Law firm fork out £1.3million for premises

fought against closure of branches in her constituency, said: “I’m incredulous that more branches have been sold. That’s more branches lost forever. And it’s RBS getting £ 2million for buildings which were parts of communities. “None of the communities have exercised their right to buy these properties. They are now in private ownership – so that’s them gone forever. “It just means there’s no chance for anything to be salvaged from the wreckage of RBS pulling out of these communities.” Former outlets at Newburgh, Cowdenbeath and Leven, in Fife, were sold on Wednesday for a total of £ 259,000. Branches a t S t o n e h a v en a nd Grangemouth raised a further £ 349,000. The star lot was the premises at Blenheim Place i n Edi nburgh . It ’ s understood 200 inqui r ies were made about the branch pre-auction.

Four bidders competed for the property – which had a starting price of £ 700,000 – before being outbid by McEwan.

The two- storey Grade A listed Georgian building is situated in a prime spot near Edinburgh Playhouse and just 500 yards from Waverley station.

The other branches were sold to private bidders whose identity was not disclosed.

Some of the branches retain ATM machines – for which RBS will pay thousands in rent to the new owners.

Two further branches – at Buck ie , Banf f shi re , and Banchory, Kincardineshire – went unsold after failing to