Basic Biographical Details

Name: James Collie
Designation:  
Born: 6 May 1809
Died: 5 May 1881
Bio Notes: James Collie was born in Aberdeen c.1810, the son of John Collie, 'general merchant', and Charlotte Lunan. He was evidently in the office of John Smith by 1829 since he signed one of his account books (Abstract Book No IX, now in NMRS). By the early 1830s he had set up in practice in Glasgow, surveying Glasgow Cathedral and publishing 'An Historical Account of the Cathedral of Glasgow' (London, 1835), a publication which appears to have brought him an Honorary Fellowship of the London society named the 'Freemasons of the Church'. (Builder 18 February 1843, p24). A similar folio volume, 'The Royal Palace of Linlithgow' was published in 1847. He applied unsuccessfully for the post of head of the Edinburgh office of Office of Works. He appears in Post Office Directories as being in practice as an architect and civil engineer at 6 Hanover Street, Edinburgh in 1848, but no entries appear for him as an architect thereafter.

In 1850-51 Collie made an extremely competent map of Dundee to Ordnance Survey standards. By 1864 he had given up his Glasgow practice, but remained in practice as a civil engineer in Edinburgh and in Bridge of Allan where he had built a large Italianate villa, Bellmoir House. Surprisingly little is known of his practice which must have been considerable, probably mainly with railway works as he was selected by Errington for Bridge Street without competition.

Collie married twice: first to Isabella Moir who died of consumption on 24 April 1859 and with whom he had eight children; and secondly to Williamina Campbell on 15th February 1860, with whom he had a further three children, with only one surviving to adulthood. He died of bronchitis and apoplexy at Bellmoir House (which took its name from his first wife) on 5 May 1881, his daughter Jane Moir Collie having predeceased him c.1864.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 6Aberdeen, ScotlandBusinessc. 1829 *  
Item 2 of 645, Queen Street, Glasgow, ScotlandBusiness18391844 
Item 3 of 6Glasgow, ScotlandBusinessEarly 1830s  
Item 4 of 632, St Vincent Place, Glasgow, ScotlandBusiness1845 *  
Item 5 of 66, Hanover Street, Edinburgh, ScotlandBusiness1848 *  
Item 6 of 6Bellmoir House, Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire, ScotlandBusinessc. 1851After 1860 

* earliest date known from documented sources.

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 131837Montrose InfirmaryMontrose AngusScotlandCollie selected in competition with 15 other entrants: £21 premium
Item 2 of 131839Blind Asylum  AberdeenScotland 
Item 3 of 131839Bridge Street Station  GlasgowScotlandEarlier building?
Item 4 of 131839Montrose Lunatic Asylum, Infirmary and DispensaryMontrose AngusScotlandAdditions/alterations
Item 5 of 131842Blythswood Testimonial schoolsRenfrew RenfrewshireScotlandConsulted by Town Council following competition
Item 6 of 131844National Bank of Scotland and Square of Business ChambersShawlands GlasgowScotlandPlaced second in competition
Item 7 of 13c. 1851Bellmoir HouseBridge of Allan StirlingshireScotland 
Item 8 of 131858Buchanan Street Railway Station  GlasgowScotlandCompetition design - placed second (pseudonym 'Abracadabra')
Item 9 of 131865Bridge of Allan water supplyBridge of Allan StirlingshireScotland 
Item 10 of 131866Bridge of Allan Chapel of EaseBridge of Allan StirlingshireScotlandExtension
Item 11 of 131869Church of the Holy RudeStirling StirlingshireScotlandAlterations to east church
Item 12 of 131872House for Mr John DawsonBridge of Allan StirlingshireScotland 
Item 13 of 131880Menstrie Parish ChurchMenstrie ClackmannanshireScotland 

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 4Colvin, H M1995A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects 1600-18403rd editionNew Haven and London: Yale University Press 
Item 2 of 4Johnston, W T2003Artists of Scotland Officina Publications CDROM 
Item 3 of 4Post Office Directories     
Item 4 of 4Scotlands People Website Wills & Testaments  Stirling Sheriff Court Inventory Sc67/36/47

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1Builder18 February 18432 p24

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 3National Monuments Record of Scotland/NMRS, RCAHMSNMRS Manuscripts Abstract Book No IX
Item 2 of 3Professor David M Walker personal archiveProfessor David M Walker, notes and collection of archive material Research by Iain Paterson
Item 3 of 3Public Record OfficeOffice of Works Records Per David Grant