Scotland on Sunday

Its stunning art deco ambience may have been adored by Scottish Secretaries for six decades, but Jack McConnell has reached a different conclusion about his A-listed office: it's too dull. The First Minister is unimpressed by the panelling made from 16th-century walnut, the marble fireplace, globe lamps set into ceiling hollows, Deco clock, or the fine view across to Arthur's Seat. McConnell thinks the room is oppressively dark and has bagged an office across the corridor in St Andrew's House which is bigger, brighter and generally agreed to be devoid of architectural merit. Moving his seat of power at the foot of Calton Hill may have made McConnell happier, but it has led to accusations of philistinism against the First Minister