Adam Smith house plans face delay

PLANS to resurrect the building where one of Scotland's greatest thinkers spent his final years have been dealt a blow.

A 2 million attempt to turn the former home of economist Adam Smith into an education and research centre is facing a lengthy delay after being called in by the Scottish Government over plans to create a glass atrium next to the restored Panmure House, a 17th century building off the Royal Mile.

Historic Scotland inspectors warned the extension would "damage" the A-listed building.

Heriot-Watt University's business school bought the building from the council for 800,000 and envisaged it as an international centre for the study of business and economics.

A spokeswoman said: "We are disappointed with the government's decision and the consequent delay."