Architects issue SOS over First Minister’s Bute House

Neil Baxter, head of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS), said plans to shift the state residence from the grand Georgian building in St Andrew Square to Governor’s House – which until recently, housed the Scottish Government’s multimedia team – would be a loss of “something special”.

Officials have launched a cost study examining the case for the controversial house move.

“From an architectural point, it would be a shame to lose the magnificent Edinburgh townhouse impact of Bute House,” said Mr Baxter. “We’d be losing something quite significant.

“I understand the pragmatic reasons of why this might be considered, but the sentimental part of me feels that having Bute House as the residence of Scotland’s First Minister is something special for its appearance”.

Historic Scotland said it was looking at a range of “potential residences” after it was revealed that civil servants are recommending the SNP leader moves to Governor’s House – a grand, 200-year-old residence adjacent to the Scottish Government’s headquarters.

Marion Williams, director of Edinburgh Civic Trust, the Cockburn Association, called for both Bute House and Governor’s House to remain occupied so they stay in “good condition” whatever the outcome of the Historic Scotland study.

She said: “It’s important these buildings are kept in use, as that’s the way they are kept in good condition. Too many historic buildings are at risk because nobody is in them.”

Historic Scotland told The Scotsman yesterday that it was “drawing-up costs” about the financial implication of moving from Bute House, for which the Scottish Government pays £70,000 to rent annually. However, the Scottish Government insisted a decision to move “would only be taken if more cost effective”.

An earlier review concluded the government would have to spend £3.5 million to bring the A-listed Georgian Bute House up to scratch.

A Historic Scotland spokeswoman said the study would be ready by the end of 2012. She added: “This is still in the very early stages and no decision has been taken.”

Mr Salmond said the government would back the cheapest option.

He said: “The civil service has it [Governor’s House] on stock. I’ve kind of got used to Bute House, but the bottom line will prevail.”

Meanwhile, the National Trust for Scotland said that it was “too early” to say whether Bute House would be sold if the First Minister moved out.

The trust said that although it owned Bute House, that supervision of the property lies with the Bute House Trustees, who would have to be consulted about a possible sale of the property.

Pete Selman, the trust’s director of property, said: “As no decision has been taken on Bute House’s future, it is too early to say what would happen.”

A legal representative of the Bute House Trustees, whose members include crossbench peer Lord Cullen of Whitekirk, declined to comment.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “No final proposal has been made and no decision taken – it would only be taken if more cost effective.

“Our aim is to reduce the costs of our estate by 25 per cent over five years. We, therefore, need to ensure our existing property is used in the most cost effective way. That is why we are considering if there is an alternative to the continued commercial rent and unavoidable expense of maintaining and refurbishing Bute House as a listed property owned by the National Trust for Scotland, but with costs falling on the public purse.”