Basic Biographical Details

Name: Richard Mercer Blaikie
Designation:  
Born: 1935
Died: 6 October 2009
Bio Notes: Richard Mercer Blaikie (always known as Mercer Blaikie) was born in Denbeath, Fife in 1935 and attended Buckhaven High School. He qualified in architecture at Dundee College of Art, and began his career in the office of Wheeler & Sproson in Kirkcaldy. He was admitted ARIBA and ARIAS in 1961. After a spell in Belfast with the architectural practice Munce & Kennedy, he returned to Scotland in 1967 to join Dundee Council’s Architect’s Department. In the early 1970s he was Chief Architect for Fraser Construction.

He went into independent practice in Broughty Ferry in 1975, his work including hospital buildings, commercial premises, private houses and conservation projects. For many years he served as honorary architect to the Episcopal Church in Brechin. His practice amalgamated with that of Shearer & Annan in 1990 to become Blaikie Johnston Withers. In 1994 Blaikie is listed as working in practice in his own account as Mercer Blaikie Associates. It closed in 1994.

Blaikie enjoyed sport, being a lifelong supporter of East Fife Football Club and a member of Panmure Golf Club and Broughty Bowling Club. He was also a skilled bridge player, and appreciated fine wines. His interest in contemporary art led him to amass a substantial collection of modern works, which were displayed in the family home he built for himself in Broughty Ferry.

He died peacefully at home on 6 October 2009, survived by his wife Eunice, his daughter and son Jane and Andrew and their respective families, including five grandchildren. A private burial service took place on 9 October, and a memorial service was held at St Mary’s Episcopal Church, Broughty Ferry on 27 October.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 4Dunfermline, ScotlandBusiness  Branch office?
Item 2 of 4167 or 197 , Brook Street, Broughty Ferry, Dundee, ScotlandBusiness(?)  197 from 1979 until at least 1994.
Item 3 of 452, Forth Street, Denbeath, Methil, Fife, ScotlandPrivatec. 1960  
Item 4 of 437, Spencer Place, Kirkcaldy, Fife, ScotlandPrivate1961 *  

* 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 4Wheeler & Sproson1950s(?)Before 1967Assistant(?) 
Item 2 of 4Munce & Kennedyc. 1965 Architect 
Item 3 of 4Dundee Corporation Architectural Dpt (later City of Dundee District Council Architects Dept, Dundee City Council)1967Before 1975  
Item 4 of 4Blaikie Johnston Withers19901994Partner 

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 16 HouseBroughty Ferry DundeeScotlandFor himself; date not known
Item 2 of 161970sFlats  DundeeScotlandModernisation
Item 3 of 161970sFreezer store, bakery and reception areas for McKellar Watt  GlasgowScotlandAs Chief Architect for Fraser Construction
Item 4 of 161970sPrivate flats for Fraser Construction LtdKirkcaldy FifeScotland 
Item 5 of 161970sPublic house   DundeeScotlandModernisation
Item 6 of 161974Cottages, Bonspiel Gardens  DundeeScotland 
Item 7 of 16After 1975Ninewells Hospital and Medical School  DundeeScotlandCancer wards and Surgical Skills Unit
Item 8 of 16Late 1970sDunfermline Building Society OfficeMontrose AngusScotland 
Item 9 of 16Late 1970sDunfermline Building Society OfficeSt Andrews FifeScotland 
Item 10 of 16Late 1970sDunfermline Building Society Office  DundeeScotland 
Item 11 of 16Late 1970sDunfermline Building Society OfficePerth PerthshireScotland 
Item 12 of 16Late 1970sHouse with stablesAlyth PerthshireScotlandConversion of stables to house
Item 13 of 16Late 1970sTravel agency  DundeeScotland 
Item 14 of 16Late 1970sWarehousing for Dundee Petrosea Ltd  DundeeScotland 
Item 15 of 161980sHead office for Kestral Marine Ltd  DundeeScotland 
Item 16 of 161992Nethergate Medical Centre  DundeeScotland 

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 9Bailey, Rebecca M1996Scottish architects' papers: a source book Edinburgh: The Rutland Pressp109
Item 2 of 9RIBA1961Kalendar 1960-61   
Item 3 of 9RIBA1965The RIBA Kalendar   
Item 4 of 9RIBA1970RIBA Directory 1970   
Item 5 of 9RIBA1979Directory of members   
Item 6 of 9RIBA1984RIBA Directory of members   
Item 7 of 9RIBA1986RIBA Directory of Members 1986   
Item 8 of 9RIBA1994A Directory of RIBA Members   
Item 9 of 9Willis, Peter1977New architecture in Scotland  p92-5 Ninewells Hospital

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1RIAS Quarterly2010SpringRoyal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS)p.110: obituary

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 1RIAS, Rutland SquareRecords of membership