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Adam Smith’s Panmure House

26 September 2026 (10:00 - 15:00)

27 September 2026 (10:00 - 15:00)

Edinburgh

In Person

2026 Theme

Panmure House is the final remaining home of Adam Smith, philosopher and 'father of modern economics.'

Originally built in 1691, Smith occupied the House between 1778 and 1790, during which time he completed the final editions of his master works: The Theory of Moral Sentiments and The Wealth of Nations. Other great luminaries and thinkers of the Scottish Enlightenment visited Smith regularly at the House across this period.

During these visits they would dine and debate over the biggest issues of their time, and exchange ideas which likely contributed to the society we live in today. Smith held a vast library collection at Panmure House which encompassed a wide range of disciplines, and more than 3,000 books.

In 2008, Edinburgh Business School & Heriot-Watt University undertook to rescue this historic building from dereliction and was formally opened in 2018. Today the house is a centre of excellence for the study of contemporary economics, a place of reflection on the legacy of Adam Smith, and a venue for social and economic debate. Today the house is a centre of excellence for the study of contemporary economics, a place of reflection on the legacy of Adam Smith, and an intellectual property for social and economic debate. The House features a partially restored Smith Library containing a selection of titles that directly influenced Smith.

Activities:

Visitors will have the chance to explore the House at their own pace and appreciate the comprehensive restoration that has revived it to its original charm, reflecting the era when Smith resided here, while seamlessly incorporating modern amenities.

Special items on display includes a first edition of The Wealth of Nations and a visual timeline of Panmure House’s history, restoration and purpose today.

This year's Doors Open Days theme is Heritage at Risk: Revive, Resist, Reimagine. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore the building's rich architectural history and learn how the House was carefully restored to its original structure, preserving and restoring as much of its authentic design as possible.

We will have a visual timeline (information/images) of the history of Panmure House, including its rescue from dereliction to meticulously restore the House to its former glory and to honour its historical importance.