Larger versions of these images are located at the foot of the page. Basic Biographical Details Name: | Ninian Macwhannell | Designation: | Architect | Born: | 15 October 1860 | Died: | 23 December 1939 | Bio Notes: | Ninian Macwhannell was born in Hutchesontown on 15 October 1860, son of John Macwhannell, Treasurer and later Secretary of the Glasgow School Board, and Elizabeth Parker. He was educated at Glasgow High School and was articled to Alexander Petrie in 1877, remaining as assistant until 1884 and latterly studying at Glasgow School of Art (1881 to 1884). Thereafter he spent a year as chief draughtsman to Charles Davidson of Paisley before commencing practice in 1885. His partner John Rogerson was born about 1862, the son of Provost David Rogerson of Dumbarton and Mary Roy, and was principally responsible for the designs of the partnership. Like Macwhannell, Rogerson was an apprentice in Petrie's office, which he entered at the age of twenty in 1882 for four years, remaining as assistant for a further two years and three months. During that period he studied at Anderson's College and Glasgow School of Art, passing the qualifying exam in 1889. He was admitted ARIBA on 13 January 1890, his proposers being James Archibald Morris of Ayr, John Burnet Senior and Thomas Lennox Watson.
Macwhannell married Elizabeth Sellars Mason, daughter of Robert Mason, master plumber, on 15 January 1890 at 4 Provan Place: they had one daughter. His father's connections brought a significant share of the business of Glasgow School Board, his designs for Alexandra Parade School being exhibited at the Paris Exhibition of 1900. He was elected FRIBA on 3 December 1906, his proposers being James Milne Monro, Robert Douglas Sandilands (also from Petrie's office) and C J MacLean.
Macwhannell was a man of exceptionally wide business and social interests. In 1885 he was a keen footballer in the Queens Park team; in 1901 he was very oddly Deacon of the Fleshers Incorporation, and during the Great War Inspector of Munitions at Georgetown, Renfrewshire. In 1925 he was elected to Glasgow Corporation for Pollokshaws; in 1929 he was a magistrate and President of the Association of Deacons; and in 1930 a senior Baillie. He retired from the Corporation in 1934 and was appointed Baillie of Provan in 1937. Throughout his career Macwhannell was well known for his love of the Doric, and was much in demand as a reader, reciter and lecturer. He compiled an anthology entitled 'Oor Mither Tongue' and was President of the Burns Federation from 1934 to 1937. At various times he was Head of the Scottish National Song Society, Preses of the Grand Antiquity Society, and President of the Glasgow District Branch of the Rationalist Press Association.
After a brief period of retirement, Macwhannell died at 1366 Pollokshaws Road on 23 December 1939, leaving moveable estate of £2,085 10s 6d. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this architect: | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes |  | 90, Stirling Road, Glasgow, Scotland | Private | 1883 * | | |  | 12, Queen Square, Strathbungo, Glasgow, Scotland | Private | 1888 * | 1890 | |  | 58, West Regent Street, Glasgow, Scotland | Business | Before 1888 | After 1911 | |  | 129, Whitehill Street, Dennistoun, Glasgow, Scotland | Private | 1891 * | | |  | Mossgiel/1366, Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow, Scotland | Private | Before 1906 | 23 December 1939 | |  | 11, Jane Street, Glasgow, Scotland | Business | Before 1914 | After 1925 | |  | 309, West George Street, Glasgow, Scotland | Business | Before 1929 | After 1931 | |  | 233, West Regent Street, Glasgow, Scotland | Business | 1939 * | | |
* earliest date known from documented sources.
Employment and TrainingEmployersEmployees or Pupils
RIBARIBA ProposersThe following individuals proposed this architect for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date proposed | Notes |  | C J MacLean | 3 December 1906 | for Fellowship |  | James Milne Monro | 3 December 1906 | for Fellowship |  | Robert Douglas Sandilands | 3 December 1906 | for Fellowship |
RIBA 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 |  | 1882 | Clyde Dye Works | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Addition |  | After 1885 | Barrachuie Inn | Barrachuie/Barachuie | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | |  | After 1885 | Tenements | Pollokshaws | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | After 1885 | Villa | Barrhead | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | |  | After 1885 | Villa | Newlands | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1888 | Engineering Works, James Street | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1888 | Greenhead Weaving Factory | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1891 | Engineering Works, James Street | | | Glasgow | Scotland | £1,000 additions |  | 1891 | Miller's Institution | Thurso | | Caithness | Scotland | Additions - plans only? Executed by Sinclair MacDonald |  | 1891 | Tureen Street School | Calton | | Glasgow | Scotland | Janitor's house and offices |  | 1893 | Cottage Almshouses | Liberton | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | 1895 | Glasgow Samaritan Hospital for Women | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1897 | Alexandra Parade School | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1897 | Carron Grange House | Stenhousemuir | | Stirlingshire | Scotland | |  | 1899 | Dr Little Hospital | Dumbarton | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | |  | 1900 | Stobhill Hospital | Springburn | | Glasgow | Scotland | Fourth premiated competition design (£50 premium) |  | After 1900 | Neilston Parish School | Neilston | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | |  | After 1900 | Villa | Dumbreck | | Glasgow | Scotland | William Gordon Galloway carried out the work, whilst apprentice/assistant |  | 1901 | Barony Poorhouse | Foresthill | | Glasgow | Scotland | Additions |  | 1901 | John Street School | Bridgeton | | Glasgow | Scotland | £15,000 additions |  | 1902 | Burgh Police Buildings and Court Hall | Barrhead | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | |  | 1903 | Quarrybrae School | Parkhead | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1903 | Renfrewshire Combination Poorhouse | Crookston | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | |  | 1903 | University of Glasgow, New Medical Buildings | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1903 | Western District Hospital | Oakbank | | Glasgow | Scotland | Narrowly missed winning commission |  | c. 1903 | Arnhall | Whiting Bay | Arran | Bute | Scotland | |  | 1904(?) | Dalziel Poorhouse | Motherwell | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Second premiated competition design |  | 1904 | Glasgow Samaritan Hospital for Women, Alice Mary Corbett Memorial Nurses' Home | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1904 | Greenhead House for Mr McPhail | Calton | | Glasgow | Scotland | Workshops, drill hall and janitor's house |  | 1904 | St Mungo Vintners Co Bar | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1904 | Workshops, 63 Ladywell Street | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1905 | Buchanan Institute | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Additions including Workshops, drill hall, janitor's house |  | After 1906 | Golf House | Pollok | | Glasgow | Scotland | William Gordon Galloway carried out the work, whilst apprentice/assistant |  | 1907 | Glasgow Samaritan Hospital for Women | | | Glasgow | Scotland | New ward block |  | 1908 | Terraced houses, Athol Place, Bath Street | | | Glasgow | Scotland | West end altered |  | Before 1908 | Villa, Albert Drive and Springkell Avenue | Pollokshields | | Glasgow | Scotland | Date unknown |  | 1910 | Giffnock School | Giffnock | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | |  | 1910 | Masonic Temple | Barrhead | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Competition entry |  | 1911 | Darnley Hospital | Eastwood | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Additions |  | 1911 | Villa at Neilston | Neilston | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | |  | 1912 | Battlefield Congregational Church Hall | Battlefield | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1912 | Battlefield Public School | Langside | | Glasgow | Scotland | New block |  | 1912 | Cathkin Road School | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1912 | Dumbarton Academy | Dumbarton | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Designed but not built |  | 1913 | Buchanan Institute | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Alterations |  | 1913 | Greenhead House for Mr McPhail | Calton | | Glasgow | Scotland | Interior of house remodelled |  | 1913 | Shakespeare Street School | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Some later drawings signed by Macwhannell alone |  | c. 1913 | Royal Samaritan Hospital for Women, Laundry and Laboratory | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1914 | Govancroft Potteries | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | c. 1915 | National Burns Memorial, Cottage Homes, Museum and Tower | Mauchline | | Ayrshire | Scotland | Restoration of cottages for Burns Federation |  | 1922 | Royal Samaritan Hospital for Women, Agnes Barr Dispensary | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | Before 1923 | Gate Lodge at Thornliebank Cemetery | Thornliebank | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | |  | Before 1923 | House near Larbert | Larbert | | Stirlingshire | Scotland | |  | 1924 | Queen's Park Synagogue | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | c. 1924 | National Burns Memorial, Cottage Homes, Museum and Tower | Mauchline | | Ayrshire | Scotland | Restoration of cottages for Burns Federation |  | c. 1925 | Jean Armour's House | Mauchline | | Ayrshire | Scotland | Restoration |  | 1930 | Cochran Memorial Gymnasium | Kirkcudbright | | Kirkcudbrightshire | Scotland | |  | 1930 | Hotel, Buchanan Street | | | Glasgow | | |  | 1930 | National Burns Memorial, Cottage Homes, Museum and Tower | Mauchline | | Ayrshire | Scotland | 5 cottages |  | 1930 | Tearoom and restaurant | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1932 | Block of warehouses and offices for Milne & Co | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1932 | Buchanan Street Bus Station | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1932 | Factory, 70-80 Cheapside Street | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | c. 1932 | King's Park Primary School | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1933 | Louvre Theatre | Parkhead | | Glasgow | Scotland | Enlargement proposed |  | 1936 | Dunoon Hydropathic | Dunoon | | Argyll | Scotland | Extension |  | 1939 | Convalescent Home | Kilmun | | Argyll | Scotland | Extension |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this architect: | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes |  | British Architectural Library, RIBA | 2001 | Directory of British Architects 1834-1914 | | | |  | Johnston, W T | 2003 | Artists of Scotland | | Officina Publications CDROM | |  | Post Office Directories | | | | | |  | RIBA | 1939 | The RIBA Kalendar 1939-1940 | | London: Royal Institute of British Architects | |  | Scottish Biographies | 1938 | | | E J Thurston (pub.) | |  | Who's Who in Architecture | 1926 | | | | |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this architect: | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes |  | Builder | 5 January 1940 | | | Obituary |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this architect: | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes |  | Professor David M Walker personal archive | Professor David M Walker, notes and collection of archive material | | Additional research by Iain Paterson |  | RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum | RIBA Nomination Papers | | F v17 p146 no1169 |
Images © All rights reserved. 'Who's Who', Building Industries 16 May 1927 (Courtesy of Iain Paterson) |