Robert Adam Edinburgh, Architecture Image, House, Project Photo, College
Robert Adam Architecture Scotland
Scottish Classical Architect – Georgian Buildings: Information + Images
Robert Adam Architect (1728-92)
born Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland ; buried in Westminster Abbey, London
Robert Adam was not only the leading Scottish architect of the 18th century – and exponent of the Classical Georgian style – but remains Scotland’s most famous architect. He became architect to George III.
Robert Adam Architect in Scotland
photo © Adrian Welch
Register House, Edinburgh
photograph © Adrian Welch
Old College, University of Edinburgh
Old College is a building of the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. It is located on South Bridge, and presently houses parts of the University’s administration, the University of Edinburgh School of Law, and the Talbot Rice Gallery. Originally called the “New College”, it was designed by Robert to replace a number of older buildings.
This page will be developed as a resource purely on Robert Adam buildings in Scotland, the main page on this architect linked at the top of this page will aim to list all his buildings completed
Old College photo © Adrian Welch 2006
Vaulting Ambition
The Adam Brothers, Contractors to the Metropolis in the Reign of George III:
Free exhibition at Talbot Rice Gallery : Adam Brothers Exhibition, 2008
picture © Adrian Welch
Charlotte Square (north side), Edinburgh
Hopetoun House, South Queensferry, West Lothian
Robert Adam FRSE FRS FSA (Scot) FSA FRSA (3 July 1728 – 3 March 1792) was a British neoclassical architect, interior designer and furniture designer. He was the son of William Adam (1689–1748), the country’s foremost architect of the time, and trained under him. With his older brother John, Robert took on the family business, which included lucrative work for the Board of Ordnance, after William’s death.
In 1754, he left for Rome, spending nearly five years on the continent studying architecture under Charles-Louis Clérisseau and Giovanni Battista Piranesi. On his return to Britain he established a practice in London, where he was joined by his younger brother James. Here he developed the “Adam Style”, and his theory of “movement” in architecture, based on his studies of antiquity and became one of the most successful and fashionable architects in the country. Adam held the post of Architect of the King’s Works from 1761 to 1769.
Robert was a leader of the first phase of the classical revival in England and Scotland from around 1760 until his death. He influenced the development of Western architecture, both in Europe and in North America. Adam designed interiors and fittings as well as houses.
He served as the member of Parliament for Kinross-shire from 1768 to 1774.
Edinburgh Architecture
Archerfield House, east of Gulllane, East Lothian
Register House:
photo © Adrian Welch
Royal High School Building
photo © Adrian Welch
West Register House
image © Adrian Welch
Buildings / photos for the Robert Adam Architecture page welcome