Basic Biographical Details

Name: Donald MacDonald
Designation:  
Born: 7 November 1879
Died:  
Bio Notes: Donald MacDonald was born on 7 November 1879 and apprenticed to Ross & Macbeth 1896-1901. During this period he measured considerable portions of Elgin Cathedral and Fortrose Cathedral. At the beginning of 1902 he joined William Cumming Joass in Dingwall and assisted Joass with a wide range of jobs which included a large number of villas ranging in cost from £700 to £1,700, several shops and a church. In 1906 he moved to the office of the County Architect, William Mackenzie, whom he assisted on works carried out in private practice, preparing plans and specifications and supervising the erection of a 'considerable number' of villas and various churches. He was admitted LRIBA on 4 December 1911, his proposers being William Laidlaw Carruthers, Alexander Ross and Robert John Macbeth. Late that year he entered into partnership with Mackenzie, the firm's offices being based in the County Buildings in Dingwall whilst MacDonald lived at 48 High Street.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 348, High Street, Dingwall, Ross and Cromarty, ScotlandPrivate1911 *  
Item 2 of 3County Buildings, Dingwall, Ross and Cromarty, ScotlandBusinessBefore 1911After 1939 
Item 3 of 3Drynie Court, Dingwall, Ross and Cromarty, ScotlandPrivate1950 *  

* 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 & Macbeth18961901Apprentice 
Item 2 of 4William Cumming Joass2 January 1902May 1906Assistant 
Item 3 of 4William Mackenzie1 June 19061911AssistantBecame partner in 1911
Item 4 of 4Mackenzie & MacDonald1911 Partner 

RIBA

RIBA Proposers

The following individuals proposed this for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 3William Laidlaw Carruthers4 December 1911for Licentiateship
Item 2 of 3Robert John Macbeth4 December 1911for Licentiateship
Item 3 of 3Alexander Ross4 December 1911for 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 231896Strathconon UF Church and manseStrathconon Ross and CromartyScotlandAs chief draughtman to Mackenzie prepared plans and specifications and sperintended erection
Item 2 of 231897Dalbreck LodgeStrathconon Ross and CromartyScotlandAs apprentice to Ross & Macbeth supervised additions - and perhaps gamekeeper's house the previous year as well?
Item 3 of 231898Inverness District AsylumInverness Inverness-shireScotlandAdditions and alterations - as apprentice to Ross & Macbeth
Item 4 of 23c. 1898Ardross CastleAlness Ross and CromartyScotlandPrepared plans for additions and for baths as apprentice to Ross & Macbeth (specifies plans only in Nomination paper)
Item 5 of 231899Central SchoolInverness Inverness-shireScotlandSupervised the alterations and additions as apprentice to Ross & Macbeth
Item 6 of 231899Duncraig CastleLochalsh Ross and CromartyScotlandAlterations and additions - as apprentice to Ross & Macbeth prepared plans and specifications
Item 7 of 231899Forres UP ChurchForres MorayshireScotlandNew church proposed - alterations only executed
Item 8 of 231899House and shopsBonar Bridge SutherlandScotlandAs apprentice to Ross & Macbeth
Item 9 of 231899InverflodeSkibo SutherlandScotlandAs apprentice to Ross & Macbeth
Item 10 of 231899Millcraig Farmhouse  Inverness-shireScotlandAs apprentice to Ross & Macbeth
Item 11 of 231899Waverley HotelInverness Inverness-shireScotlandAdditions - as apprentice to Ross & Macbeth
Item 12 of 231901Courthill HouseLochcarron Ross and CromartyScotlandAdditions and alterations and conservatory - as apprentice to Ross & Macbeth
Item 13 of 231902Dingwall Town Hall and Museum and LibraryDingwall Ross and CromartyScotlandMajor reconstruction with new steeple based on eighteenth century original - as assistant to Joass, prepared plans and specifications and supervised erection
Item 14 of 23After 1902Scatwell, steading and policies  Ross and CromartyScotlandAs assistant to Joass prepared plans and specifications and supervised erection
Item 15 of 23c. 1902Fannich Lodge and policiesFannich Ross and CromartyScotlandAs assistant to W C Joass, prepared plans and specifications and supervised erection of lodge and policies
Item 16 of 23After 1906Semi-detached villaDingwall Ross and CromartyScotlandDesigned and drawn from rough sketch by Mackenzie
Item 17 of 23After 1906Strathpeffer UF Church and manseStrathpeffer Ross and CromartyScotlandAs chief draughtsman to Mackenzie prepared plans and specifications and superintended the erection of church
Item 18 of 231909Castle Street UF ChurchDingwall Ross and CromartyScotlandAs chief draughtsman to Mackenzie prepared plans and specifications from rough sketch by Mackenzie and supervised erection
Item 19 of 231914Aultbea UF ChurchAultbea Ross and CromartyScotlandExecutant architect for Greig, Fairbairn & Mcniven
Item 20 of 231925One Cottage and ByreSlattadale, Loch Maree Ross and CromartyScotland 
Item 21 of 231925Three Cottages and Byres Achbashellach Ross and CromartyScotland 
Item 22 of 231927Sepcentenary Town HallDingwall Ross and CromartyScotland 
Item 23 of 231939Ross Memorial HospitalDingwall Ross and CromartyScotlandMaternity wing

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 3RIBA1950The RIBA Kalendar 1950-1951 London: Royal Institute of British Architects 
Item 3 of 3Who's Who in Architecture1914    

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 v 22 no 1718