Work to repair and conserve the historic Bute House building in Edinburgh is now complete.

More than £500,000 has been invested to restore the category A listed Georgian building, with works beginning in October and coordinated by Historic Environment Scotland.

The scheme involves stabilising and retaining the ornate plaster ceiling in the drawing room – the main public reception room in the building – and strengthening the floors above. Both traditional techniques and modern materials were used in the repairs, which have preserved for the future the unique features of the building, including the cantilevered stone staircase.

In addition, maintenance and modernisation work also took place while Bute House was closed. This included repairing faulty ventilation systems, installing heating for the first time throughout the whole building, and refurbishing the toilet facilities.

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Welcoming the completion of the work to restore Bute House, Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: "Designed by Robert Adam, Bute House forms the centrepiece of Charlotte Square and is one of the finest architectural achievements of Georgian Edinburgh.

"These necessary repairs and refurbishments mean Bute House can continue to be available for official Scottish Government business, as well as being preserved as an important historical and cultural asset for the nation.

"My thanks go to Historic Environment Scotland and the skilled team of craftsmen and women who were part of what was a complex restoration project."

Karen Williamson, District Architect at Historic Environment Scotland, said: "The Bute House project spanned many elements, including renovations to the fabric of the building as well as intricate works to the ceiling in the drawing room.

"In keeping with other buildings of this type and age, the Georgian interiors of Bute House require specialist work and craft skills, as part of its wider conservation, with a number of specialist crafts utilised throughout the period of project.

"This also meant that, as part of the wider project team, we could involve apprentices, providing a unique opportunity to work on the official residence of the First Minister."

(LM)