A collection of 34 letters from John Paterson in Edinburgh to Robert Adam's office in London discussing work in hand, together with five letters from Adam to Paterson. The Paterson letters are originals and the Adam letters are drafts or copies, of which but one appears to be in Adam's own hand. In addition there are complete drafts of or copies of parts of eleven of the Paterson letters. The letters give a fine picture of Adam's extensive practice at the end of his life when his business was almost wholly confined to Scotland, and when many commissions were being executed in the influential and intriguing 'castle style', of which Paterson himself was to become the leading exponent. There are many sidelights on the nature of Adam's architectural practice and on the conduct of his business, and something of contemporary Scottish opinion of the architect is conveyed by Paterson to his master. Commissions described - either in hand or merely projected - include, in Edinburgh and the Lothians, the University, the Bridewell, the South Bridge scheme, Charlotte Square, the Advocates Library and the College of Justice, Gosford House, Newliston House, Seton Castle and Dunbar Castle and inn. Airthrey Castle, the Johnstone mausolea at Alva and Westerkirk, surveys at Thirlestane Castle and Ninewells, as well as possible public building commissions in Glasgow (the Assembly Rooms and Trades Hall) are other works discussed.