one4review | On 16, Sep 2026

This event caught me completely by surprise. Having studied Adam Smith during my university years, I suspected that a refresher on his philosophy would be enjoyable, but I never anticipated it would be quite so profound and impactful. It was also something of a revelation to discover Panmure House itself. I’m almost embarrassed to admit that I hadn’t realised it existed, despite having probably walked past it hundreds of times like countless other visitors and residents.

When I think of Adam Smith, my mind immediately goes to Kirkcaldy, the USA and, primarily, The Wealth of Nations. While I’ve encountered his other works over the years, my engagement with them was largely superficial, mostly plucking convenient quotes for essays rather than properly engaging with the ideas behind them. It seems that is a common trap we fall into with historical thinkers: reducing an entire philosophy to a handful of memorable lines and, in doing so, quite literally missing the point.

The documentary provided an excellent opportunity to reconsider Smith beyond the familiar caricature of the economist behind The Wealth of Nations. Combined with the guided tour of Panmure House, it brought both the man and his ideas into a much more tangible context. Seeing the environment in which he lived and worked added something that simply reading his books never could.

The staff and the location are enchanting, providing the perfect setting for a delightful afternoon spent respectfully exploring the home and mind of a great man. There is something particularly satisfying about being able to connect the intellectual history of Edinburgh with an actual place, rather than encountering it solely through books and lectures.

And there is clearly so much more to Adam Smith than most of us were taught: his life, his work, his philosophy, his Edinburgh residence and his profound impact on Scotland and the modern world. This experience reminded me just how easy it is to think we know a historical figure when, in reality, we know only the version that has survived in textbooks and quotations.

I came away feeling that I had not simply refreshed my knowledge of Adam Smith, but genuinely reconsidered him. That is quite an achievement for an afternoon event, and one I wasn’t expecting when I arrived.

I wholeheartedly urge anyone with even a passing interest in Scottish history, economics or philosophy to visit Panmure House whenever you have the chance. It is a fascinating piece of Edinburgh’s history hiding in plain sight, and this event provides an excellent way to discover it.

I truly hope ‘The Currency of Thought’ becomes an annual event. I would happily return, this time bringing friends and family along so that I can share the experience with them.

Five stars for an unexpectedly enlightening and genuinely memorable afternoon.
*****
Reviewed by Mike