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 AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | 87, High Street, Elgin, Morayshire, Scotland | Private/business | Before 1944 | After 1946 | |
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 | | Mackay & Doig (or McKay & Doig) | c. 1898(?) | c. 1903(?) | Apprentice | |
Employees or PupilsThe following individuals were employed or trained by this (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date from | Date to | Position | Notes | | William Kinloch | 1944 | After 1945 | Assistant | |
Buildings and Designs
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | RIBA | 1930 | The RIBA Kalendar 1930-1931 | | London: Royal Institute of British Architects | | | RIBA | 1939 | The RIBA Kalendar 1939-1940 | | London: Royal Institute of British Architects | |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this : | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | | Elgin Courant | 17 January 1947 | | | EB syas this appeared in Northern Scot, not Courant | | Elgin Courant | 1 December 1956 | | | Obituary | | Elgin Courant | 5 December 1956 | | | | | Moray Life | 1938 | Christmas | | p55 | | Northern Scot | 1 December 1956 | | | Obituary |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this : | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes | | Moray Heritage Library | Moray Archives | | Accoiunts 1939-1954 from Hillhead Farm DGV A37/2 |
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