Basic Biographical Details

Name: McDonald & Leslie
Designation:  
Born: 1838
Died: 1858
Bio Notes: William Leslie was born at New Deer in 1802. His family were Independents, i.e. Congregationalists. He established himself at Park Cottage, Broadford, Aberdeen by at least 1828 when he designed a castellated lodge and gate for Hatton Castle. As a contractor his first job is said to have been the additions at Craibstone House, presumably those built in 1829, but it is not clear whether he designed them. He certainly built the North Church in Aberdeen to John Smith's designs in 1829-30 and Castle Newe to Simpson's designs in 1831. In 1838 he entered into partnership with Alexander McDonald, who was a stone-cutter. Although it has been assumed that the practice was based in Dornoch, the partners are still listed in the Aberdeen Post Office directories throughout this period and the stay in Dornoch must have been quite short.

Two years previously, in 1836, Leslie had been appointed agent for the Sutherland estates, undertaking architectural and civil engineering work, but this appointment did not exclude contracting for others and in 1840-41 McDonald & Leslie widened the Bridge of Dee to the designs of James Walker of Walker & Burgess, London, using the original facings as far as practicable, a contract which marked the beginning of a shift of his business interests towards Aberdeen. The partnership was dissolved in 1858.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 2Dornoch, Sutherland, ScotlandBusiness   
Item 2 of 2Constitution Street (east end), Aberdeen, ScotlandBusiness1830s1850s 

Employment and Training

Employees or Pupils

The following individuals were employed or trained by this (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate fromDate toPositionNotes
Item 1 of 2Alexander McDonald1838 Partner 
Item 2 of 2William Leslie18381858Partner 

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 41840Bridge of Dee  AberdeenScotlandExecuted plans by James Walker of London
Item 2 of 41840Rhives HouseRhives SutherlandScotlandDesign probably by Leslie
Item 3 of 41841Helmsdale HarbourHelmsdale SutherlandScotlandEmbanked the river's shore
Item 4 of 41845Dornoch SchoolDornoch SutherlandScotland 

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1Post Office Directories