Basic Biographical Details

Name: Alister James Morrison
Designation:  
Born: c. 1883
Died: 28 November 1956
Bio Notes: Alister (always known as Alexander) James Morrison was born in Forres c.1883, apparently of farming stock, the son of William Morrison and his wife Isabella Mavor, who moved to Hillhead farm, near Birnie in Alexander's early years. Alexander was brought up on the farm, taking it over when his father died in 1907 and remaining there for the rest of his life. He was educated at Elgin Academy and was articled to McKay & Doig, architects and surveyors, of Elgin. Thereafter he appears to have held a post in the Morayshire and perhaps Banffshire County Architect's office as he was responsible for housing schemes in Dufftown and Forres. He became Burgh architect for Rothes and was responsible for at least one housing scheme there. He went into business on his own account c.1935 as architect surveyor and valuer and in the 1940s or 1950s took over the practice of the Doig family, the practice name becoming Alister J Morrison & Co. He 'worked until shortly before his death'.

Morrison carried on his architectural work at the same time as running Hillhead and later taking over the neighbouring Dykeside as well as managing Kirkhill, Llanbryde and Grieve Farm. He was a long-standing member of the Morayshire Farmers' Club and Secretary of the Morayshire Clydesdale Horse Breeding Society and was said to have a good eye for draught horses. He was a much respected member of the community and was always prepared to listen.

Morrison died on 28 November 1956 and buried in Birnie Kirkyard. He was survived by his wdow, Josephine Helen Forsyth.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 187, High Street, Elgin, Morayshire, ScotlandPrivate/businessBefore 1944After 1946 

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 1Mackay & Doig (or McKay & Doig)c. 1898(?)c. 1903(?)Apprentice 

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 1William Kinloch1944After 1945Assistant 

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 9c. 1920Housing schemeDufftown BanffshireScotland 
Item 2 of 9c. 1920Housing schemeForres MorayshireScotland 
Item 3 of 91921War memorialElgin MorayshireScotland 
Item 4 of 91924Hopeman Memorial HallElgin MorayshireScotland 
Item 5 of 91924Temple for Kylmolymock Masonic LodgeElgin MorayshireScotland 
Item 6 of 91935Burton's shopElgin MorayshireScotland 
Item 7 of 9c. 1935(?)Housing shemeRothes MorayshireScotland 
Item 8 of 9193917 blocks of flatted houses, 2 blocks of 4 apartment houses, 1 block of 4 2-apartment flatted housesElgin MorayshireScotland 
Item 9 of 91946Burgie House and Burgie Lodge  MorayshireScotlandMinor alterations

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 2RIBA1930The RIBA Kalendar 1930-1931 London: Royal Institute of British Architects 
Item 2 of 2RIBA1939The RIBA Kalendar 1939-1940 London: Royal Institute of British Architects 

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 5Elgin Courant17 January 1947  EB syas this appeared in Northern Scot, not Courant
Item 2 of 5Elgin Courant1 December 1956  Obituary
Item 3 of 5Elgin Courant5 December 1956   
Item 4 of 5Moray Life1938Christmas p55
Item 5 of 5Northern Scot1 December 1956  Obituary

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 1Moray Heritage LibraryMoray Archives Accoiunts 1939-1954 from Hillhead Farm DGV A37/2