At this time, his father was writing a description of Angus, and preparing a map to accompany the book, entitled Angusia, Provincia Scotiae.
[2] He drew up plans for Melville House in Fife, where Bruce was also involved, and where James Smith served as main contractor and designer.
[2] Edward's first architectural commission came from James Maule, 4th Earl of Panmure, for the reconstruction of Brechin Castle as a country seat, on which he worked from 1696 to 1708.
Edward was charged with visiting country seats in England, including Chatsworth and Castle Howard, before meeting various well-known craftsmen in London.
His main aim was to collect material on the most up-to-date architectural styles, as well as observing land improvements, water works, mines and other projects.
[2] He bought plans, made sketches and took notes, building up a large collection of material, which several of his patrons attempted to secure on Edward's death.
[10] Another, more secret, purpose to his journey was to convey coded letters from the Duke of Hamilton to James Stuart, the "Old Pretender", at his court-in-exile at Saint-Germain.