Basic Biographical Details

Name: Donald Leed
Designation:  
Born: c. 1844
Died: March 1903
Bio Notes: Donald Leed was born c.1844 in Thurso, the son of Alexander Leed, cooper, and his wife Margaret. He trained as a house carpenter. He left for Glasgow to work as a builder, though his main trade was carpentry. He was in Glasgow between 1871 and 1880, returning to Thurso before 1881 to practise initially as a house carpenter and later as an architect. He was appointed local clerk of works to the Bank of Scotland in 1896 and was architect to the Ulbster estate, a post previously held by the Thurso architect David Smith. Leed designed several lodges and houses on the Ulbster estate.

With his wife Helen he had two sons and three daughters who were all born in Glasgow.

Leed took a keen interest in municipal affairs in Thurso. He served on the Town Council from 1884 and as a Police Commissioner in the later 1880s.

He died in March 1903. The architect James Constable Leed (born 1873) was his son, commencing his training with him in 1890 but leaving to seek wider experience in London in 1893.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 1Thurso, Caithness, ScotlandPrivate   

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 1James Constable Leed18901890Apprentice 

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 6c. 1870Thurso East Castle, Lodge and gatewayThurso CaithnessScotland'Possibly' (HS)
Item 2 of 6c. 18807 George StreetThurso CaithnessScotlandFor himself
Item 3 of 6c. 1890Beaconsfield HouseThurso CaithnessScotland 
Item 4 of 61892School at ThursoThurso CaithnessScotland 
Item 5 of 61895Lochdhu LodgeStrathmore CaithnessScotlandExecuted, perhaps for David Smith
Item 6 of 61902Bower Parish ChurchBower CaithnessScotlandRecasting of interior

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1Beaton, Elizabeth1996Caithness: An Illustrated Architectural Guide Edinburgh: Rutland Pressp83

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 2Caithness Courier13 March 1903   
Item 2 of 2Northern Ensign17 March 1903