Basic Biographical Details

Name: William Salmond
Designation:  
Born: 20 June 1878
Died: 2 March 1956
Bio Notes: William Salmond was born on 20 June 1878, the son of Frank Salmond, civil engineer and surveyor of the Dundee firm J & F Salmond, the other partner being William's uncle James Salmond. William was articled to the family firm from 1894 to 1899 and remained as assistant for a year after completing his apprenticeship, studying at Dundee High School, Dundee Technical Institute and Dundee University. He then spent two-and-a-half years as junior assistant in the Office of Public Works, Glasgow, working under Alexander Beith McDonald on the Glasgow mains drainage schemes whilst continuing his studies at the Glasgow Technical College. In 1902 he joined Aberdeen civil engineer P Tawse as assistant on the Aberdeen sewerage scheme and attended classes at Robert Gordon's College before returning to the family firm in August 1903 as senior assistant. He was made a junior partner on 1 January the following year.

James retired later that year and died in 1905, and Frank died in 1911, leaving William as sole partner. He was admitted LRIBA in the mass intake of 20 July 1911, proposed by William Fleming Wilkie and the Dundee Institute of Architects, which he had joined in 1907. He served in France during the First World War, achieving the rank of Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers.

In 1920 the practice merged with the Dundee architectural firm of Maclaren Sons & Soutar with John Turnbull Maclaren, Charles Geddes Soutar and William Salmond as partners. Their architectural practice prior to the merger had consisted almost exclusively of farm steadings, farmhouses, and farm cottages.

In 1921 Maclaren retired and draughtsman Andrew Patrick was taken into partnership, but the name of the firm remained unchanged, the merged firms now moving to 15 South Tay Street.

In 1929 Salmond was admitted FRIBA, his proposers being George Penrose Kennedy Young, Thomas Martin Cappon and Soutar. In the same year Maclaren Soutar Salmond took over the practice of David Wishart Galloway who had been killed in a motorcycle accident in that year, and for rather more than a decade maintained his office at 2 Market Street, Brechin as a branch, but this was de-merged to A B Roger as an independent practice in the 1940s.

Around 1933 the practice was joined as prospective partner by Thomas Steuart Fothringham, born 5 April 1907, who had been educated at Wellington and had read architecture at Trinity College Cambridge with Ian Gordon Lindsay and R A C Simpson. In the event his association with the practice was relatively short as he inherited the Pourie and Fothringham estates in April 1936 and did not return to the practice after serving as a Major in the Black Watch during the Second World War.

Charles Soutar's interest in the practice did not survive the Second World War either, and without him it went into a gradual decline. Although his practice was not particularly large, Soutar was a prominent figure in Scottish architecture between the wars. He was an outstanding Arts and Crafts architect with wide artistic interests and was remembered by his friends as generous in spirit and of infinite human kindness. Along with his client David Band of Band & Whyte and the schools inspector John Taylor Ewen, he was one of the principal patrons of the Arbroath artist James Waterston Herald. Although a very able designer and a fine draughtsman and watercolourist Patrick was content to take a secondary role in charge of the drawing office, producing beautiful presentation drawings for clients. Soutar became a very active member of the RIBA, and was elected to the Council for 1923-24, 1925-26 and 1935-44, serving as Vice-President from 1939 to 1944. Thomas Forbes Maclennan recalled that at these meetings he remained informal in style to the end, preferring plus fours to a city suit. Soutar moved house to Wheatfields, Forfar in 1941. In 1946 he began to suffer from Alzheimer's disease and had to withdraw from the practice completely. He died on 14 November 1952.

Soutar's architect son David did not remain with the practice, preferring to take a civil service job in Aberdeen. The practice was continued by the ageing Andrew Patrick and by William Salmond whose expertise lay chiefly in valuation. He was an old-fashioned gentleman of impressive presence, very tall, infinitely courteous and patient, qualities which served him well as the long-serving chairman of the Dundee rent tribunal. After Andrew Patrick died in 1951 the architectural work of the practice was in the hands of the practice's middle-aged chief assistant Stuart O Barron who had become a partner on Soutar's retirement. Salmond remained senior partner until his death on 2 March 1956, Barron thereafter becoming sole partner.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 46, High Street, Dundee, ScotlandBusiness19031920 
Item 2 of 43, Windsor Street, Dundee, ScotlandPrivate1911 *  
Item 3 of 415, South Tay Street, Dundee, ScotlandBusinessc. 1921After 1950(?) 
Item 4 of 417, Adelaide Place, Dundee, ScotlandPrivate1929 *  

* 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 8J & F Salmond18941898Apprentice 
Item 2 of 8J & F Salmond18981899Junior Assistant 
Item 3 of 8Glasgow Office of Public Works Architectural Department (later Glasgow Corporation City Engineer's Department)18991902AssistantWorking under Alexander Beith McDonald
Item 4 of 8Alexander Beith McDonald18991902AssistantIn Office of Public Works, Glasgow
Item 5 of 8Peter Tawse19021903Assistant 
Item 6 of 8J & F SalmondAugust 1903December 1903Senior Assistant 
Item 7 of 8J & F Salmond1 January 19041920PartnerAbsent in France on war service, 1914-19
Item 8 of 8Maclaren Soutar Salmond19201956Partner 

RIBA

RIBA Proposers

The following individuals proposed this for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 4Thomas Martin CapponLate 1929for Fellowship
Item 2 of 4Charles Geddes SoutarLate 1929for Fellowship
Item 3 of 4William Fleming Wilkie20 July 1911for Licentiateship - as President of the Dundee Institute of Architects
Item 4 of 4George Penrose Kennedy YoungLate 1929for Fellowship

RIBA Proposals

This proposed the following individuals for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 36Alexander Robert Fordyce AndersonEarly 1932for Associateship
Item 2 of 36Alexander Corbett Barrie1930 or 1931for Licentiateship
Item 3 of 36(Miss) Annie Margaret ('Moira') Bayne15 October 1940For Associateship
Item 4 of 36David Proctor Bee19 June 1945for Licentiateship
Item 5 of 36James Cairncross4 April 1938for Associateship
Item 6 of 36George Charles Campbell1931for Licentiateship
Item 7 of 36George Brown Deas1932for Licentiateship
Item 8 of 36James Deuchars12 December 1939for Associateship
Item 9 of 36Robert Dron3 December 1934for Associateship
Item 10 of 36George FairweatherEarly 1932for Associateship
Item 11 of 36William Malcolm Guild18 April 1944For Associateship
Item 12 of 36James Smith LeslieEarly 1931for Licentiateship
Item 13 of 36Robert William LoweLate 1930 or early 1931for Licentiateship
Item 14 of 36Alexander Theodore Marshall3 April 1939for Associateship
Item 15 of 36Margaret Robertson Mathers (Mrs Sutherland)5 December 1938for Associateship
Item 16 of 36Robert Matthew MitchellMid 1931for Fellowship
Item 17 of 36William MollisonEarly 1932for Associateship
Item 18 of 36William Mollison9 December 1947for Fellowship
Item 19 of 36George Christie MortonLate 1931 or early 1932for Licentiateship
Item 20 of 36James Symmers Neish10 January 1938for Associateship
Item 21 of 36Arthur George Wright OgilvieLate 1932 or early 1933for Fellowship
Item 22 of 36James Stratton Paterson15 January 1946for Licentiateship
Item 23 of 36Frank PrideLate 1931for Licentiateship
Item 24 of 36James Christopher Rogerson3 December 1934for Licentiateship
Item 25 of 36Donald (F?) RossEarly 1931for Licentiateship
Item 26 of 36Peter Sinclair14 October 1947For Licentiateship
Item 27 of 36(Colonel) Herbert Morgan SmailLate 1952For Fellowship
Item 28 of 36(Colonel) Herbert Morgan Smail14 October 1947For Licentiateship
Item 29 of 36David Smith22 July 1935for Fellowship
Item 30 of 36Frederick George Sturrock6 December 1937for Associateship
Item 31 of 36Thomas Hill ThomsLate 1932for Associateship
Item 32 of 36Charles Robert Thomson4 April 1938for Associateship
Item 33 of 36William Erskine ThomsonEarly 1932for Fellowship
Item 34 of 36John Tonner13 March 1945for Licentiateship
Item 35 of 36Graham Conacher Young1 May 1933for Licentiateship
Item 36 of 36Sydney Zimmermann6 May 1947For 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 611904Double villa, Fingask Street  DundeeScotland 
Item 2 of 611904FarmhouseWhitfield DundeeScotland 
Item 3 of 611905Castle Mains steading  Angus?ScotlandAlterations
Item 4 of 611905Double villa, Adelaide Terrace  DundeeScotland 
Item 5 of 611905House, steading and dairyNew Mains AngusScotland 
Item 6 of 611906Ardgarth Farmhouse and SteadingArdgarth AngusScotlandReconstruction and alterations
Item 7 of 611906Balfield Farm steadingBalfield AngusScotlandAdditions
Item 8 of 611906Four blocks of tenementsMonifieth AngusScotland 
Item 9 of 611906Rawes Farm steadingLongforgan PerthshireScotlandReconstruction
Item 10 of 611907Murroes SchoolMurroes AngusScotlandAdditions
Item 11 of 611907Park Machine Works  DundeeScotlandAlterations
Item 12 of 611907Tealing SchoolTealing AngusScotlandAdditions
Item 13 of 611908FarmhouseOld Balkello AngusScotland 
Item 14 of 611908Reconstruction of shopNewport FifeScotland 
Item 15 of 611908Whitelawstone farm and steadingWhitelawstone/Whitelawston DundeeScotlandAdditions
Item 16 of 611910Dairy for Forfarshire Pure Milk Supply Co Ltd  AngusScotland 
Item 17 of 611910Linlathen HouseBroughty Ferry DundeeScotlandAlterations
Item 18 of 611910Mansion house, stables and cottageCarnoustie AngusScotland 
Item 19 of 611920Fairmuir Special SchoolFairmuir DundeeScotlandAdditions
Item 20 of 61After 1920Lethnot Parish Church  AngusScotlandAdditions - date unknown
Item 21 of 611921House for Inglis on Strathern RoadWest Ferry DundeeScotland 
Item 22 of 611921Redmyre  DundeeScotlandAlterations?
Item 23 of 61c. 1921Royal Cinema  DundeeScotland 
Item 24 of 611922LongcroftBarnhill DundeeScotland 
Item 25 of 611924Dundee Garden City Association Kingsway Site  DundeeScotlandSite layout and design of some houses
Item 26 of 611924Lamb's Temperance Hotel  DundeeScotlandConversion to offices as Meadow House
Item 27 of 611924Monifieth War MemorialMonifieth AngusScotland 
Item 28 of 611925Pitscandly  AngusScotlandAlterations
Item 29 of 611926BenholmForfar AngusScotlandAdditions
Item 30 of 611926Harris Academy, Perth Road  DundeeScotlandUnsuccessful competition designs
Item 31 of 611926House on Glamis RoadForfar AngusScotlandHouse by Patrick
Item 32 of 611926Keithick HouseCoupar Angus AngusScotlandAlterations in hall
Item 33 of 611927Fairmuir Special SchoolFairmuir DundeeScotlandAdditions
Item 34 of 611927Plaza CinemaHilltown DundeeScotland 
Item 35 of 611928Blairgowrie HouseBlairgowrie PerthshireScotlandAlterations
Item 36 of 611928Empress Hygienic Laundry  DundeeScotlandBoiler house added
Item 37 of 611928Logie Central School and janitor's house  DundeeScotlandWon competition and secured job
Item 38 of 611928William Kidd & Sons Printing Works, Couthies Wynd  DundeeScotlandAdditions
Item 39 of 61c. 1928RavelstonAyr AyrshireScotland 
Item 40 of 611929Farnell Parish ChurchFarnell AngusScotlandSession house added - probably executed by this practice after death that year of David Wishart Galloway.
Item 41 of 611929Francis Stevenson and Sons Limited Premises  DundeeScotlandAlterations
Item 42 of 61c. 1929House for Dickie, Farington Hall  DundeeScotland 
Item 43 of 611930Regent Cinema  DundeeScotlandAlterations
Item 44 of 611930Royal Cinema  DundeeScotlandAlterations
Item 45 of 61c. 1930David Smith Memorial HospitalKirriemmuir AngusScotland 
Item 46 of 61c. 1930House at Fernhall EstateWest Ferry DundeeScotland 
Item 47 of 611931Brechin CathedralBrechin AngusScotlandOrgan cases
Item 48 of 611934Dundee Garden City Association Kingsway Site  DundeeScotlandScheme extended W of Clive Road
Item 49 of 611935Showrooms, workshops and office (for Messrs Young of the Motor House)Newport-on-Tay FifeScotland 
Item 50 of 611935Volunteer Drill HallBroughty Ferry DundeeScotlandReconstruction
Item 51 of 611936Dundee Custom House and Harbour Chambers  DundeeScotlandSingle storey extension
Item 52 of 611938Addistoun HouseRatho MidlothianScotland 
Item 53 of 611938Fothringham Hill  AngusScotland 
Item 54 of 611938House at DalmahoyDalmahoy MidlothianScotland 
Item 55 of 61c. 1938Falkirk Royal Infirmary Nurses' HomeFalkirk StirlingshireScotlandCompetition design - not successful
Item 56 of 611939SHA CampMeigle PerthshireScotland 
Item 57 of 611940Stracathro HouseBrechin (near) AngusScotlandLayout of hutted wartime hospital in grounds
Item 58 of 61c. 1940Craigendarroch HouseBallater AberdeenshireScotlandAlterations and additions
Item 59 of 61c. 1940(?)Queen's Well MemorialGlen Mark AngusScotland 
Item 60 of 611942Harecraig HouseWest Ferry DundeeScotlandProposed remodelling: not carried out
Item 61 of 611942House in Dundee  DundeeScotland 

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 3RIBA1939The RIBA Kalendar 1939-1940 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 1Dundee Courier and Advertiser3 March 1956  Obituary oif William Salmond

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 v20 no1569; F no2748 (box 11) (misspells Alexander Beith McDonald as 'MacDonald')