Bute House

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Bute House is the official residence of the First Minister of Scotland, who is the head of the Scottish Executive, the country's devolved government created in 1999. It is located at 6 Charlotte Square, in Edinburgh's new town, and is the central house on the north side of the square, designed by the Scots architect Robert Adam.

The land for No 6 was sold in 1792 to Mr Orlando Hart, an Edinburgh shoemaker, for £290. In 1806, Sir John Sinclair, Bart. of Ulbster bought the house for £2,950.

The house was sold again in 1816 and a little over a century later, having changed hands several times, it became the property of the 4th Marquess of Bute. In 1966, the house, together with Nos 5 and 7, was conveyed to the National Trust for Scotland in lieu of duty on the estate of the 5th Marquess who had died in 1956.

Bute House is not owned by the Scottish Executive, but remains in the ownership of the National Trust for Scotland, a charitable organisation dedicated to looking after historic buildings and sites of natural significance across the country. From 1970 onwards, after the House was refurbished after its previous owners had given it and two adjoining houses to the National Trust, Bute House became the grace-and-favour residence in Edinburgh of the Secretary of State for Scotland, the UK Government minister charged with looking after Scotland's interests in Westminster, who remained as resident in it until devolution in 1999. In 1999, it was reported that the Secretary of State for Scotland was to receive the house next door, No. 7, also owned by the National Trust for Scotland, but that house is not occupied by the Secretary of State and it was probably just media hype preceding devolution.^{[citation needed]}

It is the setting for the weekly meeting of the Scottish Executive's Cabinet, which meets in what used to be the Secretary of State's study. The First Minister also greets dignitaries, and holds ministerial receptions and press conferences. The present incumbent of the position, Jack McConnell MSP uses Bute House as his weekday home, staying in his constituency at the weekend. Also located in the building is a private study as well as offices, kitchens and overnight accommodation. It is also where, like the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street, the First Minister makes press conferences and employs and dismisses Executive ministers.