Basic Biographical Details
| Name: | James G Aitchison & Son |
| Designation: | |
| Born: | Before 1940 |
| Died: | After 1980 |
| Bio Notes: | James Gray Aitchison died in 1934 but his practice appears to have been continued or revived by his son Robert, born on 29 December 1914, as it was listed as James G Aitchison & Son by 1940. Robert had taken the diploma course at the School of Architecture, Glasgow School of Art from September 1933, with day classes for four years and evening classes for two years. During the summer months and for a short time before commencing the course at Glasgow School of Art he had worked in his father's practice. He had also gained experience in a variety of other offices while he was studying. From September 1938 until January the following year he was with Gavin Paterson & Son; from January to April 1939 he was with the LMS Railway Company's Engineers' Department; and from April to September 1939 he worked with C J McNair & Elder. In May 1939 he completed the diploma course but the war intervened. Nevertheless, he must have taken on some responsibility for the family practice, as it was known as James G Aitchison & Son by 1940. He finally took the Professional Practice exams in July 1946. He was admitted ARIBA in December of that year, his proposers being William McCrea, Jack Coia and William James Smith. His address is given as being in Edinburgh by 1950, by which time he was married to Janet McKay Bridges. The practice continued though in a reduced form. From 1951 until 1969 Aitchison worked for Thomas Smith, Gibb & Pate. After the death of Thomas Gibb in the latter year, Aitchison worked for Hamilton Burgh, filling the role of Deputy Architect, if not actually named as such and remaining in this post for 11 years. He kept the family practice going in a small way throughout. He was based in Alexandria in the early 1960s but was living in Coatbridge by 1970 and moved to Bothwell by 1979. The practice was revived in the late 1970s or early 1980s when his son, another James Gray Aitchison, joined the firm. This James Gray Aitchison had been born at 35 Drumsheugh Gardens, Edinburgh on 4 September 1948 and studied at the University of Strathclyde, graduating BArch. He was elected ARIBA in 1974. Robert Aitchison retired in Spring 1980, but continued as a consultant. At that time the practice was based in Bothwell, Lanarkshire. Robert Aitchison died in February 2010. |
Private and Business Addresses
| The following private or business addresses are associated with this : | |||||
| Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | |
 | 75, Main Street, Alexandria, Dunbartonshire, Scotland | Business | 1964 * | ||
| 19, West Main Street, Broxburn, West Lothian, Scotland | Business | 1964 * | ||
| The Poultry, Bothwell Castle, Bothwell, Lanarkshire, Scotland | Business | 1980s * | ||
| 15, Dunbeth Avenue, Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, Scotland | Business | 1980 * | ||
* earliest date known from documented sources.
Employment and Training
Employees or Pupils
| The following individuals were employed or trained by this (click on an item to view details): | |||||
| Name | Date from | Date to | Position | Notes | |
| Robert Aitchison | Before 1940 | After 198 | Partner | Continued his father's practice on a small scale in early years; the practice expanded again in the 1980s |
| James Gray Aitchison | 1980s * | Partner | ||
* earliest date known from documented sources.
References
Bibliographic References
| The following books contain references to this : | ||||||
| Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | |
| Municipal Annual | 1964 | Scottish Municipal Annual | 1964-1965 | ||
| RIBA | 1980 | Directory of Practices 1980 | |||