Larger versions of these images are located at the foot of the page. Basic Biographical Details Name: | Leslie Grahame Thomson (or Leslie Grahame-Thomson; later Leslie Grahame MacDougall) | Designation: | Architect | Born: | 14 August 1896 | Died: | 3 June 1974 | Bio Notes: | Leslie Grahame MacDougall was born Leslie Grahame Thomson on 14 August 1896, the son of Patrick William Thomson, departmental store proprietor. He was educated at Merchiston Castle School and was called up at the end of his final year, serving first with the Highland Light Infantry and as a sergeant in the Army Pay Department, and from 1917 in Egypt and Palestine with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force. On his return he commenced his architectural training at Edinburgh College of Art under Sir George Washington Browne and John Begg and was articled to Sir Robert Lorimer. The course ended with a full-time year at the end of which he and another student were the first to complete the full recognised RIBA diploma course giving exemption from the qualifying exam and he was admitted ARIBA on 14 February 1927. Prior to this he had travelled widely listing Italy, France, Switzerland, Belgium, Holland, Norway, Greece as well as the places in which he saw active service - Constantinople, Palestine, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria and Syria.
In 1927 Thomson set up practice on his own account at 10 St Colme Street, moving to 6 Ainslie Place in 1930 or 1931. Through a combination of sheer ability, excellent presentation watercolours and family connections he was successful at once. Initially he worked in a markedly Lorimer-influenced style but quickly moved into a white-walled style with American-Italian and sometimes 'Cape Dutch' elements similar to those adopted by Oldrieve Bell & Paterson, the last of these, William Paterson being a particular friend. Later Scandinavian influences took a hold over him, following a number of study tours abroad, a development also associated with Frank James Connell who became his partner in late 1937 and had a large hand in the Caledonian Insurance Building. In 1936 he received the commission for the new headquarters building for the National Bank of Scotland but his more conservative design for it did not meet with the approval of the bank and Arthur Davis of Mewes & Davis was brought in as consultant to redesign the elevations. The practice was backed up by a magnificent library sold in 1983. As was remarked at the time, 'he had absolutely everything'. Thomson was elected FRIBA on 21 June 1937, his proposers being Reginald Fairlie, Frank Charles Mears and John Fraser Matthew. He was also elected ARSA in that year. The partnership with Connell ended when the latter was called up, and during the Second World War Thomson taught for a short period at Edinburgh College of Art from want of other work.
After the war Connell joined the staff of the Scottish office as an architect-planner, ending his career as a Regional Planning Officer. Thomson resumed practice as sole partner and was elected a full Academician in 1949. For a number of years he was joint secretary of the Association for the Preservation of Rural Scotland with Sir Frank Mears; he was also President of the RIAS between 1953 and 1955 and President of the Edinburgh Architectural Association 1949-1951.
In 1933 Thomson married Barbara Mary Henderson, daughter of chartered accountant Kenneth Henderson, and built Srongarbh (also known as Srongara or Strongara) in West Linton as their marital home. This marriage broke down but in 1949 Thomson married Coline (Collean) Helen Elizabeth MacDougall. She became Clan Chief as Madame MacDougall of MacDougall in 1953 and, on the instigation of Lord Lyon King of Arms of Scotland, her husband took the name of MacDougall in lieu of Thomson (officially changed 21 May 1953), their main residence becoming Dunollie Castle, Oban. The practice, however, continued as Leslie Grahame-Thomson & Associates. In the early 1960s an office opened at 2 Shore Street, Oban and by the late 1960s the Edinburgh office was being run down. MacDougall never completely retired, maintaining a small specialist practice from Dunollie from 1972 or 1973 until he died on 3 June 1974. In the last few years of his life he was working on a book on Dunollie and the Clan MacDougall, but it is unclear whether this ever reached publication.
Publications:
'The Student's vista', RIAS Quarterly Spring 1924, no 9 'The late Sir Robert Lorimer and his work' RIAS Quarterly 1929, no 31 'Concerning this heritage' RIAS Quarterly 1932 no 38 'Christian symbolism' Transactions of the Scottish Ecclesiological Society v.14 1951 part 3 'Centurial message' RIAS Quarterly February 1955, no 99 'The Reid Memorial Church', guidebook | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this architect: | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes |  | Inglewood/18, Hermitage Drive, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private | c. 1925 | c. 1926 | |  | 10, St Colme Street, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | 1926 | c. 1930 | |  | 6, Ainslie Place, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | c. 1931 | After 1964 | |  | Srongara/Srongarbh/Strongara (later The Neuk), West Linton, Peeblesshire, Scotland | Private | 1933 | After 1937 | |  | 108, Old Brompton Road, London, England | Business | 1947 * | | |  | Dunollie Castle, Oban, Argyll, Scotland | Private | 1953 | 1974 | |  | 2, Shore Street, Oban, Argyll, Scotland | Business | 1966 * | After 1970 | |
* earliest date known from documented sources.
Employment and TrainingEmployersEmployees or Pupils
RIBARIBA ProposersRIBA Proposals
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 |  | | Gometra House | Isle of Gometra | | Argyll | Scotland | Proposed additions |  | | Nursing Home | Inverness | | Inverness-shire | Scotland | |  | | Rossall, church | Rossall | | Lancashire | England | No date. Plans for panelling in apse |  | 1924 | House with four public rooms | | | | Scotland | Inscribed on draeings 'Leslie G Thomson ARIBA 10 St Colme Street, Edinburgh' |  | c. 1925 | Stock Exchange | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | After 1926 | Alterations and interior decoration of town house | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | After 1926 | House for A Warren | | | Argyll | Scotland | |  | After 1926 | House for F C Drummond Hay | Dunkeld | | Perthshire | Scotland | |  | After 1926 | House for J H Lamb | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | After 1926 | House for Mrs Yooll | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | After 1926 | House for Rev Mitchell | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | After 1926 | Ronachan | Clachan | | Argyll | Scotland | Alterations |  | After 1926 | Trinity Church | Bromley | | Kent | England | Alterations |  | 1927 | Bungalow at Dunkeld | Dunkeld | | Perthshire | Scotland | |  | c. 1928 | House at Colinton for Miss Ross | Colinton | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | c. 1928 | House at Murrayfield | Murrayfield | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | c. 1928 | St John's Church | Perth | | Perthshire | Scotland | Sketch plan of window (signed by Leslie Graham Thomson & Associates) |  | 1929 | House for Mrs B S Clark | Murrayfield | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | 1929 | Reid Memorial Church (and church officer's house) | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | c. 1930 | Community for the Aged | | | | Scotland | |  | c. 1930 | Dumfries Municipal Chambers | Dumfries | | Dumfriesshire | Scotland | Competition drawings (not successful) |  | c. 1930 | House for Miss Webb-Bowen | Swanston | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | c. 1930 | House in East Lothian | | | East Lothian | Scotland | |  | c. 1930 | Luton Town Hall and Municipal Buildings | Luton | | Bedfordshire | England | Competition design? |  | c. 1930 | Scottish Ideal Home Exhibition | Kelvin Hall | | Glasgow | Scotland | Competition entry for All Scottish House competition - not successful |  | c. 1930 | St Baldred's Episcopal Church | North Berwick | | East Lothian | Scotland | Doorway, including decoration and lettering in Houldsworth porch |  | c. 1930 | St John's Church | Lattingtown | Long Island | New York | United States of America | Drawings of front elevation - alterations? Also font |  | c. 1930 | Tigh-na-Greine | Dunkeld | | Perthshire | Scotland | |  | c. 1930 | Unidentified bungalow | | | | | |  | c. 1930 | Unidentified detached house | | | | Scotland | |  | 1931 | 1, 2 Rothesay Terrace | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Alterations |  | 1931 | Morningside Parish Church | Morningside | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Chancel furnishings and other timber work (blind arcade panelling of roof) |  | 1931 | Prototype houses for rural housing | | | | Scotland | In conjunction with Sir Frank Mears |  | 1932 | Ardnasaid, Easter Belmont Road | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | 1932 | Church of St Margaret and St Louis | Connel | | Argyll | Scotland | Proposed design - not built |  | 1932 | RIBA Headquarters | | | London | England | Competition design |  | 1933 | Srongarbh | West Linton | | Peeblesshire | Scotland | |  | 1933 | UP Church, Alva | Alva | | Clackmannanshire | Scotland | Communion table and chairs |  | 1934 | National Bank of Scotland, Edinburgh West End | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Reconstruction |  | Before 1934 | Schematic renovation scheme for typical square Scottish church | | | | | |  | 1935 | Aged Christian Friend Home | Inverness | | Inverness-shire | Scotland | |  | 1935 | Greenfield | Duror | | Argyll | Scotland | |  | 1936 | Alerigg | Linthill | | Roxburghshire | Scotland | |  | 1936 | Civic Building | | | | | |  | 1936 | National Bank of Scotland Head Office | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Original design and interior |  | 1936 | Newhall | Lilliesleaf | | Roxburghshire | Scotland | Alterations? FRIBA nomination paper states that he did a new house for Colonel Marshall in Roxburghshire. |  | 1936 | St Mungo's Parish Church | Alloa | | Clackmannanshire | Scotland | Internal reconstruction, including new pulpit, font and lectern (some of this work in partnership with Connell) |  | 1936 | Whitefoord House, premises for Lady Haig Poppy Factory | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | October 1936 | Premises for Darling & Co | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Proposed alterations |  | 1937 | Caledonian Insurance Building | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | 1937 | Fairmilehead Parish Church | Fairmilehead | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | 1937 | House in Killearn | Killearn | | Stirlingshire | Scotland | |  | 1937 | Parish Church | Dalmellington | | Ayrshire | Scotland | Reconstruction |  | Before 1937 | The Pantiles Roadhouse | West Linton | | Peeblesshire | Scotland | |  | c. 1937 | Becketsfield | Bowden | | Roxburghshire | Scotland | |  | 1938 | Exhibition Halls, Waverley Market | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Competition entry |  | 1938 | House in Killearn | Killearn | | Stirlingshire | Scotland | |  | 1938 | New house at Crieff | Crieff | | Perthshire | Scotland | |  | 1938 | New premises for Young Women's Christian Association | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | 1938 | Struan Church | Blair Atholl | | Perthshire | Scotland | |  | 1939 | A'Chomraich | Silverburn | | Midlothian | Scotland | |  | 1939 | Midmar Castle | Echt | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Proposed restoration - not executed |  | 1939 | Town's Churches, Old St Paul's | | | Dundee | Scotland | Plain oak pews |  | c. 1939 | Town's Churches, St Mary's Church and church hall | | | Dundee | Scotland | Reseating, oak screen etc |  | Late 193L | Allan Breck Hotel | Ballachulish | | Argyll | Scotland | |  | 1940 | House | Bowden | | Roxburghshire | Scotland | |  | c. 1940 | House for R Wotherspoon Esq | Inverness | | Inverness-shire | Scotland | Proposed alterations |  | c. 1940 | Wooden House | West Linton | | Peeblesshire | Scotland | |  | 1941 | Church at the Cape of Good Hope | | | Cape of Good Hope | South Africa | Not executed? |  | 1943 | City of Glasgow Bank | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Alterations to Merchant company Hall |  | 1943 | House in Argyll | | | Argyll | Scotland | 'Proposed house' |  | 1944 | Free High Church | Inverness | | Inverness-shire | Scotland | Design for restoration |  | 1945 | Moncur Memorial Church | | Stronsay | Orkney | Scotland | Building executed c1948-53 |  | 1945 | Scottish provincial bank and agent's house | | | | Scotland | |  | 1945 | Westminister Abbey, Imperial War Memorial | Westminster | | London | England | |  | After 1945 | Melville Monument | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Railing round boundary walls |  | 1946 | A'Chomraich | Silverburn | | Midlothian | Scotland | Execution or completion of work? - or simply presentation drawings dated? |  | 1946 | Charlotte Square | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Layout redesigned |  | 1946 | Farmhouse, Ronachan | | | Argyll | Scotland | |  | 1946 | Holy Trinity Church | Merrylee | | Glasgow | Scotland | War memorial organ screens |  | January 1946 | Westminster Abbey, Hall of Remembrance | Westminster | | London | England | |  | 1947 | 6 Ainslie Place | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | 1947 | Barcaldine Castle | | | Argyll | Scotland | Proposed alterations |  | 1947 | Canonmills Clock | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | 1947 | Country house design | | | | Scotland | |  | 1947 | Dunstaffnage Castle | | | Argyll | Scotland | Alterations |  | 1947 | House at Inverness | Inverness | | Inverness-shire | Scotland | |  | 1947 | St Andrew Square, railings, gates and paths | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | New railings instated |  | 1947 | Tummel Garry Hydro Electric Scheme, Pitlochry Dam and Power Station | Pitlochry | | Perthshire | Scotland | Competition design - not successful |  | 1948 | Community Centre | Kirkbean | | Kirkcudbrightshire | Scotland | 'Proposed community centre' |  | 1948 | Free High Church | Inverness | | Inverness-shire | Scotland | Restoration of church after fire (including communion table and minister's chair) |  | 1948 | Holy Trinity Parish Church | St Andrews | | Fife | Scotland | Memorial niche and panelling of Hunter aisle (executed by Scott Morton) |  | 1948 | UP Church, Alva | Alva | | Clackmannanshire | Scotland | Pulpit |  | 1949 | North of Scotland Hydro Electric Board Headquarters | Pitlochry | | Perthshire | Scotland | Project model exhibited 1971 |  | 1950 | Christ Scientist Church | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Designs drawn up |  | 1950 | Lochnell Castle | Benderloch (near) | | Argyll | Scotland | Alterations |  | 1950 | Ravelrig | Balerno | | Midlothian | Scotland | Alterations |  | 1950 | Strathmore House | Murrayfield | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | 1950 | Summerfield House | | | | Scotland | |  | 1950 | Torrisdale Castle | Carradale | | Argyll | Scotland | Cottage at home farm |  | c. 1950 | Casa Francesca | Kingston | Jamaica | Jamaica | West Indies | |  | c. 1950 | Cathedral of the Holy Cross | | | Colombo | Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon, un | Competition design |  | c. 1950 | Coventry Cathedral | Coventry | | Warwickshire | England | Competition designs |  | c. 1950 | House in Midlothian | | | Midlothian | Scotland | |  | c. 1950 | Ulva Cottage | Salen | Mull | Argyll | Scotland | |  | 1951 | Housing Scheme, Maidencraig Court and Queensferry Road | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | For multi-storey scheme |  | 1951 | Junction Road UP Church | Leith | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Lectern |  | 1951 | Longstone Parish Church | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | 1951 | Small factory in the West Highlands | | | | Scotland | |  | 1951 | The Old Tolbooth | Stonehaven | | Kincardineshire | Scotland | Restoration |  | c. 1951 | Ardalum House | Ulva | | Argyll | Scotland | Alterations? |  | 1952 | Coldstream Parish Church | Coldstream | | Berwickshire | Scotland | Furnishings |  | 1952 | Inveresk Manse | Inveresk | | Midlothian | Scotland | |  | 1952 | Torrisdale Castle | Carradale | | Argyll | Scotland | Proposed alterations on castle |  | 1953 | Hopelands | Silverburn | | Midlothian | Scotland | |  | 1954 | Christ's Church Dunollie | Oban | | Argyll | Scotland | |  | 1954 | Church of Scotland Church Buildings, The Esplanade | Oban | | Argyll & Bute | Scotland | To prepare plans for new church buildings |  | 1954 | Lochgilphead District Asylum for the Insane | Lochgilphead | | Argyll | Scotland | New medical officer's house and conversion of byre into church |  | 1954 | Maidencraig Court (Block of flats) | Blackhall | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | 1954 | Memorial to Colonel MacDougall of MacDougall | | | | Scotland | |  | 1954 | Tigh-na-Mara, Kilmelford | Kilmelford | | Argyll | Scotland | Conversion of old school to dwelling house |  | 1955 | Briglands | Rumbling Bridge | | Kinross-shire | Scotland | Plans drawn up for new bathroom in lodge |  | 1955 | House at Appin (Tigh Bhaan) | Appin | | Argyll | Scotland | |  | 1955 | Tranent Old Parish Church | Tranent | | East Lothian | Scotland | Internal remodelling and additions, including porches in re-entrant angles to north and south |  | c. 1955 | Ulva House | | | Argyll | Scotland | |  | 1956 | St Colm's Church Manse, Moulin | Pitlochry | | Perthshire | Scotland | |  | 1957 | En-Dah-Win, Camus Ban | Oban | | Argyll | Scotland | |  | 1957 | Lednock Power Station | Loch Lednock | | Perthshire | Scotland | |  | 1957 | St Moluag's Church | Appin | | Argyll | Scotland | |  | 1957 | Sydney Opera House | | | Sydney | Australia | Competition design |  | 1959 | City of Glasgow Bank | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Restoration of Marwick southern part |  | 1959 | House for Messrs J & A MacDougall, Camus Ban | Oban | | Argyll | Scotland | |  | 1959 | House for R Beattie, Camus Ban | Oban | | Argyll | Scotland | |  | 1959 | Shackleford House | Gatwick | | Surrey | England | |  | c. 1959 | Loch Breaclaich Project (Dam and Reservoir) | Loch Breaclaich | | Perthshire | Scotland | |  | 1960 | House in Argyll | | | Argyll | Scotland | |  | 1960 | St George's Parish Church | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Survey plans |  | 1960 | Struan Church | Blair Atholl | | Perthshire | Scotland | |  | c. 1960 | House at Ganavan | Oban | | Argyll | Scotland | |  | c. 1960 | Liverpool RC Cathedral of Christ the King | | | Liverpool | England | Competition design |  | c. 1960 | The Carding Mill | Oban | | Argyll | Scotland | Reconstruction |  | 1961 | House at Camus Ban | Oban | | Argyll | Scotland | |  | 1962 | Doctor's house, Balvicar | Isle of Seil | | Argyll | Scotland | |  | 1962 | Ederline Home Farm | | | Argyll | Scotland | New garage |  | 1962 | Lagganmore | Kilninver | | Argyll | Scotland | Alterations and additions |  | 1962 | Melfort House | | | Argyll | Scotland | |  | 1966 | Ardantiobairt | Morven | | Argyll | Scotland | Alterations and additions |  | 1966 | House for the Captain of Dunstaffnage | Dunstaffnage | | Argyll | Scotland | |  | 1966 | St Mungo's Parish Church | Alloa | | Clackmannanshire | Scotland | Additions at gables. Also proposed chancel, choir room and session house |  | 1967 | Ulva House | | | Argyll | Scotland | Rebuilding after fire |  | 1968 | Dunollie House | Oban | | Argyll | Scotland | Interior alterations? |  | 1968 | Ederline new house | | | Argyll | Scotland | |  | 1968 | Ganavan Housing development | Oban | | Argyll | Scotland | |  | Early 196E | Morvern Lodge | Oban | | Argyll | Scotland | Alterations |  | Late 1960s | Achara | | | Argyll | Scotland | Modifications |  | 1970 | Clydesdale Bank Manager's House | Oban | | Argyll | Scotland | |  | 1970 | Dunollie House | Oban | | Argyll | Scotland | Design for alterations in 1820 wing |  | 1972 | Gylen Castle | Isle of Kerrera | | Argyll | Scotland | Proposed restoration - not carried out |  | 1972 | House at Camus Ban | Oban | | Argyll | Scotland | Design exhibited |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this architect: | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes |  | G, A E | 1956 | Leslie Grahame MacDougall (profile) | Autumn, no 105 | RIAS Quarterly | |  | Glendinning, Miles | 1997 | Rebuilding Scotland: The Postwar Vision, 1945-75 | | Tuckwell Press Ltd | p8 Proposals for North of Scotland Hydro Electric Board Headquarters, Pitlochry |  | MacDougall, H | | Christ's Church Dunollie, 1901-1957, 1993 | | | |  | Martin-Kaye, Hugh (ed.) | 1947 | Leslie Grahame MacDougall | January | Architecture Illustrated volume 26 no 200 (Entire issue devoted to MacDougall's work) | |  | Merchiston Castle School | | Merchiston Castle School Register, 1833-1962 | | | |  | Municipal Annual | 1964 | Scottish Municipal Annual | 1964-1965 | | |  | Post Office Directories | | | | | |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this architect: | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes |  | Builder | 4 July 1947 | | | p12-4 |  | Builder | 2 February 1951 | | | p186 |  | Builder | 21 May 1954 | | | p918 |  | RIAS Quarterly | August 1953 | 93 | Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) | p2 Official change of name and biography on election to presidency of the RIAS |  | Scotsman | 13 March 1937 | | | |  | Scotsman | 5 June 1974 | | | Obituary |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this architect: | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes |  | RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum | RIBA Nomination Papers | | F no3402 (box 22); A no 4043 (Box 7) |
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