Humza Yousaf yet to confirm date of family move as Bute House reopens after repairs

The formal residence of the First Minister has been closed since mid April

Humza Yousaf has announced he will hold a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday at Bute House after the official residence of the First Minister reopened for business after a series of repairs.

The grade A listed Georgian townhouse had been closed since mid April for work to be carried out both inside and outside.

The property in Edinburgh’s Charlotte Square has now had stonework and roof repairs completed while windows were refurbished and essential fire safety work carried out.

A general view of Bute House, the official residence of Scotland's First Minister, which has opened for business after a series of repairs. Picture: Jane Barlow/PA Wire

Speaking during a visit to Stirling on Monday, Mr Yousaf said: “I don’t think we have a date for the family to move back in confirmed yet.

“But I intend to hold Cabinet there tomorrow. It will be good to go back to Bute House.”

Costs of the work to the building, which is owned by the National Trust for Scotland, will be revealed later this year, the Scottish Government said.

The closure of the building came just weeks after Mr Yousaf became Scotland’s sixth First Minister, after Nicola Sturgeon stepped down from the role in late March.

While it has been closed, the Cabinet has been meeting in St Andrew’s House, the Scottish Government’s headquarters, with temporary living arrangements made for the First Minister during the period.