Located on the north side of Charlotte Square in Edinburgh's New Town, the Georgian House is an example of an 18th-century merchant's house built in the Neo-Classical architectural style synonymous with Robert Adam (1728-92). Although Charlotte Square had been laid out by Adam, he did not live to see building begin. Rather the individual houses were designed by various builders, in this case Edward Butterworth, although conforming strictly to Adam's overall plan. Dating from 1796, the Georgian House is an example of the housing built for those who could afford to move from the squalor of the Old Town. Bought originally by John Lamont of Lamont, it became a town house for the Farquharsons of Invercauld (1816-45) and then home of the advocate Lord Neaves until 1889. It was purchased by John Crichton-Stuart, the 4th Marquis of Bute (1881 - 1947) in the 20th century and has been owned by the National Trust for Scotland since 1966.
Restored and furnished by the Trust (1974-75) prior to being opened to the public, the interior of the Georgian House is replete with china, silver, paintings and furniture which reflect the domestic and social conditions prevalent at the time it was built. The upper floors are used by the Moderator of the Church of Scotland as his official residence.
