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 (1728-1792). The First Minister (Prìomh Mhinistear in Scots Gaelic) is the leader of Scotlands national home rule government, the Scottish Executive, which was established in 1999 along with the reconstituted Scottish Parliament. ... The Scottish Executive (Riaghaltas na h-Alba in Gaelic) is the executive arm of the Scottish Parliament. ... Edinburghs location in Scotland Edinburgh viewed from Arthurs Seat. ... Kedleston Hall. ...

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. The title of Marquess of Bute was created in the Peerage of Great Britain in 1796 for the 4th Earl of Bute (in the Peerage of Scotland). ... The National Trust for Scotland, or NTS, describes itself as The conservation charity that protects and promotes Scotlands natural and cultural heritage for present and future generations to enjoy. ...

It is not, however, owned by the Scottish Executive; it 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. The Scottish Executive (Riaghaltas na h-Alba in Gaelic) is the executive arm of the Scottish Parliament. ... The National Trust for Scotland, or NTS, describes itself as The conservation charity that protects and promotes Scotlands natural and cultural heritage for present and future generations to enjoy. ... The Secretary of State for Scotland (Rùnaire Stàite na h-Alba in Scottish Gaelic) is the chief minister in the government of the United Kingdom with responsibilites for Scotland, at the head of the Scotland Office (formerly The Scottish Office). ... The Secretary of State for Scotland (Rùnaire Stàite na h-Alba in Scottish Gaelic) is the chief minister in the government of the United Kingdom with responsibilites for Scotland, at the head of the Scotland Office (formerly The Scottish Office). ... The National Trust for Scotland, or NTS, describes itself as The conservation charity that protects and promotes Scotlands natural and cultural heritage for present and future generations to enjoy. ...

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. Jack McConnell The Right Honourable Jack Wilson McConnell (born June 30, 1960 in Irvine, Scotland) is a Scottish politician, leader of the Labour Party in Scotland and the current First Minister of Scotland. ... 10 Downing Street, commonly known as Number 10, is the most famous street address in London. ...

External links

• The Scottish Executive (http://www.scotland.gov.uk)
• The Scotland Office (http://www.scotlandoffice.gov.uk)
• The Scottish Parliament (http://www.scottish.parliament.uk)