Copeland House, (former Astronomer's House) The Royal Observatory, Observatory Road, Edinburgh

W W Robertson of HM Office of Works, 1892-94. 2-storey, 3-bay asymmetrical classical house built for the Astronomer Royal as part of a group of buildings forming the Royal Observatory on Blackford Hill. Cream sandstone ashlar. Base course, pilasters flanking window openings, dividing band course, dentilled eaves and cornice.

The north (entrance) elevation has a central doorway with panelled door and plate glass fanlight, flanking pilasters, dentilled cornice and carved panel to doorpiece; single window at the 1st floor above and to both floors in a recessed bay to the outer right. 3-light bowed window to the ground floor outer left with dentilled cornice and balustraded parapet; bipartite window at the 1st floor above.

To the east there is a full height, 4-light canted window to the outer right with dentilled cornice between floors; single windows at both floors of the central bay; advanced tripartite window at the ground floor outer left with dentilled cornice and urn finials; bipartite window at the 1st floor above.

To the south there is an original conservatory at ground floor to gabled bay to outer right; carved bargeboards to gable; irregular fenestration.

Plate glass in timber sash and case windows. Grey slate piended roof; coped wallhead stacks.

The interior of the building was seen in 2015 and retains largely the original floor plan of the former house where the rooms are now used as office accommodation. The interior has timber and glazed doors and an arched detail to the main entrance hall. The staircase handrail is a later alteration and appears to date to circa 1930.