Basic Biographical Details

Name: John Orkney
Designation:  
Born: 1828 or 1829
Died: 12 November 1909
Bio Notes: John Orkney was born in 1829 or 1829, the son of Robert Orkney, feuar and builder, and his wife, Janet McFie. He was brought up to the drapery business and early on started the Albion warehouse (on the corner of Victoria Street and Gallowgate) which carried on business successfully until about 1890. He also acted as shipping agent for some of the principal lines and as Lloyd’s agent in Bute. At the same time he followed his father by engaging in business as a feuar and builder. He erected some of the principal terraces in Rothesay, including some in the Craigmore district.

Outwith his professional life Orkney was very involved in the affairs of the town. He entered the Town Council in the 1860s, later becoming a Magistrate and from 1875-1878 Lord Provost. He served as a JP for over thirty years and was a freemason, being a member of Rothesay St John’s Lodge. He was a member of the congregation of the established church and was actively involved from 1872 in the building of the new parish church ‘on the front’.

In person Orkney was described as having a ‘handsome presence and kindly genial manner’ and was generally very popular.

He married twice, first to Helen Tod and second to Jessie Jones. He died on 12 November 1909. He was survived by his second wife and two sons and four daughters.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 3Bute, Bute, ScotlandBusiness   
Item 2 of 3Orcadia, Ascog, Bute, ScotlandPrivate 1909 
Item 3 of 3Rosehill, Academy Road, Rothesay, Bute, ScotlandPrivate1876 *  

* earliest date known from documented sources.


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 61860OrcadiaRothesayButeButeScotland'Possibly' (HS)
Item 2 of 61868Wimbleton (and terrace of houses)RothesayButeButeScotland 
Item 3 of 61875Elysium TerraceRothesayButeButeScotland 
Item 4 of 61870s or 1880sRosebankRothesayButeButeScotland 
Item 5 of 61870s or 1880sRosehillRothesayButeButeScotland 
Item 6 of 61887Glenburn HydropathicRothesayButeButeScotlandExtensive additions, including new drawing room and twenty bedrooms

References

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1The Buteman, Advertiser for the Western Isles (lat26 November 1909  Obituary

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 1H M Register HouseDeath Register