Discreetly nestled away amongst the myriad high street brands in the middle of Edinburgh's busiest shopping thoroughfare, the New Club is an easy place to miss.
Scotland's oldest club, founded in 1787, is in fact slap bang in the centre of Princes Street and is passed by thousands of unsuspecting locals every day.
The New Club isn't exactly a well-kept secret, but to the untrained eye it is easily overshadowed as it blends in with its surroundings.
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But if you look closely enough, number 86 Princes Street is marked with the club's elegant logo above the door.
Exclusive to those who are friends or relatives of current members, the New Club, which was previously located at St Andrew Square before moving to Princes Street in 1837, is the oldest social club in Scotland and remains unknown to many.
Members then packed up and moved down the road to Princes Street where women were admitted in 1970 and granted a full membership in 2010. As well as members gathering to share a drink and meal, the club also offers special accommodation with views of Edinburgh Castle
According to the New Club, membership is open to anyone over the age of 18 and who is, in their own words, "clubbable". To apply to be a member you must first be proposed and seconded by two existing members whom "you know well".
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As for the cost of membership, it doesn't come cheap. The subscription fee for a town member that is working or living within 25 miles of the club between 2022/23 is £925. The maximum entrance fee is £1,155.
The club's dress code is famously strict too. A segment of the New Club's official website reads: "During weekdays, apart from where otherwise allowed by these rules, gentlemen are expected to wear a jacket and tie. Ladies should dress in business attire, elegant dress, separates or smart trousers. Jeans should not be worn.
"Casual wear, or anything else likely to cause offence to other Members, is unacceptable in any of the public rooms. Examples of which are denim-type material, tracksuits, t-shirts, shorts, leggings, sporting clothes or trainers."
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One of the reasons the New Club is so easily missed is that it's housed in a post-war build that belies the deep heritage of the club itself.
Despite a fierce campaign to save it, the handsome Italianate façade of the New Club's original Princes Street headquarters was demolished in 1967 to be replaced by Appleton Tower architect Alan Reiach's brutalist effort, which now has a Category A listing.
The interior of the New Club, however, remains soaked in tradition. Oak-panelled walls, luxurious woven carpets and red leather furnishings retain the exclusive and conservative vibe that one would associate with a private members-only club of this calibre in the centre of Edinburgh.
In a 2004 interview, a source from within the club gave the public a taste of what would-be members could expect - even mentioning how they'd be part of an exclusive retreat enjoyed by the late Edinburgh acting legend Sean Connery.
The source said: “The New Club has always been home from home. What is interesting is that the club today is still going strong, and that is because it still offers the ultimate retreat and last word in discretion. Many members are related to those who joined from previous generations.
“Why else does Sir Sean Connery stay there when he’s in Edinburgh and still feel very happy to muck in and join other members at the club table?
“The membership numbers have never been higher, and lots of younger ones are signing up - whatever the allure of other new clubs on the block”.
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