Basic Biographical Details

Name: Alexander ('Sandy') Mennie
Designation:  
Born: 21 September 1930
Died: 23 January 2002
Bio Notes: Alexander ('Sandy') Mennie was born in Insch, Aberdeenshire on 21 September 1930, the son of Alexander Smith Mennie, baker and his wife, Margaret Mutch, nurse. He was educated at Aberdeen Grammar School. He was a student member of the RIBA from 1953. He studied for the Diploma at Gray's School of Art, Aberdeen.

No sooner had he completed the course but Mennie was called up for National Service. He joined the Royal Engineers and served in Egypt and Cyprus. He returned to Scotland and took up his first post in Alloa where he remained for two years. He was elected ARIAS in 1954 and ARIBA in 1955.

He returned to the Garioch in 1957 to a post as assistant to Albert McCombie. In 1965 he became a partner, the practice title becoming McCombie & Mennie. He remained with the practice and on McCombie's retirement in 1993 he continued to trade under the same name until ill-health compelled him to retire in 2001. The firm won several awards for their work and acted as consultants to the National Trust for Scotland, working on all properties in the north-east. Mennie became an authority on Fyvie Castle during its restoration for which the practice was awarded the European Nostra Medal of Honour. Mennie was asked to deliver lectures on the building throughout the north-east.

In 1961 Mennie was a founding member of the Inverurie and District Round Table, acting as founder secretary and second club chairman in 1963. In 1972 he joined the Inverurie Rotary Club and served as president in 1977 as well as having terms as international convener and speakers' convener. He was a member of the parent/children association at Inverurie and a member of the Community Association. He also enjoyed hill-walking, watercolour painting and rugby, and he was an honorary vice-president of Garioch Rugby Club. His main hobby was jazz and he played both saxophone and clarinet. He served as elder at St Andrew's Church, Inverurie for 36 years and advised th fabric committee.

He died of lung cancer on 23 January 2002, survived by his wife Irene Annie Fowlie, a special needs teacher, and their two daughters.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 4Rosebank, Insch, Aberdeenshire, ScotlandPrivatec. 1954  
Item 2 of 460, Market Place, Inverurie, AberdeenshireBusiness1963  
Item 3 of 426, Barclay Street, Inverurie, Ross and Cromarty, ScotlandPrivatec. 1964  
Item 4 of 4Red Hythe, High Street, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, ScotlandPrivate1970 *2002 

* 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 2Albert McCombie1957 Assistant 
Item 2 of 2McCombie & Mennie19652001PartnerPractice closed in 2001.

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 151960sCommunity HallOld Rayne AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 2 of 151960sCommunity HallMillbrex AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 3 of 151960sFactory for the Ross GroupInverurie AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 4 of 151960sFarmsteading for Mr Andrew Forbes-LeithFyvie (?) Aberdeenshire  
Item 5 of 151960sFarmsteading for Rt Hon Lord Forbes KBE  AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 6 of 151960sFarmsteading for the Countess of Aberdeen, HaddoHaddo AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 7 of 151960sForbes Simmers FactoryHatton, Peterhead AberdeenshireScotlandExtensions
Item 8 of 151960sHotelSt Fergus AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 9 of 151960sHousing (low rise and multi-storey) for Ellon Town CouncilEllon AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 10 of 151960sHousing (low rise and multistorey) for Inverurie Town CouncilInverurie AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 11 of 151960sHousing (low rise and multistorey) for the Town CouncilInverurie AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 12 of 151960sWilliam Hay & Sons FactoryInverurie AberdeenshireScotlandExtensions
Item 13 of 15c. 1962House for Robin JohnstonMillbrex Aberdeenshire  
Item 14 of 151968Chapel of Garioch Parish ChurchChapel of Garioch AberdeenshireScotlandSmall outshoots to each side
Item 15 of 151980s(?)Fyvie Castle and ancillary buildingsFyvie AberdeenshireScotlandRestoration including reinstatement of 18th century bellcote.

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 6Bailey, Rebecca M1996Scottish architects' papers: a source book Edinburgh: The Rutland Pressp94
Item 2 of 6RIBA1954RIBA Kalendar 1953-54   
Item 3 of 6RIBA1964The RIBA Kalendar 1963-64   
Item 4 of 6RIBA1970RIBA Directory 1970   
Item 5 of 6RIBA1981Directory of Practices 1981   
Item 6 of 6RIBA1984RIBA Directory of members   

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1RIAS Chartered Architect2002v14, no2 Spring issue - death note and obituary

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 2H M Register HouseDeath Register  
Item 2 of 2RIAS, Rutland SquareRecords of membership Obituary by Stuart Watson