Editing Robert Adam (section)

===Architectural practice in Edinburgh===
[[Image:Hopetoun03.JPG|thumb|250px|Entrance front of [[Hopetoun House]], designed by William Adam and modified by the Adam Brothers]]

On William Adam's death, John Adam inherited both the family business and the position of Master Mason to the Board of Ordnance. He immediately took Robert into partnership, later to be joined by James Adam. The Adam Brothers' first major commission was the decoration of the grand [[state apartments]] on the first floor at Hopetoun House, followed by their first "new build" at [[Dumfries House]]. For the Board of Ordnance, the brothers were the main contractor at [[Fort George, Highland|Fort George]], a large modern fort near [[Inverness]] designed by [[military engineer]] Colonel [[William Skinner (British Army officer)|William Skinner]]. Visits to this project, begun in 1750, would occupy the brothers every summer for the next 10 years, and, along with works at many other barracks and forts, provided Robert with a solid foundation in practical building.<ref>Fleming, pp. 85–86</ref>

In the winter of 1749–1750, Adam travelled to London with his friend, the poet [[John Home]]. He took the opportunity for architectural study, visiting [[Wilton House|Wilton]], designed by [[Inigo Jones]], and the Queens Hermitage in [[Richmond, London|Richmond]] by [[Roger Morris (1695–1749)|Roger Morris]]. His sketchbook of the trip also shows a continuing interest in [[Gothic architecture]].<ref>Fleming, p. 85</ref>

Among his friends at Edinburgh were the philosophers [[Adam Ferguson]] and [[David Hume]] and the artist [[Paul Sandby]] whom he met in the Highlands. Other Edinburgh acquaintances included Gilbert Elliot, [[William Wilkie]], John Home and [[Alexander Wedderburn, 1st Earl of Rosslyn|Alexander Wedderburn]].<ref name="Fleming81"/>