Basic Biographical Details

Name: Alexander Shairp
Designation:  
Born: c. 1855
Died: 16 April 1906
Bio Notes: Alexander Shairp was born about 1855 in St Ninian's, Stirlingshire, the son of William Shairp, farmer and his wife Elizabeth. In 1871 his profession is described as 'law clerk'. However by 1880 he was practicing as a land agent, civil engineer and architect in Oban, Argyll where he remained for the rest of his career. As a land agent or estate agent he was involved with the sale of various properties in Argyll including part of the Glenmore estate known as Glenbeg in 1892, the house and estate on the Isle of Eriska in 1893, and Creagmoraig, Oban in 1895. He would seem to have been working at that date in partnership with ___McLaren, at least in this side of his business.

He was married to Mary Anne who was a native of Greenock and they had 3 sons and 2 daughters.

Shairp died on 16 April 1906 - his practice was continued at the same address under his name as the 'Measurers' Companion' of 1911 still lists his name.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 3George Street, Oban, Argyll, ScotlandBusiness   
Item 2 of 317, George Street, Oban, Argyll, ScotlandPrivate/business(?)1881  
Item 3 of 3Craigdhu Villa, Oban, Argyll, ScotlandPrivateBefore 1891After 1901 

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 1201880Congregational ChurchOban ArgyllScotland 
Item 2 of 1201884Semi-detached villa, Oban Hilloban ArgyllScotland 
Item 3 of 1201884Six shops, George Street and Queens Park PlaceOban ArgyllScotland 
Item 4 of 1201886Craig Dhu, Gallanach RoadOban ArgyllScotlandArchitect not specified but presumably built for himself.
Item 5 of 1201890Marine HotelOban ArgyllScotlandOriginal building
Item 6 of 1201890Oban DistilleryOban ArgyllScotlandBonded warehouse
Item 7 of 1201890Oban High SchoolOban ArgyllScotland 
Item 8 of 1201890Oban Times buildingOban ArgyllScotlandAlterations to ground floor
Item 9 of 1201890Two semi-detached cottagesOban ArgyllScotland 
Item 10 of 1201892Argyll Square Free English Church hallOban ArgyllScotland 
Item 11 of 1201892Bakehouse, ovens, storeOban ArgyllScotland 
Item 12 of 1201892Eader GlinnOban ArgyllScotland 
Item 13 of 1201892Glenmoraig HotelOban ArgyllScotlandStable, coachhouse and loose boxes
Item 14 of 1201892New HotelOban ArgyllScotland 
Item 15 of 1201892North Uist Parish Church North UistInverness-shireScotland 
Item 16 of 1201892Villa (Tayness) at the Carding MillOban ArgyllScotland 
Item 17 of 1201892Villa, Craigard RoadOban ArgyllScotland 
Item 18 of 1201892Wash house and coal cellars, Campbell StreetOban ArgyllScotland 
Item 19 of 1201893Argyllshire Gathering HallsOban ArgyllScotlandWooden addition to wooden hall
Item 20 of 1201893Glenmoraig HotelOban ArgyllScotlandBoothall, alterations and alterations to plan of hotel in course of erection
Item 21 of 1201893Imperial HotelOban ArgyllScotlandAddition
Item 22 of 1201893National Bank of Scotland, Oban BranchOban ArgyllScotlandAlterations
Item 23 of 1201893Oban Parish ChurchOban ArgyllScotland 
Item 24 of 1201893Shop, George StreetOban ArgyllScotlandShopfront and WC
Item 25 of 1201893Villa, Craigard RoadOban ArgyllScotlandCoach house and stable
Item 26 of 1201894Aerated Water FactoryOban ArgyllScotland 
Item 27 of 1201894Argyllshire Gathering HallsOban ArgyllScotlandShed and porch
Item 28 of 1201894Congregational ChurchOban ArgyllScotlandNew vestry and WC added
Item 29 of 1201894Free High Church Manse, Oban HillOban ArgyllScotlandWashing house and improvements to drainage
Item 30 of 1201894Rockfield Road Public Board SchoolOban ArgyllScotlandAdditions - new lavatories, coal cellars etc
Item 31 of 1201895PierPetersportBenbeculaInverness-shireScotland 
Item 32 of 1201895Premises for the Oban Scientific and Literary AssociationOban ArgyllScotland 
Item 33 of 1201895The Manor HouseOban ArgyllScotlandNew WCs and drainage
Item 34 of 1201896Argyll HotelOban ArgyllScotlandAlterations to hotel and adjoining tenement
Item 35 of 1201896Argyllshire Gathering HallsOban ArgyllScotlandSmall store and alterations
Item 36 of 1201896Auction market and ringOban ArgyllScotland 
Item 37 of 1201896Crannaig-an-MhinsterOban ArgyllScotlandWashing house added
Item 38 of 1201896MonzievairdOban ArgyllScotlandStable and coachhouse
Item 39 of 1201896Oban High SchoolOban ArgyllScotlandAlterations to workroom
Item 40 of 1201896Premises, George Street and Argyll StreetOban ArgyllScotlandConnecting stair and alterations
Item 41 of 1201896RestaurantOban ArgyllScotlandAlterations
Item 42 of 1201896Sheep-dip worksOban ArgyllScotlandKilns
Item 43 of 1201896Villa, LongistanOban ArgyllScotland 
Item 44 of 1201896Watchmaker's shop, 76 George StreetOban ArgyllScotlandAlterations
Item 45 of 120189720-24 George StreetOban ArgyllScotlandAlterations to form two shops
Item 46 of 120189720-24 George StreetOban ArgyllScotland 
Item 47 of 1201897Argyllshire Gathering HallsOban ArgyllScotlandCovered court at rear and new drainage scheme
Item 48 of 1201897Municipal BuildingsOban ArgyllScotlandWon competition and secured job
Item 49 of 1201897Oban High SchoolOban ArgyllScotlandAdditions to lavatories
Item 50 of 1201897Shed adjoining steading, Glencruitten RoadOban ArgyllScotland 
Item 51 of 1201897Shed, Lochside StreetOban ArgyllScotland 
Item 52 of 1201897Shore Street cornerOban ArgyllScotlandRe-erect house as a store
Item 53 of 1201897Station HotelOban ArgyllScotlandFurther alterations in reconstruction
Item 54 of 1201897Tenement of shops and dwelling housesOban ArgyllScotland 
Item 55 of 1201897Tenements, Glenshellach TerraceOban ArgyllScotlandWashing house, behind tenement
Item 56 of 1201897Terrace of houses and Police StationOban ArgyllScotlandHeating chamber and coal cellar
Item 57 of 120c. 1897Tobermory High SchoolTobermoryMullArgyllScotlandAdditions
Item 58 of 1201898Argyll Chemical WorksOban ArgyllScotlandSheep dip works
Item 59 of 1201898Carraig-na-GreineOban ArgyllScotlandSink and WC
Item 60 of 1201898Columba HotelOban ArgyllScotlandPartition in drawing room
Item 61 of 1201898Dalry VillaOban ArgyllScotlandAlterations
Item 62 of 1201898Marine HotelOban ArgyllScotlandLift and other alterations
Item 63 of 1201898Municipal BuildingsOban ArgyllScotlandWashing house and coal cellars
Item 64 of 1201898Oban Times buildingOban ArgyllScotlandAlterations and installation of machinery
Item 65 of 1201898RosebankOban ArgyllScotlandSummer house added
Item 66 of 1201898Semi-detached villasOban ArgyllScotlandPorches and WCs added to 'new villas'
Item 67 of 1201898Stables and coachhouseOban ArgyllScotlandAlterations
Item 68 of 1201898Tenement of dwelling houses, Soroba RoadOban ArgyllScotland 
Item 69 of 1201898Tenements, Glenshellach TerraceOban ArgyllScotlandTenement of 1-room and kitchen
Item 70 of 1201898Terrace of houses and Police StationOban ArgyllScotlandAdditions - cell wing at rear
Item 71 of 1201898Two tenements of 1-room and kitchen workmen's housesOban ArgyllScotland 
Item 72 of 1201899Craig Dhu, Gallanach RoadOban ArgyllScotlandAddition
Item 73 of 1201899Imperial HotelOban ArgyllScotlandBay windows
Item 74 of 1201899Oban Golf Club, greenkeeper's workshopOban ArgyllScotland 
Item 75 of 1201899Soroba Park, shedOban ArgyllScotland 
Item 76 of 1201899Station HotelOban ArgyllScotlandAlterations and cast-iron and glass verandas added
Item 77 of 1201899Tenement of shop and dwellinghousesOban ArgyllScotland 
Item 78 of 1201899Villa for John MacGillivrayOban ArgyllScotland 
Item 79 of 1201899Villa for Mrs Jessie Murray MacNeilOban ArgyllScotland 
Item 80 of 1201900Carpenter's shed, Soroba RoadOban ArgyllScotland 
Item 81 of 1201900Corriebeg CottageOban ArgyllScotlandAddition of storey to cottage
Item 82 of 1201900King's Arms HotelOban ArgyllScotlandSmoking room enlarged
Item 83 of 1201900MonzievairdOban ArgyllScotlandNew windows
Item 84 of 1201900Oban Episcopal Cathedral of St John the DivineOban ArgyllScotlandGallery added
Item 85 of 1201900Six shops, George Street and Queens Park PlaceOban ArgyllScotlandAlterations to shops (George Street and Station Square)
Item 86 of 1201900Studio and workshopsOban ArgyllScotlandStudio
Item 87 of 1201900Tomnacross SchoolKiltarlity Inverness-shireScotlandAdditions and alterations
Item 88 of 1201900Villa for John MacGillivrayOban ArgyllScotlandWorkshop
Item 89 of 1201901Argyllshire Gathering HallsOban ArgyllScotlandCovered stand and tearoom
Item 90 of 1201901Chemist's shopOban ArgyllScotlandAlterations to shop and house
Item 91 of 1201901Craig Dhu, Gallanach RoadOban ArgyllScotlandWashing house
Item 92 of 1201901Premises, George Street and Argyll StreetOban ArgyllScotlandWorkshop
Item 93 of 1201901Premises, George Street and Argyll StreetOban ArgyllScotlandAlterations to roof of workshop used by James Hutton, shoemaker
Item 94 of 1201901Rockfield Road Public Board SchoolOban ArgyllScotlandNew classrooms, playsheds etc and minor alterations
Item 95 of 1201901West Highland Auction MartOban ArgyllScotlandOffices
Item 96 of 1201902Farr Mansionhouse  Inverness-shireScotlandAdditions and alterations
Item 97 of 1201903Electric Light Generating Station, LochavullinOban ArgyllScotlandCoal store
Item 98 of 1201903Marine HotelOban ArgyllScotlandAlterations
Item 99 of 1201903Oban Baptist ChurchOban ArgyllScotland 
Item 100 of 1201903Premises of the Royal Highland Yacht ClubOban ArgyllScotlandAddition of wash house and lavatories
Item 101 of 1201903Waverly Temperance HotelOban ArgyllScotlandAlterations - including bridge or gangway to connect hotel with back building
Item 102 of 1201904Argyll VillaOban ArgyllScotlandOriel windows added
Item 103 of 1201904Bellevue HouseOban ArgyllScotlandAdditions and alterations
Item 104 of 1201904Cottages for the British Aluminium CompanyFoyers Inverness-shireScotland 
Item 105 of 1201904Covered carriage shedOban ArgyllScotland 
Item 106 of 1201904Crannaig-an-MhinsterOban ArgyllScotlandNew villa
Item 107 of 1201904Dr McKelvie Memorial FountainOban ArgyllScotland 
Item 108 of 1201904Photographic studioOban ArgyllScotlandTake down and re-erect and alter studio
Item 109 of 1201904Premises of Dugald Cameron MacLachlanOban ArgyllScotlandWash house and coal cellers
Item 110 of 1201904Store and officesOban ArgyllScotland 
Item 111 of 1201904Tenements, Albany StreetOban ArgyllScotland 
Item 112 of 1201904Tenements, Albany StreetOban ArgyllScotlandAdditional storey on tenement
Item 113 of 1201904Villa for Mrs Elizabeth Davidson or MacCormickOban ArgyllScotland 
Item 114 of 1201905Church hallOban ArgyllScotland 
Item 115 of 1201905Cottage, Dunuaran RoadOban ArgyllScotland 
Item 116 of 1201905Queen's Hotel Buildings (former)Oban ArgyllScotlandWash house and laundry
Item 117 of 1201905Shop and workshop, George StreetOban ArgyllScotlandAdditions and alterations
Item 118 of 1201905Shop, 130 George StreetOban ArgyllScotlandAlterations
Item 119 of 1201905Store, Stevenson StreetOban ArgyllScotlandConvert store into bakehouse
Item 120 of 1201905Tea room and storeOban ArgyllScotland 

References

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 3Glasgow Herald10 October 1892  p3
Item 2 of 3Glasgow Herald19 May 1893  p3
Item 3 of 3Glasgow Herald27 April 1895  p2

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 2Census records onlineCensuses  
Item 2 of 2Courtesy of Jackie Davenport, Archives Officer, Argyll & Bute Council ArchivesInformation sent via 'Contact Us' on website Death date - sent March 2016