Larger versions of these images are located at the foot of the page. Basic Biographical Details Name: | Thomas Mackenzie | Designation: | Architect | Born: | 1814 | Died: | 15 October 1854 | Bio Notes: | Thomas Mackenzie was born in 1814, son of Alexander Mackenzie, architect, St Martins, Perthshire, and his wife Janet Davidson. The precise date of his birth is not known, but he was christened on 9 October. He was articled to his eldest brother William Macdonald Mackenzie, and was in the office of his brother David in Dundee in 1835 when he submitted a design for the Watt Institution there, which was not accepted, George Angus's being preferred. In the same year Thomas moved to Aberdeen and would appear to have been briefly in the office of John Smith before moving to Archibald Simpson's, still in the same year. He remained there until 1839, publishing lithographs of Simpson's Marischal College, Market Street and New Market and of St Nicholas spire. In 1839 he moved to Elgin as principal assistant to William Robertson, who died in June 1841, his practice being inherited by his nephews Alexander and William Reid. Mackenzie then commenced practice in Elgin on his own account. He was successful at once, securing the commission for Elgin Museum, and went on to become an extremely accomplished classical and Italianate architect in a style developed from Simpson's late work. In 1844 he formed a partnership with James Matthews, who had been serving his apprenticeship to Simpson when he was assistant there. Initially, Mackenzie did most of the designing in Elgin, Matthews attending to the management of the Aberdeen office. In 1844 they won the competition for the Free Church College (New College) in Edinburgh, in a competition assessed by Sir Charles Barry. The perspective, formerly at Bourtie, is now in the possession of Professor Alistair Rowan. The competition was set aside, however, and the commission given to W H Playfair.
On 22 July 1845, Mackenzie married Helen Margaret McInnes of Dandaleith, Rothes, at Rothes. The house and office was at Ladyhill, Elgin, to which he made Romanesque and baronial additions. In the late 1840s the London architect Robert William Billings became a particular friend when working on the Baronial and Ecclesiastical Antiquities of Scotland, their common interest in the subject resulting in Mackenzie being a particularly literate exponent of the Scots Baronial idiom. In 1851 articles by Mackenzie on ancient architecture in Moray appeared in the Elgin Courant in consecutive issues (11,18 & 23 April 1851).
Mackenzie died of brain fever - apparently brought on by an accident - on 15 October 1854. He left four sons: the eldest was Hugh who settled in Edinburgh; the second Alexander Marshall Mackenzie, architect; the third Thomas, who died 29 July 1867 aged 13; the fourth Francis William, who died 24 August 1884. An only daughter, Jane, died 19 June 1860 aged 7. His widow Helen Margaret died on 5 October 1894 (Headstone, Cathedral graveyard, per Elizabeth Beaton). James Matthews continued the practice alone, under his own name. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this architect: | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes |  | Ladyhill, Elgin, Morayshire, Scotland | Private/business | | | |
Employment and TrainingEmployers
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 |  | 1842 | Elgin Museum | Elgin | | Morayshire | Scotland | Plans adopted |  | 1842 | Newmore House | Invergordon | | Ross and Cromarty | Scotland | |  | 1843 | Aberlour Burial Ground | Aberlour | | Banffshire | Scotland | Reconstruction |  | 1843 | Aberlour Manse with stables etc | Aberlour | | Banffshire | Scotland | Repairs |  | 1843 | Bolleaster Farm | Aberlour | | Banffshire | Scotland | |  | 1843 | Elgin Free Church | Elgin | | Morayshire | Scotland | |  | 1843 | Glass Manse | Glass | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Reconstruction |  | 1843 | House at Cullen | Cullen | | Banffshire | Scotland | |  | 1843 | House at Ruthrie | Aberlour | | Banffshire | Scotland | |  | 1843 | National Bank of Scotland, Forres Branch | Forres | | Morayshire | Scotland | Completition of Robertson design |  | 1843 | St Sylvester's RC Chapel, presbytery and school | Elgin | | Morayshire | Scotland | Church and presbytery |  | 1843 | Upper Mains Farm | Aberlour | | Banffshire | Scotland | |  | 1844 | Forres Market Cross | Forres | | Morayshire | Scotland | May or may not have been executed in partnership |  | 1844 | Free High Church and Free Church College | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Won competition (although Playfair's design actually used) |  | 1844 | Glass School | Glass | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Reconstruction |  | 1844 | Grange Hall | Forres | | Morayshire | Scotland | Long rear wing added |  | 1844 | Houses on property of Bishop Kyle | Elgin | | Morayshire | Scotland | |  | 1844 | Mary Park Farmhouse | Ballindalloch | | Banffshire | Scotland | |  | 1844 | Mortlach Manse | Dufftown | | Banffshire | Scotland | Repairs and additions |  | 1844 | Orton, Mausoleum for the Wharton Duff family | Rothes | | Morayshire | Scotland | |  | 1845 | Boharm Suspension Bridge, near Garbity | Boat of Brig | | Banffshire | Scotland | Repairs and improvements |  | 1845 | Drummuir House and gatelodge | Dalmuir | | Banffshire | Scotland | Lodge, stables & Mansion house built. Also later Factor's House |  | 1845 | Elgin Fountain | Elgin | | Morayshire | Scotland | |  | 1845 | Milne's Free School | Fochabers | | Morayshire | Scotland | |  | 1845 | Villa and gardens, Bishopmill | Elgin | | Morayshire | Scotland | |  | c. 1845 | Leuchars House | | | Morayshire | Scotland | |  | 1846 | Ardross Castle | Alness | | Ross and Cromarty | Scotland | Designs - executed by George Rhind |  | 1846 | Double cottage | Elgin | | Morayshire | Scotland | |  | 1846 | Millbank House | Nairn | | Nairnshire | Scotland | Additions |  | 1846 | Newmill Manufactory | Elgin | | Morayshire | Scotland | Additions and new roof |  | 1847 | Aberdeen Poorhouse | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | |  | 1847 | Alvie Manse | Alvie | | Inverness-shire | Scotland | Baronial additions |  | 1847 | Ballindalloch House | Inveravon | | Banffshire | Scotland | House, stables & lodge at Levit Bridge |  | 1847 | Caledonian Bank | Inverness | | Inverness-shire | Scotland | |  | 1847 | Dr Cooper's House | Old Deer | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Additions |  | 1847 | Market | Forres | | Morayshire | Scotland | |  | 1847 | Nigg School and schoolmaster's house | Nigg | | Kincardineshire | Scotland | |  | 1847 | North of Scotland Bank | Dufftown | | Banffshire | Scotland | |  | 1847 | Orton House | | | Morayshire | Scotland | Additions |  | 1848 | Caledonian Bank | Nairn | | Nairnshire | Scotland | |  | 1848 | Christ Church Episcopal Church | Huntly | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | |  | 1848 | Free Church School | Nairn | | Nairnshire | Scotland | |  | 1848 | Lagmore Farmhouse | Ballindalloch | | Banffshire | Scotland | |  | 1848 | New Market | Elgin | | Morayshire | Scotland | |  | 1848 | Nigg Manse | | | Kincardineshire | Scotland | |  | c. 1848 | Cawdor Castle | | | Nairnshire | Scotland | Extension of W wing, addition of short bay and tower to S wing begun |  | 1849 | 1-6 Rubislaw Place and 21, 23 Waverley Terrace | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Took over and built Simpson's design |  | 1849 | Brucklay House | New Deer | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Remodelling |  | 1849 | Chapel of St Andrew | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Conversion to public baths |  | 1849 | Cottage | Ellon | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | |  | 1849 | Culloden Monument | Culloden | | Inverness-shire | Scotland | Only partly executed |  | 1849 | Ellon Castle (new) | Ellon | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | |  | 1849 | Ellon Girls' School | Ellon | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | |  | 1849 | Ellon Poorhouse | Ellon | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | |  | 1849 | Knockespock House | | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Proposals to radically alter house with Baronial tower - not executed |  | 1849 | Rubislaw Estate feuing | Rubislaw | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Took over feuing and revised conditions (completed post-1861) |  | 1849 | St John's Episcopal Church | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | |  | 1849 | St Mary's Parish Church | Banff | | Banffshire | Scotland | Tower completed to Robertson's plans under supervision of Thomas Mackenzie |  | 1849 | The Gables | Banff | | Banffshire | Scotland | |  | 1850 | Aberlour School | Aberlour | | Banffshire | Scotland | |  | 1850 | All Saints Episcopal Church, Whiterashes | Whiterashes | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Original building |  | 1850 | Arndilly House | | | Banffshire | Scotland | Remodelling |  | 1850 | Ballindalloch House | Inveravon | | Banffshire | Scotland | Further additions to house and lodge built |  | 1850 | Buckie Lodge | Buckie | | Banffshire | Scotland | Alterations and additions - the small out building attached to the back of the house and the high coombed ceiling on the first floor |  | 1850 | Drumtochty Castle stables and coachhouse | | | Kincardineshire | Scotland | |  | 1850 | Free Church College | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | |  | 1850 | Gollanfield Mansion House | Gollanfield | | Inverness-shire | Scotland | |  | 1850 | House of Fetternear | Fetternear | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Scheme for returning house to 17th century appearance. |  | 1850 | House, Hadden Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | |  | 1850 | Inveravon School | | | Banffshire | Scotland | |  | 1850 | Kildrummy Manse and offices | Kildrummy | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | |  | 1850 | Manse | Glenmuick | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | |  | c. 1850 | Ballindalloch School | Ballindalloch | | Banffshire | Scotland | |  | c. 1850 | Elgin Commercial Bank | Elgin | | Morayshire | Scotland | |  | c. 1850 | Knockespock House, Tower Lodge | | | Kincardineshire | Scotland | |  | c. 1850 | North of Scotland Bank | Old Deer | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | 'Probably' (Buildings of Scotland) |  | c. 1850 | Orton Home Farm | | | Morayshire | Scotland | HS - 'possibly' |  | 1851 | Aldourie Castle | | | Inverness-shire | Scotland | First remodelling, eastern tower addition, circular stair in the eastern re-entrant angle of the drawing room heightened to a Midmar-like form with a crenallted parapet. |  | 1851 | Culloden House, Lodge | Culloden | | Inverness-shire | Scotland | New lodge |  | 1851 | Dess House | | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | |  | 1851 | Free High Church | Inverness | | Inverness-shire | Scotland | |  | 1851 | House, Brae of Coynach, Clola | Old Deer | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | |  | 1851 | St Andrew's Masonic Hall | Banff | | Banffshire | Scotland | |  | 1851 | St Drostan's Episcopal Church | Old Deer | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | |  | 1851 | Villa in Inverness | Inverness | | Inverness-shire | Scotland | |  | 1851 | Wartle House | Rayne | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Additions - may be mainly responsible |  | 1852 | Caledonian Bank | Forres | | Morayshire | Scotland | |  | 1852 | Holy Trinity Episcopal Church and parsonage | Elgin | | Morayshire | Scotland | Recasting |  | 1852 | Lerwick Manse | Lerwick | Mainland | Shetland | Scotland | |  | 1852 | Nairn UP Church | Nairn | | Nairnshire | Scotland | |  | 1852 | Newton House | Alves | | Morayshire | Scotland | Additions and laterations with some internal remodelling |  | 1852 | Rathen Manse and Offices | Rathen | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Provided alternative cheaper plan but Smith plan selected |  | 1852 | Stonehaven Free Church Manse | Stonehaven | | Kincardineshire | Scotland | |  | 1852 | Strathdon Parish Church | Strathdon | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | |  | c. 1852 | Free Church Manse | Huntly | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | |  | 1853 | Birsay and Harray Manse | | Mainland | Orkney | Scotland | |  | 1853 | Elgin Station Hotel | Elgin | | Morayshire | Scotland | |  | 1853 | Firth and Stenness Manse | | Mainland | Orkney | Scotland | Alterations and additions |  | 1853 | Fraserburgh Town Hall and police office | Fraserburgh | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | |  | 1853 | Holy Trinity Episcopal School | Elgin | | Morayshire | Scotland | |  | 1853 | Ladyhill House | Elgin | | Morayshire | Scotland | Alterations |  | 1853 | Seafield House | Banff | | Banffshire | Scotland | |  | 1853 | Strichen Manse | Strichen | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | |  | 1853 | Union Club House | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | |  | 1854 | 5th Duke of Gordon Monument, Ladyhill | Elgin | | Morayshire | Scotland | Statue added |  | 1854 | Auldbar Estate, cottages | | | Angus | Scotland | |  | 1854 | Balnagask Farm | Nigg | | Ross and Cromarty | Scotland | |  | 1854 | Birse Parish Church | Birse | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Repairs |  | 1854 | Cawdor Castle | | | Nairnshire | Scotland | Alterations - 'Gentle baronialisation' |  | 1854 | Dall House | | | Perthshire | Scotland | House |  | 1854 | Episcopal Church | Inverness | | Inverness-shire | Scotland | Completion of tower |  | 1854 | Fife Arms Hotel | Lhanbryde | | Morayshire | Scotland | |  | 1854 | Milton of Leys steading | | | Inverness-shire | Scotland | |  | 1854 | Royal Northern Infirmary | Inverness | | Inverness-shire | Scotland | Porter's Lodge (and other work?) |  | 1854 | St Mary's | Rothes | | Morayshire | Scotland | Additions and remodelling of earlier house |  | 1854 | St Mary's Cottage | Orton | | Morayshire | Scotland | 'Probably' (HS) |  | Before 1854 | House for Dr Geddes | Elgin | | Morayshire | Scotland | |  | Before 1854 | Pluscarden Priory | Pluscarden, Elgin | | Morayshire | Scotland | Repairs? |  | Before 1854 | St John's Episcopal Church | Forres | | Morayshire | Scotland | Alterations and additions |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this architect: | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes |  | APSD | | The Dictionary of Architecture | ed Wyatt Papworth | The Architectural Publication Society (8v 1852-1892) | |  | Bailey, Rebecca M | 1996 | Scottish architects' papers: a source book | | Edinburgh: The Rutland Press | p97 |  | Gifford, John | 1980 | Architects of the Highlands in the Nineteenth Century, A Sketch | No 7, September 1980, pp29-48 | The Scottish Georgian Society Bulletin, Edinburgh, 1980 | pp37-39 |  | Gray, A Stuart | 1985 | Edwardian Architecture: A Biographical Dictionary | | | pp248-249 |  | Lippe, William | 1979 | The Scottish baronial house in Aberdeenshire of the Mackenzies and James Matthews | | The Robert Gordon University post graduate dissertation | |  | Scotlands People Website | | Wills & Testaments | | | Elgin Asheriff Court Inventories Sc26/39/7 |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this architect: | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes |  | Aberdeen Journal | 18 October 1854 | | | |  | Builder | 18 November 1854 | | | p593 obituary |  | Elgin Courant | 20 October 1854 | | | Obituary |  | Forres Gazette | 17 October 1854 | | | Obituary |
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