Basic Biographical Details

Name: Donald Matheson
Designation:  
Born: 1878
Died: October 1934
Bio Notes: Donald Matheson was born in 1878 and articled to Ross & Macbeth of Inverness from 8 October 1894 until 1899, remaining for three further years as an assistant. On leaving he emigrated to South Africa where he spent five years working for MacGillivray & Grant of Capetown, but he returned in 1908 to commence independent practice in Killearnan, moving office to Dingwall in 1910. He was subsequently appointed County Architect for Ross and Cromarty but continued his private practice. On 1 January 1919 he entered into partnership with Robert John Chisholm (born 1884), whom he had met in the Ross & Macbeth office in 1901 when Chisholm was apprenticed there and who had remained in that office thereafter. However, the partnership was short-lived, being dissolved when Chisholm returned to Inverness to commence practice on his own account on 1 January 1920.

Matheson was admitted LRIBA in 1925 and was elected FRIBA on 30 November the same year, his proposers being Harry Redfern, Francis William Troup and Basil Oliver. At that time his office was in Tulloch Street, Dingwall and he was living at The Birches, Craig Road in the same town. At some point he served as President of the Inverness Architectural Association.

Matheson died in October 1934. The practice was carried on by his sons Donald and Huisdean who retained the firm title of Donald Matheson & Sons.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 4Cape Town, South AfricaPrivate/business19061908 
Item 2 of 4Killearnan, Ross and Cromarty, ScotlandBusiness19081910 
Item 3 of 4Tulloch Street, Dingwall, Ross and Cromarty, ScotlandBusiness1920After 1930 
Item 4 of 4The Birches, Craig Road, Dingwall, Ross and Cromarty, ScotlandPrivate1925 *  

* earliest date known from documented sources.

Employment and Training

Employers

The following individuals or organisations employed or trained this (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate fromDate toPositionNotes
Item 1 of 4Ross & MacbethOctober 1894October 1899ApprenticeProbably remained as assistant
Item 2 of 4Ross & MacbethOctober 18991902Assistant 
Item 3 of 4Matheson & Chisholm1 January 191930 December 1919Partner 
Item 4 of 4Donald Matheson & SonsBefore 19291934Senior Partner 

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 2John Walter Mackenzie Dudding19141920ApprenticeWith the exception of two years' war service.
Item 2 of 2John FindlayMay 1920January 1921Assistant 

RIBA

RIBA Proposers

The following individuals proposed this for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 3Basil Oliver30 November 1925for Fellowship
Item 2 of 3Harry Redfern (or Henry Redfern)30 November 1925for Fellowship
Item 3 of 3Francis William Troup30 November 1925for Fellowship

RIBA Proposals

This proposed the following individuals for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 4John Grant Chisholm1931for Licentiateship
Item 2 of 4Alexander Finlay Mackenzie14 November 1930for Licentiateship
Item 3 of 4Alexander Finlay MackenzieEarly 1931for Fellowship
Item 4 of 4Joseph Arthur SmithEarly 1930for Licentiateship

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 14 Fortrose AcademyFortrose Ross and CromartyScotlandAdditions - date unknown
Item 2 of 14 Shooting Lodge, SallachySallachy SutherlandScotlandDate unknown
Item 3 of 141904Farmhouse and steading for Mr James YoungerHoy CaithnessScotlandAlterations and addtions, including new cattle court - date of involvement uncertain
Item 4 of 14After 1908Additions to hotelCromarty Ross and CromartyScotland 
Item 5 of 14After 1908Castlecraig  Ross and CromartyScotlandRenovation
Item 6 of 14After 1908Linnmohr HouseStrathpeffer Ross and CromartyScotland 
Item 7 of 14After 1908Office buildingDingwall Ross and CromartyScotland 
Item 8 of 14After 1908Urray Church and ManseUrray, Muir of Ord Ross and CromartyScotlandRenovation of church
Item 9 of 141909Fortrose Free ChurchFortrose Ross and CromartyScotland 
Item 10 of 14c. 1910House, Olrig StreetThurso CaithnessScotlandAlterations and repairs - in conjunction with Sinclair MacDonald?
Item 11 of 141912Castle LeodStrathpeffer Ross and CromartyScotlandAdditions in Baronial style and squash court
Item 12 of 141926Masonic LodgeDingwall Ross and CromartyScotland 
Item 13 of 141929Dingwall AcademyDingwall Ross and CromartyScotland 
Item 14 of 141930Fodderty Parish Church, War Memorial ArchFodderty Ross and CromartyScotlandWith A Marshall Mackenzie & Son

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 3British Architectural Library, RIBA2001Directory of British Architects 1834-1914   
Item 2 of 3RIBA1930The RIBA Kalendar 1930-1931 London: Royal Institute of British Architects 
Item 3 of 3Who's Who in Architecture1914    

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1RIAS Quarterly1935AutumnRoyal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS)p45

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 1RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert MuseumRIBA Nomination Papers L no2431 (microfilm reel 34) (declaration only - all other papers missing); F no2304 (microfilm reel 17)