Basic Biographical Details

Name: William Laidlaw Carruthers
Designation:  
Born: 9 May 1859
Died: 5 April 1914
Bio Notes: William Laidlaw Carruthers was born in Inverness on 9 May 1859, the son of Robert Carruthers and Ann Ballantyne Laidlaw. He was educated from 1874 at the newly opened Fettes College where he was later to design the sports pavilion. In 1876 he was articled to Alexander Ross of Inverness and in 1881 at the end of the apprenticeship he found a place in the office of Ernest George and Harold Ainsworth Peto. He commenced business on his own account at 39 Union Street, Inverness, in 1883 and was successful at once designing several large arts and crafts neo Tudor houses indistinguishable from those of George, challenging comparison with the very best domestic work of Burnet Son and Campbell and Thomas Lennox Watson. These secured his election as FRIBA on 7 March 1892: his proposers were George, John Belcher and John James Stevenson, a measure of the esteem in which his work was held.

Carruthers took his assistant Samuel Grant Alexander into partnership in 1901. Alexander was born in Inverness in 1875 and articled to Duncan Cameron of Inverness in 1892. While with Cameron he was resident Clerk of Works at Glenfinnan House, Inverness-shire, overseeing the additions being made there until becoming Carruthers's assistant in 1896. Alexander was admitted LRIBA on 20 March 1911, his proposers being Carruthers, Alexander Ross and Herbert Read.

The Carruthers & Alexander practice excelled in restoration work, the rebuilding of Dalcross Castle being exemplary for its date. Their later new-build work at such houses as Invertrossachs tends to be more anodyne than that of Carruthers's earlier years, but always has a distinctive understated quality.

William Laidlaw Carruthers died in Inverness on 5 April 1914 and was survived by his wife Kate Turner. He left moveable estate of £2,038 10s 6d, but probably had significant property. Alexander continued the practice after Carruthers's death, taking Carruthers's son Robert Carruthers Ballantyne into partnership.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 639, Union Street, Inverness, Inverness-shire, ScotlandBusiness1883  
Item 2 of 674, Church Street, Inverness, Inverness-shire, ScotlandBusiness1892 *  
Item 3 of 6Island Bank, Inverness, Inverness-shire, ScotlandPrivate1892 *  
Item 4 of 643, Union Street, Inverness, Inverness-shire, ScotlandBusiness1898  
Item 5 of 622, Queensgate, Inverness, Inverness-shire, ScotlandBusiness1911  
Item 6 of 617, Queen's Gate, Inverness, Inverness-shire, ScotlandBusinessBefore 19111914(?) 

* earliest date known from documented sources.

Employment and Training

Employers

The following individuals or organisations employed or trained this (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate fromDate toPositionNotes
Item 1 of 3Alexander Ross18761881Apprentice 
Item 2 of 3Ernest George & Peto18811883Assistant 
Item 3 of 3W L Carruthers & Alexander19011914Partner 

Employees or Pupils

The following individuals were employed or trained by this (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate fromDate toPositionNotes
Item 1 of 8Alexander Finlay Mackenzie1884Before 1889Assistant 
Item 2 of 8David William Kennedy18891891Assistant 
Item 3 of 8Samuel Grant Alexander18961900Assistant 
Item 4 of 8Thomas Kerr18971901Apprentice 
Item 5 of 8James Inch MorrisonAfter 18981907Senior Assistant 
Item 6 of 8Cameron MacdonaldEarly 1906 Assistant 
Item 7 of 8William John TaylorMarch 19101914 or 1915Apprentice 
Item 8 of 8William John Taylor1914 or 19151914 or 1915AssistantFor nine months after completing his apprenticeship and before military service

RIBA

RIBA Proposers

The following individuals proposed this for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 3John Belcher7 March 1892for Fellowship
Item 2 of 3Ernest George7 March 1892for Fellowship
Item 3 of 3John James Stevenson7 March 1892for Fellowship

RIBA Proposals

This proposed the following individuals for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 9Samuel Grant Alexander20 March 1911for Licentiateship
Item 2 of 9James Charles Cook4 December 1905for Associateship
Item 3 of 9John Hinton Gall20 July 1911for Licentiateship
Item 4 of 9William Edgar Gauld11 March 1895for Associateship
Item 5 of 9Laurence Kirkpatrick Hall2 March 1908for Fellowship
Item 6 of 9David William Kennedy4 December 1893for Associateship
Item 7 of 9Thomas Kerr20 July 1911for Licentiateship
Item 8 of 9Cameron Macdonald24 July 1912for Licentiateship
Item 9 of 9Donald MacDonald4 December 1911for Licentiateship

Buildings and Designs

This was involved with the following buildings or structures from the date specified (click on an item to view details):
 Date startedBuilding nameTown, district or villageIslandCity or countyCountryNotes
Item 1 of 146 Cottage at CarrbridgeCarrbridge Inverness-shireScotlandCottage for McNeill - date unknown
Item 2 of 146 Garrogie Lodge  Inverness-shireScotlandProposed alterations - date unknown
Item 3 of 146 Hawkhill HouseRosemarkie Ross and CromartyScotlandAlterations - date unknown
Item 4 of 1461883MilnfieldInverness Inverness-shireScotland 
Item 5 of 1461883ShopsInverness Inverness-shireScotland 
Item 6 of 146After 1883(?)Meallmore Shooting LodgeMoy Inverness-shireScotlandAdditions - date not known
Item 7 of 146188418 Bridge StreetInverness Inverness-shireScotlandAlterations
Item 8 of 1461884IHRV Drill Hall and HeadquartersInverness Inverness-shireScotland 
Item 9 of 1461884Tore, School and teacher's houseKillearnan Ross and CromartyScotlandAlterations to school
Item 10 of 1461885KyllachyStrathdearn Inverness-shireScotlandHouse, stables, lodges etc.
Item 11 of 1461886St Mary's RC PresbyteryInverness Inverness-shireScotland 
Item 12 of 1461887Eisken Lodge LewisRoss and CromartyScotland 
Item 13 of 1461888CarrolInverness Inverness-shireScotland 
Item 14 of 1461888Elan ParkInverness Inverness-shireScotlandAdditions
Item 15 of 1461888InvernairneNairn NairnshireScotland 
Item 16 of 1461888Mains of Drynie, farmhouse and farmstead and cottagesKilmuir Wester Ross and CromartyScotlandFarmstead
Item 17 of 1461888MarybankParkhill Ross and CromartyScotland 
Item 18 of 1461888RossalInverness Inverness-shireScotland 
Item 19 of 1461889Castella MareNairn NairnshireScotlandAdditions
Item 20 of 1461889Gruinards LodgeArdgay Ross and CromartyScotland 
Item 21 of 1461889House, Annfield RoadInverness Inverness-shireScotland 
Item 22 of 1461889Loch Rosque Lodge  Ross and CromartyScotlandAlterations and additions
Item 23 of 1461889Loch Rosque Lodge, head forrester's house  Ross and CromartyScotlandAdditions
Item 24 of 1461889Loch Rosque Lodge, Stables, kennels, offices and cottages  Ross and CromartyScotland 
Item 25 of 1461880s or 1890sAltyre SchoolMoray MorayshireScotlandDesigns
Item 26 of 1461890Calnie LodgeLoch Fannich Ross and CromartyScotland 
Item 27 of 1461890Glen Spean Lodge  Inverness-shireScotlandAdditions and alterations
Item 28 of 1461891Cluny CastleLaggan Inverness-shireScotlandAdditions and alterations (including wing and porch)
Item 29 of 1461891CottageMoy Inverness-shireScotland 
Item 30 of 1461891Craggie, (Moy Estate), cottageMoy Inverness-shireScotland 
Item 31 of 1461891House in Fairfield RoadInverness Inverness-shireScotland 
Item 32 of 1461891Inverneem (Moy Estate), cottageMoy Inverness-shireScotland 
Item 33 of 1461891Moybeg, (Moy Estate), cottageMoy Inverness-shireScotland 
Item 34 of 1461891Tordarroch (Moy Estate), cottageTordarroch Inverness-shireScotland 
Item 35 of 1461891Tulloch (Moy Estate), FarmsteadTulloch Inverness-shireScotland 
Item 36 of 1461892Board school and teacher's houseLeachkin Inverness-shireScotlandSchool
Item 37 of 1461892Dochgarroch SchoolDochgarroch Inverness-shireScotlandAdditions
Item 38 of 1461892House, Annfield RoadInverness Inverness-shireScotland 
Item 39 of 1461892LethingtonInverness Inverness-shireScotlandFor himself
Item 40 of 1461893Cullachy House  Inverness-shireScotlandAdditions
Item 41 of 1461893Culloden Board SchoolCulloden Inverness-shireScotlandAddition
Item 42 of 1461893House, Dores RoadInverness Inverness-shireScotland 
Item 43 of 1461893St Mary's RC ChurchInverness Inverness-shireScotlandAdditions and alterations (Huntly Street), including altar and reredos (Advice by P P Pugin)
Item 44 of 1461893Strathmashie Lodge  Inverness-shireScotlandAddtions and alterations
Item 45 of 146c. 1893Dell FarmhouseDell Morayshire/Inverness-shire?Scotland 
Item 46 of 1461894Beechtree CottageInverness Inverness-shireScotlandAdditions
Item 47 of 1461894Board school and teacher's houseLeachkin Inverness-shireScotlandTeacher's house
Item 48 of 1461894Culcabock SchoolCulcabock Inverness-shireScotlandAdditions
Item 49 of 1461894Drynie, coachman's house  Inverness-shireScotland 
Item 50 of 1461894KyllachyStrathdearn Inverness-shireScotlandAdditions
Item 51 of 1461894Mains of Drynie, farmhouse and farmstead and cottagesKilmuir Wester Ross and CromartyScotlandRebuilding of farmhouse
Item 52 of 146189524-26 Crown DriveInverness Inverness-shireScotland 
Item 53 of 1461895Blairs HouseAltyre, near Forres MorayshireScotland 
Item 54 of 1461895Brin, StablesBrin Inverness-shireScotland 
Item 55 of 1461895Clifton LodgeInverness Inverness-shireScotlandAddition
Item 56 of 1461895Culduthel School and teacher's houseInverness Inverness-shireScotlandTeacher's house
Item 57 of 1461895HouseMunlochy Ross and CromartyScotlandAdditions
Item 58 of 1461895House near the site of the Farina Mill buildingsNairn NairnshireScotland 
Item 59 of 1461895Island Bank HouseInverness Inverness-shireScotlandAdditions
Item 60 of 1461895Public laundryStrathpeffer Ross and CromartyScotland 
Item 61 of 1461895St Stephen's ChurchInverness Inverness-shireScotland 
Item 62 of 1461895Strathbroom, stables  Ross and CromartyScotland 
Item 63 of 146c. 1895Altyre ParsonageAltyre MorayshireScotland 
Item 64 of 146c. 1895Bernera Cottage  MorayshireScotlandHS attribution - alterations?
Item 65 of 146c. 1895Blairs Home FarmAltyre MorayshireScotlandHS attribution for addition
Item 66 of 146c. 1895Duisdale HouseIsleornsaySkyeInverness-shireScotlandAdditions
Item 67 of 146c. 1895Glenferness House  NairnshireScotlandAddition
Item 68 of 146c. 1895House at BroraBrora SutherlandScotland 
Item 69 of 146c. 1895Moy HallMoy and Dalarossie Inverness-shireScotlandAddition
Item 70 of 146c. 1895NetherdaleInverness Inverness-shireScotland 
Item 71 of 146189636 King StreetInverness Inverness-shireScotland 
Item 72 of 1461896Bunchrew House and offices  Inverness-shireScotlandAlterations and additions (dining room wing to west)
Item 73 of 1461896Castlecraig Farm Steading and servants' cottagesNigg Ross and CromartyScotlandFarm servants' cottages
Item 74 of 1461896Daviot Parish ChurchDaviot Inverness-shireScotlandAlterations
Item 75 of 1461896Dunlichity Lodge  Inverness-shireScotlandAdditions and alterations
Item 76 of 1461896Glenshero Lodge  Inverness-shireScotlandAdditions and alterations
Item 77 of 1461896House and shopBeauly Inverness-shireScotland 
Item 78 of 1461896House, Old Edinburgh RoadInverness Inverness-shireScotlandAdditions and alterations
Item 79 of 1461896InveroichFort Augustus Inverness-shireScotlandAdditions
Item 80 of 1461896Sherramore Lodge  Inverness-shireScotlandAdditions
Item 81 of 1461896Sherramore Lodge, farmbuildings  Inverness-shireScotlandConversion of farm buildings into ancillary buildings for the lodge
Item 82 of 1461896St Joseph's RC SchoolInverness Inverness-shireScotlandAdditions and alterations
Item 83 of 1461897Block of buildings, EastgateInverness Inverness-shireScotland 
Item 84 of 1461897Coignafearn Shooting Lodge and officesStrathdearn Inverness-shireScotlandRebuilding?
Item 85 of 1461897Dalcross Castle  Inverness-shireScotlandReroofing and internal remodelling from ruins
Item 86 of 1461897Loch Rosque Estate   Ross and CromartyScotlandplans for mansion
Item 87 of 1461898Block of buildings, Church StreetInverness Inverness-shireScotland 
Item 88 of 1461898Cromarty Free Church and HallCromarty Ross and CromartyScotlandAlterations and hall
Item 89 of 1461898HouseBeauly Inverness-shireScotland 
Item 90 of 1461898Kyle House SkyeInverness-shireScotlandAdditions
Item 91 of 1461898Roy Bridge HotelLochaber Inverness-shireScotlandAdditions and alterations
Item 92 of 1461899Balavil HouseKingussie Inverness-shireScotlandPorch and other alterations
Item 93 of 1461899Old High ChurchInverness Inverness-shireScotlandAlterations - vestry on south face, dormer windows and fleche etc
Item 94 of 146190060-62 Midlands RoadInverness Inverness-shireScotland 
Item 95 of 1461900Balavil Arms HotelNewtonmore Inverness-shireScotlandAdditions (complete reconstruction?)
Item 96 of 1461900Castle TolmieInverness Inverness-shireScotland 
Item 97 of 1461900Glenshero Lodge  Inverness-shireScotlandStables
Item 98 of 146c. 1900Altyre House  MorayshireScotlandAdditions
Item 99 of 146c. 1900CallartNetherlochaber ArgyllScotlandBallroom wing added
Item 100 of 146c. 1900Dunbar's HospitalInverness Inverness-shireScotlandAlterations
Item 101 of 146c. 1900Maryfield, Midmills RoadInverness Inverness-shireScotlandWing added
Item 102 of 146c. 1900Strathvaich Shooting Lodge  Ross and CromartyScotlandAdditions
Item 103 of 146c. 1900Tannery BuildingsInverness Inverness-shireScotlandAlterations and additions
Item 104 of 146c. 1900Wardend CottagesAltyre MorayshireScotland 
Item 105 of 1461901Dallas Lodge and estate buildings  MorayshireScotlandAdditions, new stables and cottages
Item 106 of 1461901Dunmaglass Shooting LodgeDunmaglass Inverness-shireScotlandAdditions and cottage
Item 107 of 1461901Offices and shops, 15-45 QueensgateInverness Inverness-shireScotland 
Item 108 of 1461901Royal Bank of ScotlandInverness Inverness-shireScotland 
Item 109 of 1461901Villa for Miss BurgessKincraig Inverness-shireScotland 
Item 110 of 146After 1901(?)Belladrum House and lodge and farm cottagesBeauly Inverness-shireScotlandAdditions and alterations
Item 111 of 146c. 1901Inshes HouseInverness Inverness-shireScotlandAdditions and alterations
Item 112 of 1461902Beldorney HouseNairn NairnshireScotland 
Item 113 of 1461902Board school and teacher's houseLeachkin Inverness-shireScotlandAdditions and teacher's house
Item 114 of 1461902House for Col F F MacKenzieNairn NairnshireScotland 
Item 115 of 1461902Ladycairn School  Inverness-shire?Scotland 
Item 116 of 1461902Tweed MillInverness Inverness-shireScotlandAdditions and alterations
Item 117 of 1461903Board school and teacher's houseLeachkin Inverness-shireScotlandAdditions
Item 118 of 1461903Easter Altourie (Abriachan), School  Inverness-shireScotland 
Item 119 of 1461903Northcote HouseWick CaithnessScotlandConversion into hospital and addition of new wing
Item 120 of 1461904Auchindrean (Lochbroom or Braemore Estate), SteadingLochbroom Ross and CromartyScotlandRebuilding of steading
Item 121 of 1461904Buildings, Dempster GardensInverness Inverness-shireScotlandRestoration of buildings destroyed by fire
Item 122 of 1461904Dalarossie Parish ChurchDalarossie Inverness-shireScotlandAlterations
Item 123 of 1461904Dalvey House, home farmMoy MorayshireScotlandChauffeur's cottage
Item 124 of 1461904Kinrara HouseAlvie Inverness-shireScotlandAlterations
Item 125 of 1461905Eilean Aigas House  Inverness-shireScotlandAlterations
Item 126 of 1461905House for BuckleyBrora SutherlandScotland 
Item 127 of 1461905Tote Lodge SkyeInverness-shireScotlandAlterations and additions
Item 128 of 1461906Fettes College Cricket Pavilion  EdinburghScotland 
Item 129 of 1461907Allangrange House  Ross and CromartyScotlandExtensions and extensive recasting
Item 130 of 1461908Alvie LodgeAlvie Inverness-shireScotland 
Item 131 of 1461908Gallovie, factor's house and other buildingsLaggan Inverness-shireScotland 
Item 132 of 1461908Moy LodgeMoy Inverness-shireScotland 
Item 133 of 1461909Moy HallMoy and Dalarossie Inverness-shireScotlandAlterations?
Item 134 of 1461910Culcabock SchoolCulcabock Inverness-shireScotlandAdditions and alterations
Item 135 of 1461910House at DelniesNairn NairnshireScotland 
Item 136 of 1461911Achnagairn (Clunes Estate)  Inverness-shireScotlandAdditions and alterations
Item 137 of 1461911Drumduan HouseForres MorayshireScotlandProposed alterations with Alexander
Item 138 of 1461911Raigbeg, School and schoolhouseTomatin Inverness-shireScotlandTechnical instruction room
Item 139 of 146191248 Culduthel RoadInverness Inverness-shireScotland 
Item 140 of 1461912Invertrossachs  PerthshireScotlandRebuilding - work executed by John Watherston & Sons, builders
Item 141 of 1461912Roy Bridge HotelLochaber Inverness-shireScotlandAlterations and additions
Item 142 of 1461913Pitmains HouseKingussie Inverness-shireScotland 
Item 143 of 1461914Carnock, three stalker's cottages  Ross and CromartyScotland 
Item 144 of 1461914CluneTomatin Inverness-shireScotlandWith Alexander
Item 145 of 1461914Killalan, estate servants' bothyLochalsh Ross and CromartyScotland 
Item 146 of 1461914Mackinnon Memorial HospitalBroadfieldSkyeInverness-shireScotland 

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 3Measurers\' Companion1911The Scottish Architects' and Measurers' Companion   
Item 2 of 3The Fettes College Register1970The Fettes College Register: Centenary Edition, 1870 to 1970 Edinburgh 
Item 3 of 3Who's Who in Architecture1914    

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 1RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert MuseumRIBA Nomination Papers F v11 p99, microfiche 112/E3