Damp and crumbling, welcome to Bute House
Residence of First Minister in sorry state
IT is the magnificent Georgian townhouse where Scotland’s First Minister plays host to world leaders and dignitaries.
Yet for all its historic grandeur, Nicola Sturgeon’s official residence has been beset with a catalogue of problems that would give most homeowners nightmares.
A report into the condition of Bute House, obtained by The Scottish Mail on Sunday, highlights the extensive work needed to prevent it falling into a state of disrepair.
From damp in the basement to problems with the stairwell cupola, the custodians at Historic Environment Scotland (HES) have drawn up a daunting to-do list.
As well as new carpets required throughout the building, the kitchen needs a refit and the second-floor study is overdue for redecoration.
Ms Sturgeon moved out of Bute House in October because of urgent work needed to repair the cracks in the drawing room ceiling and cornicing.
The Scottish Government refused to say where in Edinburgh’s New Town she is currently living or how much the repairs are expected to cost.
However, documents released to The Scottish Mail on Sunday, through Freedom of Information, show the drawing room repairs are the tip of the iceberg.
The Government has refused to say how many of the jobs listed in a 2016 HES Trustees’ Report had since been completed, and at what cost. However, the documents show HES requested £287,000 in April last year for ‘household and material costs’.
The trustees’ report also revealed plans for a redecoration of the stairwell from the basement to the cupola, with detailed plasterwork, renewed carpet underlay and polished stair rods, and the redecoration of lift lobbies all needed.
Plans were also outlined for masonry work on the garage window sills, redecoration of the second-floor study and new carpets.
The Bute House kitchen requires new stainless steel units, shelving and floor vinyl. Work was ongoing to make sure internal doors were fire-resistant, and they also needed new security locks ‘in keeping with existing ironmongery’.
The report also contains a ‘look forward to 2017 and 2018’, which reveals work was already planned for the drawing room.
The list of work required in future also included specialist decoration repairs, an investigation of condensation at basement window level, storage feasibility study at attic level, a review of electrical services, including emergency lighting, a separate review of security and resilience and a building accessibility assessment.
Bute House, in Charlotte Square, contains a flat for the First Minister when she is in Edinburgh.
Designed by Robert Adam, the four-storey house also contains the Cabinet Room, offices and receptions for official functions.
It is not just the bricks and mortar that is in need of work. Bute House is famous for its Scottish
‘It is essential that it is properly maintained’
artwork, some of which had to be put in storage before work on the ceiling could take place.
Clocks are also due to be brought back into use and there are longterm plans for the ‘conservation of the Barnsley sideboard’.
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: ‘Bute House is one of the final projects overseen by celebrated Georgian architect Robert Adam and is a key part of the New Town World Heritage Site. As responsible custodians, it is essential that it is properly maintained.’