Basic Biographical Details

Name: John Ross McMillan
Designation:  
Born: 6 July 1868
Died: 9 October 1959 or 26 October 1959
Bio Notes: John Ross McMillan was born on 6 July 1868, the son of the Aberdeen architect Duncan McMillan and his wife Sibella Ross. He was articled to his father in 1885, and attended classes at Gray's School of Art from 1887-1889, passing the exams in elementary and advanced building construction. After his articles he remained as assistant with his father until 1893 when he was taken into partnership. During this period he went on a number of sketching tours in Scotland and England. He was admitted FRIBA on 4 March 1907, his proposers being Alexander Marshall Mackenzie and Arthur Clyne of Aberdeen and Francis W Troup of London.

His much younger brother, Douglas Stuart McMillan (born 29 October 1888), also later joined the practice. He was articled to George G Irvine of Aberdeen from 1905 to 1910 before transferring to the family firm, where he remained as assistant until 1911 when he left for British Columbia, Canada to gain experience with a qualified Land Surveyor. Prior to his Canadian trip he attended classes at Robert Gordon's Technical College in Aberdeen. He returned from Canada as principal assistant in his father's and brother's office in 1912. In 1914 he was taken into partnership but from 4 August of that year he served with the Gordon Highlanders in the Expeditionary Force in France rising to the rank of Captain until his discharge on 2 February 1919.

In the 1920s the firm specialised in housing estate work. Duncan McMillan died in Aberdeen on 22 June 1928; his sons continued the practice thereafter. Douglas Stuart McMillan was admitted LRIBA in late 1930, his proposers being William Edgar Gauld, William Liddle Duncan and the then Secretary of the Aberdeen Society of Architects, and was elected FRIBA a year later in the middle of 1931, his proposers being Gauld, George Morrison Hay and Robert Leslie Rollo.

John Ross McMillan died on 9 (or 26?) October 1959, aged 92.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 62, Devanha Gardens West, Aberdeen, ScotlandPrivate  Dates uncertain
Item 2 of 611, Albury Road, Aberdeen, ScotlandPrivateLate 1880s  
Item 3 of 666, Polmuir Road, Aberdeen, ScotlandPrivateLate 1880s  
Item 4 of 6211, Union Street, Aberdeen, ScotlandBusiness1903  
Item 5 of 614, Fonthill Terrace, Aberdeen, ScotlandPrivate1906 *  
Item 6 of 6105, Crown Street, Aberdeen, ScotlandBusiness1914After 1939(?) 

* 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 3Duncan McMillan18851890Apprentice 
Item 2 of 3Duncan McMillan18901893Assistant 
Item 3 of 3D & J R McMillan18931959Partner 

RIBA

RIBA Proposers

The following individuals proposed this for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 3Arthur Clyne4 March 1907for Fellowship
Item 2 of 3Alexander Marshall Mackenzie4 March 1907for Fellowship
Item 3 of 3Francis William Troup4 March 1907for Fellowship

RIBA Proposals

This proposed the following individuals for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 13William George Rowntree BodieLate 1928for Associateship
Item 2 of 13William Arthur Smith CormackLate 1900sfor Associateship
Item 3 of 13Alexander Ellis Diack4 December 1911for Licentiateship
Item 4 of 13James DonaldLate 1921for Associateship
Item 5 of 13Francis Durward5 December 1927For Associateship
Item 6 of 13Lake Falconer (junior)24 June 1912for Licentiateship
Item 7 of 13John Forbes11 May 1936For Associateship
Item 8 of 13Alexander William GrahamLate 1931 or early 1932for Licentiateship
Item 9 of 13George Morrison Hay5 December 1927for Fellowship
Item 10 of 13John Brown Johnston12 April 1937for Associateship
Item 11 of 13John Maclennan5 December 1927for Associateship
Item 12 of 13Albert Ruddiman4 December 1933for Associateship
Item 13 of 13John YeatsLate 1921for Associateship

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 1111892Four houses, Belvidere Crescent  AberdeenScotlandAs assistant to his father prior to being taken into partnership
Item 2 of 1111892Four houses, Belvidere Crescent  AberdeenScotlandAs assistant to his father prior to being taken into partnership
Item 3 of 1111892Mackie AcademyStonehaven KincardineshireScotlandWon competition and secured job - as assistant to his father prior to being taken into partnership
Item 4 of 1111892Peterhead Library and MuseumPeterhead AberdeenshireScotlandAs assistant to his father prior to being taken into partnership
Item 5 of 1111893Hay Memorial HallCornhill BanffshireScotland 
Item 6 of 1111893Strichen Free ChurchStrichen AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 7 of 1111893Two houses, Belvidere Place  AberdeenScotland 
Item 8 of 1111894Brechin Municipal BuildingsBrechin AngusScotland 
Item 9 of 1111894Brechin Post OfficeBrechin AngusScotland 
Item 10 of 1111894Ferryhill Free ChurchFerryhill AberdeenshireScotlandAdditions, including galleries
Item 11 of 1111894House, Menzies RoadTorry AberdeenScotland 
Item 12 of 1111894Lochinver Free Church and manseLochinver SutherlandScotland 
Item 13 of 1111894Wick Post OfficeWick CaithnessScotland 
Item 14 of 1111895Property, Market Street  AberdeenScotland 
Item 15 of 1111896Property, Woolmanhill  AberdeenScotland 
Item 16 of 1111897ArdluiStonehaven KincardineshireScotlandMainly responsible?
Item 17 of 1111897Beechgrove Free Church  AberdeenScotlandPlaced third in competition
Item 18 of 1111897East ChurchPeterhead AberdeenshireScotlandAlterations
Item 19 of 1111897Police station and Police houseDufftown BanffshireScotland 
Item 20 of 1111897Two houses, Albury Road and Albury Place  AberdeenScotland 
Item 21 of 1111898Crown HotelStonehaven KincardineshireScotlandExtension
Item 22 of 1111898Four houses, Bedford Road  AberdeenScotland 
Item 23 of 1111898Marine HotelKirkton of Slains AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 24 of 1111898New Pitsligo Parish ChurchNew Pitsligo AberdeenshireScotlandVestry enlarged
Item 25 of 1111898Property, Belmont Street and Gaelic Lane  AberdeenScotland 
Item 26 of 1111898Property, King Street  AberdeenScotland 
Item 27 of 1111898Turriff Free ChurchTurriff AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 28 of 1111898Unitarian Church  AberdeenScotlandNot built until 1905
Item 29 of 111c. 1898Alexandra HotelFraserburgh AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 30 of 1111899Fochabers Free ChurchFochabers MorayshireScotland 
Item 31 of 1111899Free Church at AberlourAberlour BanffshireScotlandExtension
Item 32 of 1111899Portknockie UP ChurchPortknockie BanffshireScotlandRemodelling
Item 33 of 1111899Two houses, Bedford Road  AberdeenScotland 
Item 34 of 1111900Cullen Free ChurchCullen BanffshireScotland 
Item 35 of 1111900St Andrews UF ChurchBlairgowrie PerthshireScotlandWon competition
Item 36 of 1111901Cluny ManseCluny AberdeenshireScotlandImprovements
Item 37 of 1111901Cults Free ChurchCults AberdeenshireScotlandNew church
Item 38 of 1111901Enzie Parish Church hallPortgordon MorayshireScotland 
Item 39 of 1111901House, West Church StreetBuckie BanffshireScotland 
Item 40 of 1111901Houses, Albury Place  AberdeenScotland 
Item 41 of 1111901King Street UF Church  AberdeenScotland 
Item 42 of 1111901Seven houses, Fonthill Terrace  AberdeenScotland 
Item 43 of 1111901Two dwelling houses, Hamilton Place  AberdeenScotland 
Item 44 of 1111901Two houses, King's Gate  AberdeenScotland 
Item 45 of 1111901Villa for Pat CummingsKeith AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 46 of 1111902Church of Christ  AberdeenScotland 
Item 47 of 1111902Premises of A MacDonald & Sons, merchantsFraserburgh AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 48 of 1111903House and shops, Commerce Street  AberdeenScotland 
Item 49 of 1111903New Pitsligo Parish ChurchNew Pitsligo AberdeenshireScotlandOrgan chamber added
Item 50 of 1111903Six houses, Osborne Place  AberdeenScotland 
Item 51 of 1111903Stonehaven Town hallStonehaven KincardineshireScotlandAdditions and alterations
Item 52 of 1111904Cornhill Free ChurchCornhill BanffshireScotlandRemodelled
Item 53 of 1111904House, Fonthill Road  AberdeenScotland 
Item 54 of 1111904Shops and offices, Upperkirkgate  AberdeenScotland 
Item 55 of 111c. 1904Premises, 69-75 Cross StreetFraserburgh AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 56 of 1111905Good Templar's HallBuckie BanffshireScotland 
Item 57 of 1111905SchoolPortessie BanffshireScotland 
Item 58 of 1111906Four houses, Devanha Gardens  AberdeenScotland 
Item 59 of 1111906House, Devanha Gardens West  AberdeenScotland 
Item 60 of 1111906Two houses, Devanha Gardens  AberdeenScotland 
Item 61 of 1111906Two houses, near Devanha Gardens  AberdeenScotland 
Item 62 of 111Before 1906Cullen Parish Church HallCullen BanffshireScotland 
Item 63 of 111Before 1906Dunbeath Public HallDunbeath CaithnessScotland 
Item 64 of 111Before 1906Ordiquhill Public HallOrdiquhil BanffshireScotland 
Item 65 of 111Before 1906Public HallNew Pitsligo AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 66 of 1111907Villa, 54 Rubislaw Den North  AberdeenScotland 
Item 67 of 1111908Blairgowrie Public SchoolBlairgowrie PerthshireScotlandHeightened by one storey
Item 68 of 1111908Broadsea School (known as Fraserburgh North School at opening)Fraserburgh AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 69 of 1111908(?)Fraserburgh AcademyFraserburgh AberdeenshireScotlandRebuilding - won competition
Item 70 of 1111908The HermitageStonehaven KincardineshireScotland 
Item 71 of 1111908Watten UF ChurchWatten CaithnessScotland 
Item 72 of 1111909InstituteWick CaithnessScotland 
Item 73 of 1111909Wick High SchoolWick CaithnessScotland 
Item 74 of 1111910Pair of Small CottagesBuckie BanffshireScotland 
Item 75 of 1111910Public HallWhitehills BanffshireScotland 
Item 76 of 111c. 1910Brodick ChurchBrodickArranButeScotland 
Item 77 of 1111911Farmhouse, KingseatKingseat AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 78 of 1111912Advocates Hall  AberdeenScotlandConversion to cinema
Item 79 of 1111912Alford Village Public SchoolAlford AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 80 of 1111912House, Queen StreetBuckie BanffshireScotland 
Item 81 of 1111912Portknockie Public SchoolPortknockie, Rathven BanffshireScotland 
Item 82 of 1111912Public SchoolEcht Kirktown AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 83 of 1111912The Post OfficeKeith BanffshireScotland 
Item 84 of 1111913Pair of semi-detached villasStonehaven KincardineshireScotland 
Item 85 of 111c. 1914Cottages in the grounds of Ashley House  AberdeenScotland 
Item 86 of 1111915Buildings for the Northern Co-operative LtdStonehaven KincardineshireScotland 
Item 87 of 111After 1919County of Caithness housing scheme  CaithnessScotland 
Item 88 of 111After 1919Fraserburgh Housing SchemeFraserburgh AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 89 of 111After 1919Housing schemeLerwickMainlandShetlandScotland 
Item 90 of 111After 1919Inverurie Housing SchemeInverurie AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 91 of 111After 1919Laurencekirk Housing SchemeLaurencekirk KincardineshireScotland 
Item 92 of 111After 1919Peterhead Housing schemePeterhead AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 93 of 111After 1919Thurso Housing SchemeThurso CaithnessScotland 
Item 94 of 111After 1919Wick Housing SchemeWick CaithnessScotland 
Item 95 of 1111920War MemorialGamrie BanffshireScotland 
Item 96 of 1111925King Memorial HallGrange BanffshireScotland 
Item 97 of 1111925Two Houses, Deemount Avenue  AberdeenScotland 
Item 98 of 1111925Two Houses, Deemount Gardens,  AberdeenScotland 
Item 99 of 1111926Two Bungalows, Ashley Park Drive  AberdeenScotland 
Item 100 of 111Before 1928Aberchirder Free ChurchAberchirder BanffshireScotland 
Item 101 of 111Before 1928Keith Free ChurchKeith BanffshireScotland 
Item 102 of 111Before 1928St Paul Street School  AberdeenScotland 
Item 103 of 1111930Mackie AcademyStonehaven KincardineshireScotland'in progress'
Item 104 of 1111930New SchoolLaurencekirk KincardineshireScotland'In progress'
Item 105 of 1111930Palladium Cinema  AberdeenScotlandProposed extension scheme
Item 106 of 1111931CinemaHuntly AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 107 of 1111935Bervie Junior Secondary SchoolInverbervie KincardineshireScotlandSchool and fittings
Item 108 of 1111937Kincardine County HospitalStonehaven KincardineshireScotlandLarge extensions
Item 109 of 111Early 1930s(?)Flatted blocks of houses, King StreetStonehaven KincardineshireScotland 
Item 110 of 1111948Aberdeen Town and County Bank Head Office  AberdeenScotlandAlterations
Item 111 of 1111949North of Scotland Bank  AberdeenScotlandAlterations

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 2Johnston, W T2003Artists of Scotland Officina Publications CDROM 
Item 2 of 2Who's Who in Architecture1914    

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 2Builder29 June 1928  Obituary of Duncan MacMillan
Item 2 of 2Prospect Notes1960  Summer

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 2RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert MuseumRIBA Nomination Papers Fellowship Paper: F v18 no 1214
Item 2 of 2Robert Gordon's University ArchiveCollection of plans, manuscripts etc Gray's School of Art records