Larger versions of these images are located at the foot of the page. Basic Biographical Details Name: | James Campbell Walker | Designation: | Architect | Born: | 11 April 1821 | Died: | 10 January 1888 | Bio Notes: | James Campbell Walker was born at Strathmiglo, Fife on 11 April 1821, the son of Thomas Walker and his wife Barbara Campbell. The Walkers were bleachers (their surname implies that they always had been) but a branch of the family (Archibald Walker and Henry West Walker) had become solicitors in Auchtermuchty. Although Walker was to have considerable success in competitions, these trade and legal connections were to be the bedrock of his practice.
Walker was articled to William Burn in January 1842 through the influence of Onesiphorus Tyndall Bruce of Falkland. His entry in the 'Architects Engineers and Building Trades Directory' suggests that he followed Burn to London but by the 1850s he was certainly back at 131 George Street, Edinburgh as David Bryce's principal clerk, figuring as such in the correspondence with Stewart of Shambellie.
Sometime before September 1854, when still in Bryce's employ, Walker was appointed architect to the Agricultural Labourer's Improvement Association, and began independent practice on a part-time basis from their offices at 51 George Street, Edinburgh. This brought commissions for agricultural dwellings in Sir John Stuart Forbes's Fettercairn and Pitsligo estates, and probably others. Within a couple of years work of this kind had enabled him to set up practice on his own account at 53 Frederick Street, which was evidently house as well as office, in 1856 or very early 1857. In those early years he also made his name as an architect of poorhouses, mainly won in competition, but he also designed a number of sizeable villas with distinctive hammer-dressed long-and-short window dressings, two of which appeared in Blackie's 'Villa and Cottage Architecture', published in 1868. But by the later 1860s he had established a broader-based practice, being commissioned to design the giant Blair Drummond, modelled on Burn's earlier unexecuted schemes for Fonthill, and the plain Waverley Hydropathic at Melrose in which he pioneered the use of mass concrete in Scotland. In 1875 he won the competition for Dunfermline Town Hall and in 1883 that for Hawick Town Hall, both outstanding buildings of the Bryce Franco Scottish school with imaginative sculpture.
In 1869 Walker moved to 2 North East Circus Place, again house as well as office, from which address he practised until his death. In his later years he benefited from the death of David Bryce in 1876, acquiring a significant clientele for country house work which included the Duke of Atholl and the Earl of Home.
In 1875 Walker married a much younger cousin, Agnes Walker, third daughter of Edward Walker, then living at Eastbourne, by whom he had two daughters, both born in Edinburgh: Edith Emily was born in 1878 and Alice Campbell was born in 1880. Late in 1886 or early in 1887 Walker became ill with chronic bronchitis. He died on 10 January 1888 and was buried at Auchtermuchty, his death being reported by his bleacher brother George, then living at 11 Leamington Terrace, Edinburgh. He left no will, his pre-nuptial marriage settlement being treated as one as it sufficiently provided for his widow and any children of the marriage. At the time of his death his estate was somewhat complicated as he was then administering that of his brother David who lived at Strathmiglo and at 22 Leamington Terrace, Edinburgh, and had died at Southport on 22 January 1886: £969 2s 5d was still due to George as the surviving brother. Although he owned no heritable property, James Campbell Walker left the then substantial net estate of £8,245 11s, mainly invested in American and colonial stocks. His inventory records work for Henry Cook (probably the Edinburgh WS, £21 19s), Sir John D Hope (presumably work on Pinkie House and/or estate, £82 0s.), R Hall & Co (£36 15s) and the Trustees of the late J A Beveridge (£250, not yet traced, implies major building work).
After his death the lease of his house and office at 2 North East Circus Place was immediately given up. Agnes may have moved back to Eastbourne where she had at least one brother, David.
James Campbell Walker's practice was continued by his draughtsman Henry W Walker (perhaps a son of the Auchtermuchty solicitor of that name) from an office in Albert Buildings, Shandwick Place: the drawings for the alterations at Myres Castle, Auchtermuchty in 1887-1889 bear both the North East Circus Place and Shandwick Place addresses. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this architect: | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes |  | 131, George Street, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | | | In 1850s as clerk to David Bryce |  | 51, George Street, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | 1854 | 1856 | As architect to the Agricultural Labourers Improvement Association |  | 53, Frederick Street, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private/business | c. 1858 | 1869 | |  | 2, North East Circus Place, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private/business | 1869 | 1888 | |
Employment and TrainingEmployersThe following individuals or organisations employed or trained this architect (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date from | Date to | Position | Notes |  | William Burn | January 1842 | 1844 | Apprentice | |  | Burn & Bryce | 1844 | 1849(?) | Assistant | Initially still an apprentice |  | David Bryce | 1849(?) | 1856 or early 1857 | Principal Clerk | |
Employees or PupilsThe following individuals were employed or trained by this architect (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date from | Date to | Position | Notes |  | James Bow Dunn | March 1876 | 1881 | Apprentice | |
Buildings and DesignsThis architect was involved with the following buildings or structures from the date specified (click on an item to view details): | | Date started | Building name | Town, district or village | Island | City or county | Country | Notes |  | | Lanrick Castle | | | Perthshire/Stirlingshire | Scotland | Lodge - HS attrbution? |  | | Monkton | Old Craighall | | Midlothian | Scotland | Some plans in Lorimer Collection |  | Between 1850 and 1860 | Anglefield Croft | Fettercairn | | Kincardineshire | Scotland | |  | 1854 | Pair of cottages | | | | Scotland | |  | 1854 | Pair of cottages | | | | Scotland | |  | 1854 | Pair of cottages with attics | | | | Scotland | |  | 1854 | Two storey cottage | | | | Scotland | |  | After 1854 | Craigiebanks Bothy | | | | Scotland | |  | 1855 | Lodging house for unmarried workmen | | | | Scotland | |  | 1855 | Single cottage | | | | Scotland | |  | 1855 | Smiddy | New Pitsligo | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | |  | 1856 | Blacksmith's cottage | New Pitsligo | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | |  | 1856 | Castleton Bothy | | | | Scotland | Additions |  | 1856 | Craigmoston Bothy | Craigmoston | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | |  | 1857 | Double cottage | | | | Scotland | As agent to the Agricultural Labourers Improvement Association. |  | 1857 | Langlee House, Porter's Lodge | | | Roxburghshire | Scotland | As architect to the Agricultural Labourers Improvement Association |  | 1857 | Single cottage | | | | Scotland | |  | 1857 | Single storey cottage | | | | Scotland | |  | 1857 | Two storey cottages | | | | Scotland | |  | Before 1857 | Pauper cottages | | | | Scotland | |  | 1859 | Galashiels Poorhouse | Galashiels | | Selkirkshire | Scotland | |  | 1859 | Old Calabar | Lundin Links | | Fife | Scotland | |  | 1859 | Old Field | Lundin Links | | Fife | Scotland | |  | 1860 | Cottage and saddlery | | | | Scotland | As agent to the Agricultural Labourers Improvement Association. |  | 1860 | Cottage and schoolroom | | | | Scotland | Conversion to cottage and shop |  | 1860 | Dysart Combination Poorhouse | Thornton | | Fife | Scotland | |  | 1860 | Langlee | Galashiels | | Selkirkshire | Scotland | |  | c. 1860 | 24 and 26 Mansionhouse Road | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | HS says 'style of James Campbell Walker' |  | c. 1860 | Cottage | | | | Scotland | Appears to be by Walker |  | 1861 | Atholl and Breadalbane Poorhouse | Logierait | | Perthshire | Scotland | |  | 1861 | Daneshalt school and schoolhouse | Dunshelt/Cupar Muir | | Fife | Scotland | |  | 1862 | Auchterarder Poorhouse | Auchterarder | | Perthshire | Scotland | |  | 1862 | Dumbarton Combination Poorhouse | Dumbarton | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Original building |  | 1862 | Single storey cottage | | | | Scotland | |  | c. 1862 | 11 and 13 Tantallon Place | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | HS says 'style of James Campbell Walker' |  | 1863 | 5 Ettrick Road | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | 1863 | 5 Napier Road | Merchiston | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | 1863 | Arngask School | Glenfarg | | Perthshire | Scotland | |  | 1863 | Collessie School and Schoolmaster's House | Collessie | | Fife | Scotland | Addition to schoolmaster's house |  | 1863 | Kirtle Lodge | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | 1863 | Stonehaven Co Buildings | Stonehaven | | Kincardineshire | Scotland | |  | 1863 | Stonehaven Sheriff Court | Stonehaven | | Kincardineshire | Scotland | New front building |  | 1865 | Fettercairn workmen's houses | Fettercairn | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | |  | 1865 | Islay Combination Poorhouse | Bowmore | Bowmore | Argyll | Scotland | |  | 1865 | Pitlochry School | Pitlochry | | Perthshire | Scotland | |  | 1865 | Rabbit Hall | Portobello | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | 1865 | Two Baronial villas adjacent to Rabbit Hall | Portobello | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | 1865 | Two houses, Skene Street | Strathmiglo | | Fife | Scotland | |  | 1865 | Wardie House | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Additions |  | 15 November 1865 | Collessie Parish Church | Collessie | | Fife | Scotland | Alterations (improvement to 'arrangements for Baptism and Comomunion) - by 'Walker' (presumably James Campbell Walker) |  | Before 1865 | Auchtermuchty Primary School | Auchtermuchty | | Fife | Scotland | Original school |  | Before 1865 | Episcopal School | New Pitsligo | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | |  | Before 1865 | Glencorse School | Glencorse | | Midlothian | Scotland | |  | Before 1865 | Mr Smeaton's School | St Andrews | | Fife | Scotland | |  | Before 1865 | School | | Mull | Argyll | Scotland | |  | Before 1865 | School | Appin | | Argyll | Scotland | |  | 1867 | Beachborough Villa | Portobello | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | c. 1867 | Eastbourne House | Portobello | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | 1868(?) | Blair Drummond House | | | Perthshire | Scotland | New house, stables, gamekeeper's house |  | Before 1868 | Netherby | Galashiels | | Selkirkshire | Scotland | |  | 1869 | Waverley Hydropathic | Melrose | | Roxburghshire | Scotland | |  | 1870 | Moulin Church | Pitlochry | | Perthshire | Scotland | Rebuilding and remodelling of fire damaged church, spire added |  | c. 1870 | St James Terrace, Bath Street | Portobello | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | 1872 | Balbirnie Estate, Sweetbank Farmhouse | Markinch | | Fife | Scotland | Additions |  | 1872 | Myres Castle | Auchtermuchty | | Fife | Scotland | Repairs and alterations |  | 1874 | 16 Castle Street | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Alterations and addition at rear (with John Watherston & Sons as builders) |  | 1874 | Balbirnie House, including walled garden and stables | Markinch | | Fife | Scotland | Alterations to gates and screen wall |  | 1875 | Dunfermline Municipal Buildings | Dunfermline | | Fife | Scotland | Won in competition |  | 1877 | Aberdour Manse | Aberdour | | Fife | Scotland | Reported on repairs and alterations |  | 1877 | Aberdour Parish Church | Aberdour | | Fife | Scotland | Heritors approve report by Walker for repairs and alterations |  | 1877 | Balbirnie Estate, Dams Farmhouse | Markinch | | Fife | Scotland | |  | 1877 | Kirkmichael Parish Church | Kirkmichael | | Perthshire | Scotland | Alterations and repairs |  | 1877 | Kirkmichael Parish School | Kirkmichael | | Perthshire | Scotland | Enlargement |  | 1877 | Markinch Cemetery Lodge, Northall | Markinch | | Fife | Scotland | |  | 1877 | Small Houses at West End | Markinch | | Fife | Scotland | Plans dated 1880 |  | 1878 | Balbirnie Estate, Nottingham Farmhouse, cartshed and granary | Markinch | | Fife | Scotland | |  | 1879 | Old Parish Church | Arngask | | Perthshire | Scotland | Interior renovated and windows inserted under gallery |  | 1880 | Blair Castle | Blair Atholl | | Perthshire | Scotland | Alterations - kitchen, new chimney |  | 1880 | Dunfermline Carnegie Library | Dunfermline | | Fife | Scotland | |  | 1880 | Dwelling house, lodge and gateway for James Dewar | Lassodie | | Fife | Scotland | |  | 1880 | Houses at West Markinch | Markinch | | Fife | Scotland | |  | 1880 | Kinnaird House | Little Dunkeld | | Perthshire | Scotland | New wing, including alterations to kitchen |  | 1881 | Balbirnie Estate, Lalathan Farmhouse | Markinch | | Fife | Scotland | |  | 1881 | Ladybank Parish Church | Ladybank | | Fife | Scotland | |  | 1882 | Parish Church | Lilliesleaf | | Roxburghshire | Scotland | Major enlargement |  | 1883 | Hawick Town Hall | Hawick | | Roxburghshire | Scotland | Won competition to secure job |  | 1883 | Thistle Golf Club | Leven | | Fife | Scotland | |  | 1884 | Ancrum Police Station | Ancrum | | Roxburghshire | Scotland | |  | March 1884 | The Hirsel | Coldstream | | Berwickshire | Scotland | Small addition and alterations, since demolished - plans dated |  | 1885 | Blair Castle | Blair Atholl | | Perthshire | Scotland | Addition to centre of south wing |  | 1885 | Blair Castle | Blair Atholl | | Perthshire | Scotland | Additions and alterations including new ballroom wing and new bedroom |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this architect: | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes |  | Architects Engineers and Building Trades Directory | 1868 | Architect's, Engineer's and Building Trades' Directory | | London, Wyman | |  | Johnston, W T | 2003 | Artists of Scotland | | Officina Publications CDROM | |  | Pride, Glen L | 1999 | The Kingdom of Fife | 2nd Edition | The Rutland Press | p176 |  | Scotlands People Website | | Wills & Testaments | | | Edinburgh Sheriff Court Inventories SC70/1/266 and Edinburgh Sheriff Court Wills SC70/4/231 and Inventories Sc70/1/266 |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this architect: | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes |  | Don Montague via the website | Information fron Don Montague | | Sent February 2008 |  | GRO | Census 1881 | | Volume 685-1/EnumDist 103/page 8 |
Images © All rights reserved. Edinburgh Architectural Association 1907 Exhibition Catalogue |