Basic Biographical Details

Name: Neil Victor Ridgley Simpson
Designation:  
Born:  
Died:  
Bio Notes: Neil Victor Ridgley Simpson studied at the School of Architecture in Aberdeen and was elected ARIBA and ARIAS in 1960. He worked for Wittets (probably directly after qualification) and was assumed into partnership in 1962.

John Wittet of Elgin, who had been in partnership with Alexander and William Charles Reid from 1893 and practised on his own from 1903, made his son William a share partner in his firm on 1 January 1928, the practice name changing to J & W Wittet. William had been articled to his father from 1919 and had been assistant from 22 January 1923 and a salaried partner from 1 January 1925.

William was admitted LRIBA in early 1932, his proposers being Robert Leslie Rollo, Robert Gordon Wilson Junior and James Lochhead.

In the 1930s and 1940s the Wittets had an office in Skye, probably continuing the Highland and west coast practice established by William Reid.

John Wittet died on 18 March 1952, William continuing the practice thereafter under its existing name. In 1962 Simpson became a partner, followed in 1968 by Stanley Mitchell.

In 1973 an office was opened once again on the Isle of Skye in the Pier Hotel, Broadford. The following year the office moved to the home of the assistant in charge, Bill Simpson, at 12 Scullamus and it moved again in 1974 to the Old Post Office Buildings, Broadford. In 1975 on the departure of Bill Simpson, Magnus Gunnarsson took over as assistant in charge. He was assumed into partnership two years later.

The practice continued to flourish, becoming a limited company in 1986, having moved to 26 Hay Street, Elgin, and the name becoming Wittets Ltd. Stanley Mitchell became managing director.

Neil Simpson retired in 1988.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 624, Newbattle Terrace, Edinburgh, ScotlandPrivatec. 1860  
Item 2 of 6Fairview, Cults, Aberdeenshire, ScotlandPrivate1960 *  
Item 3 of 66, Moss Street, Elgin, Morayshire, ScotlandBusiness1960After 1979 
Item 4 of 6The Braids/8, Moray Place, Elgin, Morayshire, ScotlandPrivate1965 *  
Item 5 of 6The Glebe House, Rothes, Morayshire, ScotlandPrivate1970 *  
Item 6 of 626, Hay Street, Elgin, Morayshire, ScotlandBusiness1986  

* 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 2J & W Wittet19621988Partner 
Item 2 of 2Wittets Ltd19861988Partner 

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 171960sBroadford HotelBroadfordSkyeInverness-shireScotland 
Item 2 of 171960sCameron Knitware FactoryGrantown-on-Spey MorayshireScotland 
Item 3 of 171960sCity Sawmills, timber storage production unitsElgin MorayshireScotland 
Item 4 of 171960sCoolin Hills Hotel SkyeInverness-shireScotland 
Item 5 of 171960sEllon brickworksEllon AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 6 of 171960sFootball standElgin MorayshireScotland 
Item 7 of 171960sHousingForres MorayshireScotland 
Item 8 of 171960sHousing for G Kirkman & SonsFochabers MorayshireScotland 
Item 9 of 171960sHousing for Nairn County Council  NairnshireScotland 
Item 10 of 171960sHousing, for G Kirkman & SonsCullen BanffshireScotland 
Item 11 of 171960sHousing, High StreetAberlour BanffshireScotland 
Item 12 of 171960sKinkell Castle  Ross and CromartyScotlandRestoration
Item 13 of 171960sOffice for Pearl AssuranceWick CaithnessScotland 
Item 14 of 171960sPublic abattoirGrantown-on-Spey MorayshireScotland 
Item 15 of 171960sSocial clubElgin MorayshireScotland 
Item 16 of 171960sWoollen Mill for G & G KynochKeith AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 17 of 171970Gordon CastleFochabers MorayshireScotlandAlterations including large farm court to rear

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 6Bailey, Rebecca M1996Scottish architects' papers: a source book Edinburgh: The Rutland Pressp103
Item 2 of 6RIBA1961Kalendar 1960-61   
Item 3 of 6RIBA1965The RIBA Kalendar   
Item 4 of 6RIBA1970RIBA Directory 1970   
Item 5 of 6RIBA1979Directory of members   
Item 6 of 6RIBA1984RIBA Directory of members   

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 2RIAS, Rutland SquareRecords of membership  
Item 2 of 2School of Architecture, Garthdee, Aberdeen, RGIT: former pupils, 1937-1970Galletly, James