Basic Biographical Details

Name: Charles Geddes Soutar
Designation: Architect
Born: 1878
Died: 14 November 1952
Bio Notes: Charles Geddes Soutar was born in 1878 of a Forfar family and apprenticed to Charles & Leslie Ower from 1892 to 1898, latterly working under William Gillespie Lamond by whom he was profoundly influenced. During this period he took classes at Dundee Technical College, latterly under Patrick Hill Thoms who also had a considerable influence on the development of his domestic style. He remained with Leslie Ower for a year after the break-up of the partnership in 1898, moving in 1899 to the office of John Murray Robertson to widen his experience, but the following year he returned to Leslie Ower as chief assistant. In 1902 he commenced practice on his own account with some success. He remained on good terms with Charles Ower, for whom he designed Aystree in 1903. On 16 July 1908 Soutar married _____ Stewart. In that same year he merged his practice with that of John Turnbull Maclaren (born 1864) as Maclaren Sons & Soutar, a move which took the Maclaren practice back into the premier league. With his white or cream suits and stylish boating hats he brought a breath of fresh air to the practice, which had remained somewhat staid despite the recruitment of Andrew Patrick as leading draughtsman: a staff photograph of that time, now in the RCAHMS, well illustrates the difference between the partners, Maclaren being a portly figure in a sombre city suit.

In 1920 the practice merged with J & F Salmond, a firm of civil engineers, land surveyors and architects based at 6 High Street, the firm now becoming Maclaren Soutar Salmond with John Turnbull Maclaren, Charles Geddes Soutar and William Salmond as partners. In 1921 Maclaren retired and Patrick was taken into partnership, but the name of the firm remained unchanged, the merged firms now moving to 15 South Tay Street. Maclaren enjoyed a very long retirement, dying at the house he had built for himself, Whinsby, Abercromby Street, Barnhill on 20 March 1948.

Soutar was admitted ARIBA in late 1921, his proposers being Patrick Hill Thoms, John Donald Mills and Godfrey Daniel Bower Shepherd; and was admitted FRIBA the following year, again proposed by Thoms but this time with Alexander Nisbet Paterson and William Brown Whitie as his other proposers: Paterson and Whitie he had got to know through the RIAS of which he was an active member and was to become president in 1936-38.

In 1929 Maclaren Soutar Salmond took over the practice of David Wishart Galloway who had been killed in a motorcycle accident in that year, and for rather more than a decade maintained his office at 2 Market Street, Brechin as a branch, but this was de-merged to A B Roger as an independent practice in the 1940s.

Around 1933 the practice was joined as prospective partner by Thomas Steuart Fothringham, born 5 April 1907, who had been educated at Wellington and had read architecture at Trinity College Cambridge with Ian Gordon Lindsay and R A C Simpson. In the event his association with the practice was relatively short as he inherited the Pourie and Fothringham estates in April 1936 and did not return to the practice after serving as a Major in the Black Watch during the Second World War.

Charles Soutar's interest in the practice did not survive the Second World War either, and without him it went into a gradual decline. Although his practice was not particularly large, Soutar was a prominent figure in Scottish architecture between the wars. He was an outstanding Arts and Crafts architect with wide artistic interests and was remembered by his friends as generous in spirit and of infinite human kindness. Along with his client David Band of Band & Whyte and the schools inspector John Taylor Ewen, he was one of the principal patrons of the Arbroath artist James Waterston Herald. Although a very able designer and a fine draughtsman and watercolourist Patrick was content to take a secondary role in charge of the drawing office, producing beautiful presentation drawings for clients. Soutar became a very active member of the RIBA, and was elected to the Council for 1923-24, 1925-26 and 1935-44, serving as Vice-President from 1939 to 1944. Thomas Forbes Maclennan recalled that at these meetings he remained informal in style to the end, preferring plus fours to a city suit. Soutar was also a member of the Council of the Dundee Institute of Architects.

Soutar moved house to Wheatlands, Forfar in 1941. In 1946 he began to suffer from Alzheimer's disease and had to withdraw from the practice completely, and he died on 14 November 1952, leaving £5,166 13s 5d. His architect son David did not remain with the practice, preferring to take a civil service job in Aberdeen. The practice was continued by the ageing Andrew Patrick and by William Salmond whose expertise lay chiefly in valuation. The latter was an old-fashioned gentleman of impressive presence, very tall, infinitely courteous and patient, qualities which served him well as the long-serving chairman of the Dundee rent tribunal. After Andrew Patrick died in 1951 the architectural work was in the hands of the practice's middle-aged chief assistant Stuart O Barron who had become a partner on Soutar's retirement.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this architect:
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 630, Whitehall Street, Dundee, ScotlandBusiness19021908 
Item 2 of 610, Reform Street, Dundee, ScotlandBusiness19081920 
Item 3 of 6Easterbank/3, Gordon Street, Barnhill, Dundee, ScotlandPrivatec. 1915After 1921 
Item 4 of 615, South Tay Street, Dundee, ScotlandBusiness1920After 1939 
Item 5 of 6Harecraig/26, Dundee Road, West Ferry, Dundee, ScotlandPrivateAfter 19211941 
Item 6 of 6Wheatlands, Hillside Road, Forfar, Angus, ScotlandPrivate19411952 

Employment and Training

Employers

The following individuals or organisations employed or trained this architect (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate fromDate toPositionNotes
Item 1 of 6C & L Ower18921898Apprentice 
Item 2 of 6Leslie Ower18981899Assistant 
Item 3 of 6John Murray Robertson18991900Assistant 
Item 4 of 6Leslie Ower19001902Chief Assistant 
Item 5 of 6Maclaren Sons & Soutar19081920Partner 
Item 6 of 6Maclaren Soutar Salmond19201946Partner 

RIBA

RIBA Proposers

The following individuals proposed this architect for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 6John Donald MillsLate 1921for Associateship
Item 2 of 6Alexander Nisbet PatersonLate 1922for Fellowship
Item 3 of 6Godfrey Daniel Bower ShepherdLate 1921for Associateship
Item 4 of 6Patrick Hill ThomsLate 1921for Associateship
Item 5 of 6Patrick Hill ThomsLate 1922for Fellowship
Item 6 of 6William Brown WhitieLate 1922for Fellowship

RIBA Proposals

This architect proposed the following individuals for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 46Alexander Robert Fordyce AndersonEarly 1932for Associateship
Item 2 of 46(Miss) Annie Margaret ('Moira') Bayne15 October 1940For Associateship
Item 3 of 46David Proctor Bee19 June 1945for Licentiateship
Item 4 of 46James Cairncross4 April 1938for Associateship
Item 5 of 46George Charles Campbell1931for Licentiateship
Item 6 of 46Arthur Tattershall Crane18 November 1941for Associateship
Item 7 of 46Ian Roger Dalgetty19 January 1943for Licentiateship
Item 8 of 46George Brown Deas1932for Licentiateship
Item 9 of 46George Brown Deas8 May 1939for Fellowship
Item 10 of 46James Deuchars12 December 1939for Associateship
Item 11 of 46Robert Dron3 December 1934for Associateship
Item 12 of 46David Duncan9 January 1939for Associateship
Item 13 of 46George FairweatherEarly 1932for Associateship
Item 14 of 46Andrew David Haxton18 April 1944for Fellowship
Item 15 of 46Ian Brown Kinnear24 October 1938for Associateship
Item 16 of 46James Smith LeslieEarly 1931for Licentiateship
Item 17 of 46Robert William LoweLate 1930 or early 1931for Licentiateship
Item 18 of 46Michael Lumsden14 April 1942for Associateship
Item 19 of 46Robert Norman Houghton MacKellar22 June 1936for Fellowship
Item 20 of 46Alexander Theodore Marshall3 April 1939for Associateship
Item 21 of 46Margaret Robertson Mathers (Mrs Sutherland)5 December 1938for Associateship
Item 22 of 46William McCrea22 September 1942for Fellowship
Item 23 of 46William MollisonEarly 1932for Associateship
Item 24 of 46William Mollison9 December 1947for Fellowship
Item 25 of 46James Douglas Nairn9 February 1937for Licentiateship
Item 26 of 46John Needham19 October 1948For Fellowship
Item 27 of 46James Symmers Neish10 January 1938for Associateship
Item 28 of 46Thomas Whytock Reid16 October 1945for Licentiateship
Item 29 of 46James Christopher Rogerson3 December 1934for Licentiateship
Item 30 of 46Donald (F?) Ross3 April 1939for Fellowship
Item 31 of 46Robert Saddler16 April 1940For Associateship
Item 32 of 46James Sadler14 October 1947For Licentiateship
Item 33 of 46William SalmondLate 1929for Fellowship
Item 34 of 46James Grant Shearer16 November 1943for Licentiateship
Item 35 of 46Peter Sinclair14 October 1947For Licentiateship
Item 36 of 46(Colonel) Herbert Morgan Smail14 October 1947For Licentiateship
Item 37 of 46David Smith22 July 1935for Fellowship
Item 38 of 46Frederick George Sturrock6 December 1937for Associateship
Item 39 of 46Thomas Hill ThomsLate 1932for Associateship
Item 40 of 46Charles Robert Thomson4 April 1938for Associateship
Item 41 of 46Annie Nicol Turnbull (Mrs Hubbard)5 December 1938for Associateship
Item 42 of 46Charles Edward Tweedie (junior)6 February 1939for Licentiateship
Item 43 of 46Joseph Weekes14 June 1926for Fellowship
Item 44 of 46William Barnet Wyllie8 May 1939for Fellowship
Item 45 of 46Graham Conacher Young1 May 1933for Licentiateship
Item 46 of 46Robert Robertson Reid Young21 June 1937for Associateship

Buildings and Designs

This architect 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 88 Arcadian Café  GlasgowScotlandDate unknown.
Item 2 of 881902Bridge of Allan SanatoriumBridge of Allan StirlingshireScotland 
Item 3 of 881903AystreeWest Ferry DundeeScotlandFor Charles Ower Junior
Item 4 of 881903House in Woodend RoadCardenden FifeScotland 
Item 5 of 881903Mission Hall  DundeeScotland 
Item 6 of 881904Houses  East LothianScotland 
Item 7 of 881904Young Men's Christian Association buildingsCupar FifeScotland 
Item 8 of 881905Moraig  DundeeScotland 
Item 9 of 881906Double villa for Charles OgilvyKirriemuir AngusScotland 
Item 10 of 881906St Salvadors Episcopal Church and Hall  DundeeScotlandSupervision of stencils being replaced in oils
Item 11 of 88c. 1906Free South ChurchMonifieth AngusScotlandAddition of transepts
Item 12 of 88c. 1906RoycroftBarnhill DundeeScotland 
Item 13 of 88c. 1906Semi-detached Villa, 18-20 Bingham Terrace  DundeeScotland 
Item 14 of 881907UF Church hallStrathmiglo FifeScotlandPrepared plans but apparently not executed
Item 15 of 881908Caxton House Printing Premises  DundeeScotland 
Item 16 of 881909Sanatorium     
Item 17 of 881909South Church HallsMonifieth Angus  
Item 18 of 881909Terrace with shops, Gray StreetBroughty Ferry DundeeScotlandShopfront and attic added
Item 19 of 881909TighnamuirinMonifieth AngusScotlandMotor House
Item 20 of 881909Tillyloss  DundeeScotland 
Item 21 of 881910CraigiebarnsWest Ferry DundeeScotland 
Item 22 of 881910Grove AcademyBroughty Ferry DundeeScotlandAddition
Item 23 of 881910Kinloch HouseMeigle PerthshireScotlandAlterations - new wing, new stairhall within service court, new entrance, general remodelling of interior- also probably lodge
Item 24 of 881911Murroes and Tealing Parish Church Hall and LibraryTealing AngusScotland 
Item 25 of 881911The KnollWest Ferry DundeeScotland 
Item 26 of 881911Wester KinlochAmulree PerthshireScotlandDesign for dining room panelling
Item 27 of 881912BenholmForfar AngusScotlandAdditions
Item 28 of 881912School for Physically and Mentally Defective ChildrenDownfield DundeeScotlandCompetition design
Item 29 of 881912St Margaret's ManseBarnhill DundeeScotland 
Item 30 of 881912White ThornsWest Ferry DundeeScotland 
Item 31 of 88c. 1912St Margaret's Church, BarnhillBroughty Ferry DundeeScotlandPulpit
Item 32 of 881913Broadcroft  DundeeScotland 
Item 33 of 881913East UF Church HallBroughty Ferry DundeeScotland 
Item 34 of 881913Fairmuir Special SchoolFairmuir DundeeScotlandWon competition and secured job
Item 35 of 881913Noranside SanatoriumNoranside AngusScotland 
Item 36 of 881914Offices, Hillside Works  DundeeScotlandReconstruction
Item 37 of 881915St Joseph's RC School  DundeeScotlandWon competition and secured job
Item 38 of 881919ChellwoodMonifieth AngusScotlandAddition of billiard room
Item 39 of 881919Logie Housing Scheme  DundeeScotlandDesigned some areas within Logie.
Item 40 of 881919Royal Insurance Company offices  DundeeScotland 
Item 41 of 881919Royalty Cinema  DundeeScotland 
Item 42 of 881920Fairmuir Special SchoolFairmuir DundeeScotlandAdditions
Item 43 of 881920Meigle Cottage HospitalMeigle PerthshireScotland 
Item 44 of 881920War memorialBalmerino FifeScotland 
Item 45 of 88After 1920Lethnot Parish Church  AngusScotlandAdditions - date unknown
Item 46 of 881921House for Inglis on Strathern RoadWest Ferry DundeeScotland 
Item 47 of 88c. 1921Royal Cinema  DundeeScotland 
Item 48 of 881922LongcroftBarnhill DundeeScotland 
Item 49 of 88c. 1922House for Mr Smith  DundeeScotland 
Item 50 of 881924Dundee Garden City Association Kingsway Site  DundeeScotlandSite layout and design of some houses
Item 51 of 881924Lamb's Temperance Hotel  DundeeScotlandConversion to offices as Meadow House
Item 52 of 881924Monifieth War MemorialMonifieth AngusScotland 
Item 53 of 881925Pitscandly  AngusScotlandAlterations
Item 54 of 881926BenholmForfar AngusScotlandAdditions
Item 55 of 881926Harris Academy, Perth Road  DundeeScotlandUnsuccessful competition designs
Item 56 of 881926House on Glamis RoadForfar AngusScotlandHouse by Patrick
Item 57 of 881926Keithick HouseCoupar Angus AngusScotlandAlterations in hall
Item 58 of 881927Fairmuir Special SchoolFairmuir DundeeScotlandAdditions
Item 59 of 881927Plaza CinemaHilltown DundeeScotland 
Item 60 of 881928Blairgowrie HouseBlairgowrie PerthshireScotlandAlterations
Item 61 of 881928Empress Hygienic Laundry  DundeeScotlandBoiler house added
Item 62 of 881928Logie Central School and janitor's house  DundeeScotlandWon competition and secured job
Item 63 of 881928William Kidd & Sons Printing Works, Couthies Wynd  DundeeScotlandAdditions
Item 64 of 88c. 1928RavelstonAyr AyrshireScotland 
Item 65 of 881929Farnell Parish ChurchFarnell AngusScotlandSession house added - probably executed by this practice after death that year of David Wishart Galloway.
Item 66 of 881929Francis Stevenson and Sons Limited Premises  DundeeScotlandAlterations
Item 67 of 88c. 1929Farington  DundeeScotland 
Item 68 of 88c. 1929House for Dickie, Farington Hall  DundeeScotland 
Item 69 of 881930Regent Cinema  DundeeScotlandAlterations
Item 70 of 881930Royal Cinema  DundeeScotlandAlterations
Item 71 of 88c. 1930David Smith Memorial HospitalKirriemmuir AngusScotland 
Item 72 of 88c. 1930House at Fernhall EstateWest Ferry DundeeScotland 
Item 73 of 881931Brechin CathedralBrechin AngusScotlandOrgan cases
Item 74 of 881934Dundee Garden City Association Kingsway Site  DundeeScotlandScheme extended W of Clive Road
Item 75 of 881935Showrooms, workshops and office (for Messrs Young of the Motor House)Newport-on-Tay FifeScotland 
Item 76 of 881935Volunteer Drill HallBroughty Ferry DundeeScotlandReconstruction
Item 77 of 881936Dundee Custom House and Harbour Chambers  DundeeScotlandSingle storey extension
Item 78 of 881938Addistoun HouseRatho MidlothianScotlandMainly responsible
Item 79 of 881938Edzell Parish ChurchEdzell AngusScotlandAlterations to session house
Item 80 of 881938Fothringham Hill  AngusScotland 
Item 81 of 881938House at DalmahoyDalmahoy MidlothianScotland 
Item 82 of 88c. 1938Falkirk Royal Infirmary Nurses' HomeFalkirk StirlingshireScotlandCompetition design - not successful
Item 83 of 881939SHA CampMeigle PerthshireScotlandMainly responsible
Item 84 of 881940Stracathro HouseBrechin (near) AngusScotlandLayout of hutted wartime hospital in grounds
Item 85 of 88c. 1940Craigendarroch HouseBallater AberdeenshireScotlandAlterations and additions
Item 86 of 88c. 1940(?)Queen's Well MemorialGlen Mark AngusScotland 
Item 87 of 881942Harecraig HouseWest Ferry DundeeScotlandProposed remodelling: not carried out
Item 88 of 881942House in Dundee  DundeeScotland 

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this architect:
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 2Johnston, W T2003Artists of Scotland Officina Publications CDROM 
Item 2 of 2RIBA1939The RIBA Kalendar 1939-1940 London: Royal Institute of British Architects 

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this architect:
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1Builder21 November 1952  p755 - obituary

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this architect:
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 3National Monuments Record of Scotland/NMRS, RCAHMSNMRS Photographic Archive Photograph of John Turnbull Maclaren and Soutar with staff Acc No 1999/132 (D21000)
Item 2 of 3Professor David M Walker personal archiveProfessor David M Walker, notes and collection of archive material Personal information from David Stewart Soutar
Item 3 of 3RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert MuseumRIBA Nomination Papers A no3355 (microfilm reel 26); F no1897 (microfilm reel 15)

Images

© All rights reserved. ©and courtesy of RIAS 

© All rights reserved. ©and courtesy of RIAS