Scotland Office, Government department building in City of Westminster, United Kingdom.
Dover House is an office building featuring Georgian architecture in City of Westminster that serves as the London headquarters of the Secretary of State for Scotland. Designed by James Paine, the structure sits on Whitehall and handles coordination between the UK Government and the Scottish Government on matters reserved for Westminster.
The office grew from the Scottish Office established in 1885 and was reshaped after the 1999 devolution when the Scottish Government gained its own powers. Since then, the London office has focused on matters that remain under the control of the UK Government.
The building is known as Dover House, a name that reflects its long role in managing Scottish affairs from the capital. Visitors notice the refined Georgian facade, which embodies the historical connection between Scotland's governance and the central London government.
The building sits among other government offices on Whitehall and is easily accessible by public transport. Visitors should know that this is an active government office where access may be restricted.
The building began as a private mansion before later becoming a government office, which explains its refined Georgian interior. This conversion happened long before purpose-built government centers were constructed.
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