Caldwell House - the design, construction and completion

Anthony Shaw, BSc 1974

The working relationship between Robert Adam and William Mure developed following their respective appointments to influential positions in 1761. With Adam as one of the Architects of the King’s Works and Mure as a Baron of the Scottish Exchequer they were soon to be in discussion on projects such as the Edinburgh Riding Academy. Around 1770, Adam was producing plans for Mure’s own project, Caldwell House, a new mansion on the family estate.

This book follows the development of the surrounding landscape, the formulation of the plans and the construction of Caldwell House, as well as revealing something of the relationship between architect and client. Thanks to the kind cooperation of the National Library of Scotland and the Sir John Soane’s Museum, London, much practical detail is provided. This includes copies of the various versions of Adam’s plans, extracts from correspondence and transcripts of the construction records. These records include the names of the masons and other workers, along with what they were paid and details of activities in each of the three years of the building programme.

Mure’s death in 1776 was to cast a long shadow over the project. The state of the family’s financial situation is examined including matters relating to their Edinburgh property, the sale of which would see the resumption of the project in 1790. Complete details of the contract for the finishing works are also provided. The occupation of Caldwell House by the family was finally achieved around 1793.

Further details at erdlgg.org/resources

ISBN: 9781389266478