Basic Biographical Details Name: | Peter MacBey | Designation: | | Born: | 1821 | Died: | 18 March 1877 | Bio Notes: | Peter MacBey was born in Keith in 1821, the son of John MacBey and Marjory MacDonald. At school MacBey showed a talent for writing drawing and mathematics. He trained with the valuator and surveyor George McWilliam. McWilliam won the contract for taking the levels for the Banffshire railway (from Buckie to Tomintoul via Keith and Dufftown) and MacBey was in charge of part of the route.
He began business on his won account in Elgin as a surveyor and land evaluator rather than an architect. He combined this with the tenancy of Woodside Farm where he was regarded as an iimproving tenant. After the retirement of George McWilliam and the death of Alexander Brown Murdoch, much of their work passed to him. He was the superintendent in charge of the designs for the drainage of Loch Spynie (which involved fact-finding trips to Morecombe Bay, the Lincolnshire Fens and the Roiver Thames in London. He was also responsible for the water systems in Buckie, Rothes and Kingussie and assisted in the design of the waterworks in Elgin. He also drew up various maps and plans - including that of Bishopmill on the Seafield Estates north of Elgin in 1865. He acted as arbitrater in disputes and was frequently called upon by the Court of Session.
In the mid-1870s he obtained some very large contracts including work relating to the Dochfour Estate, the valuation of a property in Buckinghamshire and a survey of the extensive estates of the Earl of Fife.
He moved to Elgin after the destruction of Woodside by fire. Initially he worked from an address in North Street. In 1871 he purchased Darliston Cottage which he renovated.
Peter MacBey married Jessie Janet Christie, niece of Elgin architect William Munro, and they had thirteen children. Peter died in Elgin on 18 March 1877.
It appears that the practice was continued by George Gordon, who may have been made a partner before MacBey's death, under the title of MacBey & Gordon, until c.1888 when it became Gordon & MacBey. This change presumably reflected the taking into partnership of one of MacBey's sons, probably William Monro MacBey. Gordon may also have been a relative, as Peter MacBey's mother's family was related to a family of that name. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | Elgin, Morayshire, Scotland | Business | | | | | North Street, Elgin, Morayshire, Scotland | Business | c. 1870 | | | | Darliston Cottage, Elgin, Morayshire, Scotland | Private | 1871 | | |
Employment and TrainingEmployersThe following individuals or organisations employed or trained this (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date from | Date to | Position | Notes | | George McWilliam | 1838 | | Apprentice | | | MacBey & Gordon | After 1874(?) | 1877(?) | Partner | |
Buildings and DesignsThis 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 | | 1874 | Portree House | Portree | Skye | Inverness-shire | Scotland | Repairs |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | Scotlands People Website | | Wills & Testaments | | | Elgin Sheriff Court Inventories SC26/39/13 and Elgin Sheriff Court Wills SC26/39/12 |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this : | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | | Scottish Local History | 2015 | 91 | | Spring-Summer issue |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this : | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes | | Professor David M Walker personal archive | Professor David M Walker, notes and collection of archive material | | Information from Madge Skinner, great granddaughter of Peter MacBey. |
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