Basic Biographical Details

Name: James McLachlan
Designation:  
Born: 1875
Died:  
Bio Notes: James McLachlan was born in 1875 and articled to Robert Rowand Anderson in 1892, remaining with Anderson as an assistant until he commenced independent practice on his own account in 1904. During that period he studied at the Edinburgh School of applied art under Frank Worthington Simon and Stewart Henbest Capper, winning the Pugin Studentship in 1900 which enabled him to spend several months on a sketching tour of England and five months in Italy, as well as visiting Paris and Rouen. He spent the greater part of the following two years on further travels incorporating Germany, Italy, England, Spain, Sicily and Tangier. Sketches from these various tours were published in the 'RIBA Journal', 'Architectural Association Sketch Book', 'The Builder', 'Building News' and 'Builders Journal'. He was placed third in the RIBA Owen Jones Studentship in 1902.

In or about 1907 McLachlan entered a short association with George Mackie Watson. Together (though retaining separate addresses) they prepared and exhibited a competition design for the Peace Palace at the Hague.

McLachlan was admitted LRIBA in the mass intake of 20 July 1911, proposed by James Box Dunn and the Edinburgh Architectural Association, of which McLachlan had been a member since 1905. He was elected FRIBA on 30 November 1925, his proposers this time being Alexander Lorne Campbell, John Wilson and John James Joass. His FRIBA papers state that in addition to his known works he had carried out a number of houses in Midlothian, Fife, Renfrewshire and Berwickshire, although none of these has yet been identified.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 514, Queen Street, Edinburgh, ScotlandBusinessc. 1905c. 1907 
Item 2 of 524, Charlotte Square, Edinburgh, ScotlandBusinessc. 1908c. 1919This is the same address (Fishmongers' Building) as Washington Browne at this time. Unclear if there was any connection - Browne moved out earlier
Item 3 of 5125, Warrender Park Road, Edinburgh, ScotlandPrivate1911 * Misspelt 'Wanenden Park Road' in BAL/RIBA Directory
Item 4 of 54, Melville Crescent, Edinburgh, ScotlandBusinessc. 1920c. 1936 
Item 5 of 56, Melville Crescent, Edinburgh, ScotlandBusinessc. 1937After 1950 

* 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 4Wardrop & Anderson18921897Apprentice 
Item 2 of 4Wardrop & Anderson18971899Assistant 
Item 3 of 4Anderson Simon & Crawford18991902Assistant 
Item 4 of 4(Sir) Robert Rowand Anderson19021903Assistant 

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 5John Watt19191930Assistant 
Item 2 of 5John Forbes19291932Assistant 
Item 3 of 5John George MacGruer19301935Apprentice 
Item 4 of 5John Forbes19321935 or 1936Senior Assistant 
Item 5 of 5John George MacGruerApril 1938February 1939Chief Assistant 

RIBA

RIBA Proposers

The following individuals proposed this for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 4Alexander Lorne Campbell30 November 1925for Fellowship
Item 2 of 4James Bow Dunn20 July 1911for Licentiateship - as president of the Edinburgh Architectural Association
Item 3 of 4John James Joass30 November 1925for Fellowship
Item 4 of 4John Wilson30 November 1925for Fellowship

RIBA Proposals

This proposed the following individuals for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 3John Forbes11 May 1936For Associateship
Item 2 of 3John George MacGruer6 February 1951For Licentiateship
Item 3 of 3John Watt15 June 1943 

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 201903Queen Victoria Memorial and triumphal arch at east end of The Mall  LondonEnglandUnsuccessful competition entry - as assistant to R R Anderson
Item 2 of 20After 1904Infant SchoolRoslin/Rosslyn MidlothianScotland 
Item 3 of 20After 1904Kynachan Lodge and gamekeeper's cottage and kennelsTummel Bridge (near) PerthshireScotland 
Item 4 of 20After 1904Large works for the Scottish Motor Traction Company  EdinburghScotland 
Item 5 of 20After 1904Parish Council OfficesLasswade MidlothianScotland 
Item 6 of 20After 1904SchoolRoslin/Rosslyn MidlothianScotlandAlterations
Item 7 of 201907Scottish National Exhibition, 1908Saughton EdinburghScotlandCompetition design - unsuccessful
Item 8 of 201907The Peace Palace  The HagueNetherlandsCompetition design
Item 9 of 201911Cockpen ManseCockpen MidlothianScotlandRepairs and alterations
Item 10 of 20Before 1911Institute for Lothian Coal Co LtdRosewell MidlothianScotland 
Item 11 of 201920Northwood  EdinburghScotland 
Item 12 of 201922Belford House  EdinburghScotlandAddition and alterations
Item 13 of 201923St Giles Cathedral, War Memorial to 6th Royal Scots  EdinburghScotland 
Item 14 of 201923War memorial to George E Crabbie's employeesLeith EdinburghScotland 
Item 15 of 201923Western Club, War memorial  GlasgowScotland 
Item 16 of 201925Morningside Congregational Church and HallsMorningside EdinburghScotlandWon competition to secure job
Item 17 of 201930Crawford's, 15-19 Hanover Street  EdinburghScotlandRebuilding for Crawford's
Item 18 of 201934Commercial Bank of Scotland, BanffBanff BanffshireScotland 
Item 19 of 201934Royal Bank of ScotlandHyndland GlasgowScotland 
Item 20 of 201934St Christopher's ChurchCraigentinny EdinburghScotland 

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 4British Architectural Library, RIBA2001Directory of British Architects 1834-1914   
Item 2 of 4Post Office Directories     
Item 3 of 4RIBA1950The RIBA Kalendar 1950-1951 London: Royal Institute of British Architects 
Item 4 of 4Who'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 L v19 no1436; F no2302 (microfilm reel 17)