Bute House

Bute House
Taigh Bhòid Buit Hoose
Top: Charlotte Square elevation of Bute House (Note: the door is now black) Bottom: Plaque at the main entrance to Bute House
Former names	No. 6 Charlotte Square
General information
Status	Completed
Type	Official residence of the First Minister of Scotland and Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland
Architectural style	Neoclassical
Address	6 Charlotte Square
Town or city	Edinburgh
Country	Scotland
Coordinates	55°57′9.360″N 3°12′29.016″W / 55.95260000°N 3.20806000°W / 55.95260000; -3.20806000
Current tenants	First Minister of Scotland
Named for	The 4th Marquess of Bute
Construction started	1793; 231 years ago (1793)
Completed	1805; 219 years ago (1805)
Owner	National Trust for Scotland
Technical details
Material	Sandstone
Floor count	Five
Floor area	525.65 m2 (5,658.0 sq ft)[1]
Design and construction
Architect(s)	Robert Adam
Developer	Lord Provost and Edinburgh Town Council
Website
Official website
Listed Building – Category A
Official name	1-11 (inclusive nos) Charlotte Square with railings, lamp standards and boundary wall
Designated	3 March 1966
Reference no.	LB28502[2]

Bute House (Gaelic: Taigh Bhòid) is the official residence of the First Minister of Scotland and Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland, located within Charlotte Square in Edinburgh. Alongside two other personal offices at the Scottish Parliament Building and St. Andrew's House, Bute House also contains a smaller office used by the First Minister when in official residence.^[3]

Located at 6 Charlotte Square in the New Town, it is the central house on the north side of the square and was designed by Robert Adam. Bute House was conveyed to the National Trust for Scotland by the 6th Marquess of Bute in 1966. Between 1970 and 1999, it served as the official residence of the Secretary of State for Scotland. Since July 1999, it has been the official residence of the First Minister.^[4]

The four-storey house contains the Cabinet Room, offices and conference, reception, sitting and dining rooms where the First Minister works and where Scottish Government ministers, official visitors and guests are received and entertained. The second and third floors contain the private residence of the First Minister. As well as serving as the official residence of the First Minister, Bute House is frequently used by the First Minister to hold press conferences, media briefings, meetings of the cabinet of the Scottish Government and appointing members to the Scottish Cabinet.^[5]