Larger versions of these images are located at the foot of the page. Basic Biographical Details Name: | James Alexander Arnott | Designation: | Architect | Born: | 1871 | Died: | 2 September 1950 | Bio Notes: | James Alexander Arnott was born in 1871, the son of George Arnott, builder, and Ann Soutar Macintosh. He attended Edinburgh University, studing Classics for a year, but abandoned the course for architecture. He was then articled to John Russell Walker from 1886 to 1889, and subsequently to Kinnear & Peddie, remaining as assistant until 1898: according to Ebenezer James MacRae he 'never ceased to acknowledge the influence of Peddie in his training'. While with Peddie he attended the Edinburgh School of Design in the Royal Institution, Heriot-Watt College and the School of [Applied?] Art. In 1898 he transferred to Dunn & Findlay, who were then under pressure with the commission for the Scotsman buildings in North Bridge, Edinburgh; later he was to have a hand in the Wesleyan Halls at Tollcross but in 1904 he moved to the office of Hippolyte Jean Blanc. He travelled for study in Belgium and France. Later Norway was to 'cast a spell over him' according to MacRae. In 1907 he published the folio volume on the Petit Trianon of Louis XV at Versailles, with John Wilson who had become a close friend while in Peddie's office.
Arnott commenced independent practice in 1908 in Edinburgh, sharing an office with a former colleague at Dunn & Findlay's, James Inch Morrison, at 21 York Place, with a partnership in view. Although the obituaries of neither Arnott nor Morrison mention a formal partnership at this time, between 1907 and 1910, they did win the competition for the Charlotte Street Baptist Chapel together in 1908. If a partnership did exist, clearly for Arnott the attraction of taking over Sydney Mitchell's practice and the ability of Ernest Arthur Auldjo Jamieson to fund it was too great for the Arnott/Morrison alliance to last. The partnership of Jamieson & Arnott was founded in 1910 or 1911, the Sydney Michell & Wilson name being retained as a sub-head on their stationery.
Surprisingly, given his background, Arnott did not take the qualifying exam but was admitted LRIBA in 1910, his proposers being Blanc, Dunn and Thomas Lennox Watson. He was elected FRIBA in 1920, proposed by William Thomas Oldrieve, John Wilson, and Alexander Lorne Campbell.
Arnott was Vice-President of the Edinburgh Architectural Association in 1930-31 and its President from 1932 to 1934, and served on the Education Committee of the Royal Incorporation and the local Chapter. He had a lifelong association with the Barclay Church, serving on the fabric committee and designing the war memorial.
After Jamieson's retirement in 1935 (or possibly 1936) Arnott at first worked alone for a short period, but he soon entered into partnership with James Inch Morrison, the practice becoming Arnott & Inch Morrison, as planned thirty years earlier. After Morrison's death on 25 September 1944 Arnott continued the practice, assisted by John Denoon (Ian) Carnegie.
Arnott, who had become a widower in 1939, worked right up to his death at 7 Mansionhouse Road on 2 September 1950. He left £14,114 2s 4d.
Publication (with John Wilson FRIBA): Le Petit Trianon, Marie Antoinette's Palace Ar Versailles'.
| Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this architect: | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes |  | 84, George Street, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | | | |  | 32, Morningside Road, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private/business | 1903 * | 1908 | House and office |  | 32, Morningside Road, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private | 1908 | 1913 | |  | 21, York Place, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | 1909 | 1910 | |  | 13, Young Street, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | 1912 | After 1930 | |  | 76, Warrender Park Road, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private | 1913(?) | 1925 | |  | 7, Mansionhouse Road, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private | c. 1925 | c. 1950 | |  | 64, Frederick Street, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | 1935 or 1936 | 1937 | With Inch Morriosn |  | 24, Duke Street, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | 1938 * | | With Inch Morrison |  | 50, Queen Street, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private/business(?) | 1950 * | | |
* earliest date known from documented sources.
Employment and TrainingEmployersEmployees or PupilsThe following individuals were employed or trained by this architect (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date from | Date to | Position | Notes |  | Thomas ('Tom') Bertram | 1909(?) | 1910 or 1911(?) | Apprentice | It is unclear whether Bertram commenced his apprenticeship with Jamieson or Arnott, but he continued in the firm of Jamieson & Arnott after the two entered into partnership in 1910 or 1911. |
RIBARIBA ProposersRIBA Proposals
Buildings and DesignsThis architect was involved with the following buildings or structures from the date specified (click on an item to view details): | | Date started | Building name | Town, district or village | Island | City or county | Country | Notes |  | | Bakehouse Close and Reids Close | High Street | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Restoration - date unknown |  | | Country Houses | | | | Scotland | Dates and locations unknown |  | | George Heriot's Hospital | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Restoration of NW stair tower - date unknown |  | 1891(?) | Fife and Kinross District Asylum | Springfield, Cupar | | Fife | Scotland | as assistant to Kinnear & Peddie |  | 1898(?) | Caledonian Hotel | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Formation of hotel over station, incorporating Kinnear & Peddie's Caledonian Station - prepared drawings, as assistant to Peddie & Washington Browne |  | 1898(?) | London County Hall | | | London | England | Competition design- as assistant to Hippolyte Jean Blanc |  | 1898 | Wesleyan Methodist Mission Halls | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | As principal assistant to Dunn & Findlay |  | 1899 | Arbroath Infectious Diseases Hospital | Arbroath | | Angus | Scotland | Competition design - unsuccessful |  | 1899 | Scotsman Buildings | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | As principal assistant to Dunn & Findlay |  | 1904(?) | Bangour Village Asylum | Uphall | | West Lothian | Scotland | Asylum - as assistant to Hippolyte Jean Blanc |  | 1908 | Charlotte Street Baptist Chapel | New Town | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Won commission through competition - not in partnership but working as 'joint architect' |  | 1908(?) | Kirkwall Cathedral | Kirkwall | Mainland | Orkney | Scotland | Competition design for restoration - as assistant to Hippolyte Jean Blanc |  | 1909 | Little Church in the Field | Gorgie/Dalry | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Alterations and additions for the Baptist congregation - as 'joint architect' with Morrison |  | 1910 | Woodthorpe, House, Cottage and Laundry | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Additions at rear |  | After 1910 | 6 Oswald Road | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Instructed Scott Morton & Co on interior work |  | 1911 | Crichton Royal Institution, male convalescent ward | Dumfries | | Dumfriesshire | Scotland | |  | 1911 | Crichton Royal Institution, male observation villa | Dumfries | | Dumfriesshire | Scotland | |  | 1911 | Crichton Royal Institution, women's observation villa | Dumfries | | Dumfriesshire | Scotland | |  | 1911 | Lennoxlove | Lennoxlove | | East Lothian | Scotland | Alterations, including work on outhouses, including coachhouse etc |  | After 1911 | Craighouse | Craiglockhart | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Took over from Sydney Mitchell & Wilson after 1911 (but may have been responsible for work before this) |  | c. 1911 | Commercial Bank, Dalkeith | Dalkeith | | Midlothian | Scotland | |  | c. 1912 | Royal Victoria Hospital Farm Colony | Polton | | Midlothian | Scotland | |  | 1914 | Greenfield House | Alloa | | Clackmannanshire | Scotland | Alterations (still trading as Sydney Mitchell & Wilson) |  | c. 1914 | Sanatorium and Farm Colony for Tuberculosis, Hairmyres | East Kilbride | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Cottages near road/and/or near farm, also male & female pavilions, children's pavilion, observation block, administration block, farm buildings, laundry and power house, gate lodge and doctor's residence |  | 1915 | Rosebery House | | | Midlothian | Scotland | Additions |  | c. 1919 | Housing for Midlothian County Council | Stow | | Midlothian | Scotland | |  | c. 1919 | Newbyth, stables and offices | Newbyth | | East Lothian | Scotland | Alterations |  | Before 1920 | Chapel for the Earl of Rosebery | | | | Scotland | |  | Before 1920 | Memorial Gateway for Lord Tweedmouth | | | Berwickshire | Scotland | |  | Before 1920 | Royal College of Physicians | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Decoration of hall |  | c. 1920 | 2 Randolph Cliff | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Internal alterations |  | c. 1920 | Housing for Midlothian County Council | Inveresk | | Midlothian | Scotland | |  | c. 1920 | Housing for Midlothian County Council | Roslin/Rosslyn | | Midlothian | Scotland | |  | c. 1920 | Royal Hospital for Sick Children | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Alterations |  | c. 1921 | Cargilfield School | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Memorial hall and alterations. Also cricket pavilion (1929) |  | c. 1921 | Housing for Midlothian County Council | Gorebridge | | Midlothian | Scotland | |  | 1922 | Cardross House and stables | | | Perthshire | Scotland | |  | 1922 | Milton Lodge and stables | North Berwick | | East Lothian | Scotland | Alterations and additions |  | 1922 | Royal Naval Airship Station | East Fortune | | East Lothian | Scotland | Alterations to convert Airship Station to hospital |  | 1922 | Southfield House | Liberton | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Children's pavilion and other alterations |  | 1923 | Allanton House | | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Alterations |  | 1923 | Cargilfield School, Library and chapel block | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | c. 1923 | Arntomy House | | | Perthshire | Scotland | Alterations |  | c. 1923 | Edinburgh Royal Lunatic Asylum | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Alterations - verandahs, kitchen etc |  | c. 1923 | House in Barnton Avenue West | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | c. 1923 | Large Public Building | | | | | Scheme - not executed? |  | Before 1924 | Craigleith House | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Alterations |  | c. 1924 | Royal Victoria Hospital, dispensary | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | 1925 | Astley Ainslie Hospital | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | New ward blocks |  | 1925 | Astley Ainslie Hospital, Nurses' Home | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | After 1925 | Lochgilphead District Asylum for the Insane | Lochgilphead | | Argyll | Scotland | New blocks added |  | c. 1925 | Busby Glen Park, gates and gatepiers and gates to lodge house | Busby | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Although Lorimer produced design, commission went to Jamieson & Arnott, practising under the name of Sydney Mitchell & Wilson |  | c. 1926 | Vogrie House | Borthwick | | Midlothian | Scotland | Conversion to nurses' home |  | 1928 | George Watson's College | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Competition design - not selected, but awarded 100-guinea premium |  | 1928 | Pittencrieff Park, Louise Carnegie Memorial Gates and railings, paths, walls etc | Dunfermline | | Fife | Scotland | Won competition to secure job |  | 1928 | Scottish Life Assurance Co | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Alterations |  | c. 1928 | Astley Ainslie Hospital | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Further alterations and additions, including scientific block (1929) and sentry pavilions (1932) |  | c. 1928 | Engineer's house | North Berwick | | East Lothian | Scotland | |  | c. 1930 | Rosebank Cemetery, Memorial tablet for Sir Arthur Mitchell | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | c. 1930 | Sanatorium and Farm Colony for Tuberculosis, Hairmyres | East Kilbride | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Further work |  | c. 1930 | Warriston Cemetery, Memorial to Sydney Mitchell | Warriston | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | c. 1931 | Gullane Free Church and church hall | Gullane | | East Lothian | Scotland | Alterations? |  | 1932 | Astley Ainslie Hospital, Lodges in Canaan Lane | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | 1932 | Astley Ainslie Hospital, Lodges in Grange Loan | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | 1932 | United Free Church Offices | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Extensions - eastern addition; balancing western addition planned but not built; enlargement required as a result of the Union of 1929 |  | 1933 | Cramond Free Church | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Alterations to hall |  | 1933 | Davidson's Mains Parish Church Hall | Davidson's Mains | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | 1933 | Lennoxlove | Lennoxlove | | East Lothian | Scotland | Alterations |  | 1933 | Lennoxlove garden gateway | | | East Lothian | Scotland | |  | 1934 | Morningside Asylum, Jordanburn Lecture Hall, West House | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | c. 1934 | Royal Naval Airship Station | East Fortune | | East Lothian | Scotland | Superintendent's house and nurses' home |  | 1936 | 46 Frogston Road West | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Presumably supervised construction; HS lists the building as 'by James A Arnott for Colcutt and Hemp' [sic] |  | 1939 | Cottages, Tyninghame Estate | Tyninghame | | East Lothian | Scotland | |  | 1950 | Whitecraigs Church | Inveresk | | Midlothian | Scotland | Cannot have overseen construction as he died in 1950. |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this architect: | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes |  | Architectural Heritage | | | | | Article, no2, 1991, pp98-108 |  | British Architectural Library, RIBA | 2001 | Directory of British Architects 1834-1914 | | | |  | Glendinning, M, MacInnes, R and MacKechnie, A | 1996 | A History of Scottish Architecture | | | List of works, etc. |  | Johnston, W T | 2003 | Artists of Scotland | | Officina Publications CDROM | |  | RIBA | 1950 | The RIBA Kalendar 1950-1951 | | London: Royal Institute of British Architects | |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this architect: | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes |  | Builder | 29 September 1950 | 179 | | p358 Death notice |  | RIAS Quarterly | February 1951 | 83 | Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) | p45-6 |  | RIBA Journal | January 1951 | | London: Royal Institute of British Architects | Obituary by E J MacRae - p121 |  | Scotsman | 4 September 1950 | | | p5 |  | Scotsman | 11 October 1950 | | | p1 - details of continuation of practice by Arnott after Morrison's death |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this architect: | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes |  | British Architectural Library, RIBA | RIBA Biographical Files | | |  | RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum | RIBA Nomination Papers | | L v3 no172 (microfilm reel 30); F no1723 (microfilm reel 12) |
Images © All rights reserved. İand courtesy of RIAS. From RIASQ Spring 1956, no1, p39 |