It's a bit of nonsense... Bank ATM charging is zero-sum, or is if it's done right- you get charged, you charge in return. RBS have... Or had, anyway... One of the biggest ATM networks so shouldn't be finding themselves out of pocket on ATM use.
That said... I've been dealing with RBS a bit lately for our new foreign students, since I speak fluent Banker, and they do make it easier for people to get these basic accounts than some other banks. A limited free account is better than no account at all but I don't see any angry posts about those banks who just aren't interested in giving this sort of service at all.