Basic Biographical Details

Name: Robert Hurd & Partners (or R A Hurd & Partners)
Designation:  
Born: 1953
Died: 1988
Bio Notes: The practice was formed after Robert Hurd's previous partner, Norman A G Neil, left Neil & Hurd in 1950. The name of the practice then became Robert Hurd Architect. In 1953, Ian Begg, who had been an assistant from 1951, was taken into partnership and the practice became Robert Hurd & Partners. Hurd died in 1963 and from then until 1965 Ian Begg was sole partner. In 1965 the practice was merged with that of L A Rolland & Partners, which was run by Larry Rolland at the time following the death of his father in 1959.

In 1975, Robert Hurd & Partners bought Rossend Castle in Burntisland and restored it as offices for their own use.

The practice won a Saltire Award in 1957 and 1967 and a Civic Trust Commendation in 1960 for restoration work in the Royal Mile.

The practice won the Edinburgh Architectural Association's Centenary Medal in 1983 in recognition of an outstanding record of restoration in the Charlotte Square - George Street - St Andrew Square base line of Edinburgh's New Town.

The practices of Robert Hurd & Partners and L A Rolland & Partners were merged in 1965. However they still operated under their separate titles until 1988 when they became The Hurd Rolland Partnership.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 313, Manor Place, Edinburgh, ScotlandBusiness1964 *  
Item 2 of 3Rossend Castle, Burntisland, Fife, ScotlandBusiness1975  
Item 3 of 3Old Sick Bay, Kyle of Lochalsh, Inverness-shire, ScotlandBusiness1981 Branch office

* earliest date known from documented sources.

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 17Robert Philip Andrew Hurd19531963Partner 
Item 2 of 17Ian McKerron Begg1953(?)After 198Partner 
Item 3 of 17James ('Jimmy') Hunter Shepherd1956 Assistant 
Item 4 of 17James ('Jimmy') Hunter Shepherd1965 Associate 
Item 5 of 17N Smith1970s Architect 
Item 6 of 17Henry ('Harry') McFarlane Bunch1970s1988Partner 
Item 7 of 17David Greig Sibbald19721977Job architect 
Item 8 of 17James ('Jimmy') Hunter Shepherd1979 Partner 
Item 9 of 17Robert ('Bob') Heath1979 Architect 
Item 10 of 17Patricia M Hay (Miss)Early 1970s Assistant 
Item 11 of 17Robert ('Bob') FitzgeraldLate 1970sBefore 1979  
Item 12 of 17Frank BurstowLate 1970sMid 1980sArchitect 
Item 13 of 17David Irvine PirieMid 1970s1980sPartner 
Item 14 of 17Alan Stewart Clyde1980s PartnerNot listed as partner in 1981 Directory
Item 15 of 17James Stevenson1980s ArchitectNot listed as partner in 1981 Directory
Item 16 of 17Ian Geddesc. 1980 Architect 
Item 17 of 17Jeff SmithEarly 1980s ArchitectNot listed as partner in 1981 Directory

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 1131950sBlocks of housingOld Aberdeen AberdeenScotlandRestoration of several blocks of 18th and 19th century houses
Item 2 of 1131953Tolbooth Area redevelopment  EdinburghScotland 
Item 3 of 113After 1953Sandford CottageWormit FifeScotlandNW extension
Item 4 of 1131954Culross Abbey HouseCulross FifeScotlandRestoration
Item 5 of 1131954House of Nisbet of Dirleton, Canongate  EdinburghScotlandRebuilding
Item 6 of 1131955Tenement, 246 -248 Canongate  EdinburghScotlandRestoration
Item 7 of 1131955Tenement, 250-254 Canongate  EdinburghScotlandRestoration
Item 8 of 1131956Bible LandRoyal Mile EdinburghScotlandRestoration
Item 9 of 1131956Shoemaker's Land  EdinburghScotlandReconstructed
Item 10 of 1131957Emmanuel CollegeCambridge CambridgeshireEnglandNew kitchens and dining hall and restoration and reconstruction.
Item 11 of 1131957Tenements, 189-191 Canongate  EdinburghScotlandRestoration
Item 12 of 1131958202-254 Canongate  EdinburghScotlandRestoration
Item 13 of 1131958Tenement, 191 Canongate  EdinburghScotland 
Item 14 of 1131959Lamb's HouseLeith EdinburghScotlandRestoration
Item 15 of 1131959Newtonmill House  AngusScotlandRestoration
Item 16 of 1131960s29 houses and schoolKyle of Lochalsh Ross and CromartyScotland 
Item 17 of 1131960Surgeons' Hall  EdinburghScotlandCouncil room flush-panelled.
Item 18 of 113September 1962Library and Village CentreSkelmorlie  Scotland 
Item 19 of 1131963Chessel's Court Redevelopment  EdinburghScotlandNorth block restoration
Item 20 of 1131963DrumkilboMeigle PerthshireScotlandRestoration
Item 21 of 1131965202-204 Canongate  EdinburghScotland 
Item 22 of 1131965Dalry House  EdinburghScotlandRestoration
Item 23 of 1131966The Plock HousingKyle of Lochalsh Ross and CromartyScotlandPractice then in conjunction with L A Rolland & Partners
Item 24 of 113c. 1966Ashintully Castle  PerthshireScotlandRestoration
Item 25 of 11319681-11 Charlotte Square  EdinburghScotlandRestoration of 1 and 2 Charlotte Square
Item 26 of 1131968Ard LamraigSleatSkyeInverness-shireScotland 
Item 27 of 113197012 Charlotte Street  EdinburghScotlandRestoration
Item 28 of 113197048 Queen Street  EdinburghScotlandRestoration
Item 29 of 113Late 197035 St Andrew Square  EdinburghScotlandCHECK
Item 30 of 113197211-15 Canongate  Edinburgh  
Item 31 of 1131972135 George Street  EdinburghScotlandRestoration
Item 32 of 1131972King's WarkLeith EdinburghScotlandRestoration.
Item 33 of 1131972Robertson's Court  EdinburghScotlandGables of nos 11-15 restored
Item 34 of 1131972Shepherd House CottageInveresk East LothianScotlandRestoration and conversion of disused stable wing to form self-contained cottage.
Item 35 of 113197323-24 Fettes Row  EdinburghScotlandRestoration - practice then in conjunction with L A Rolland & Partners
Item 36 of 1131973DuncanslandStockbridge EdinburghScotlandRestoration, conversion to flats and restaurant - practice then in conjucntion with L A Rolland & Partners
Item 37 of 1131973St Andrew's Parish Church  EdinburghScotlandConversion of cellar to undercroft
Item 38 of 1131974Aboyne CastleAboyne AberdeenshireScotlandRestoration. Practice in conjunction with L A Rolland at this time.
Item 39 of 1131974Britannic Assurance Company, 127-129 George Street  EdinburghScotlandRestoration
Item 40 of 1131974Fettes Row  EdinburghScotlandW pavilion refaced
Item 41 of 1131974First New Town, Charlotte Square, George Street, St Andrew Square  EdinburghScotlandRestoration
Item 42 of 1131974Rapid Housing Programme HousingKyle of Lochalsh Ross and CromartyScotlandPlanned - practice then associated with LA Rolland & Partners
Item 43 of 1131974Rapid Housing Programme HousingErbusaig Ross and CromartyScotlandPlanned - practice then associated with L A Rolland & Partners
Item 44 of 1131974Rapid Housing Programme HousingRattagan Ross and CromartyScotlandPlanned - practice then associated with L A Rolland & Partners
Item 45 of 1131974Stockbridge House Day CentreStockbridge EdinburghScotland 
Item 46 of 113c. 19741, 2 MidshoreSt Monans FifeScotlandRestoration
Item 47 of 1131975Bank of Scotland, New Town Branch  EdinburghScotlandInterior decoration and expansion of space to include adjacent properties. Restoration of bank and development of offices.
Item 48 of 1131975Clarence Street corner block  EdinburghScotlandRestoration
Item 49 of 1131975Houses, Harbour StreetPlockton Ross and CromartyScotlandRestoration. Various job architects involved - not specified.
Item 50 of 1131975Rossend CastleBurntisland FifeScotlandRestoration. With L A Rolland.
Item 51 of 1131975Royal Exchange Square, North side  GlasgowScotlandRestoration
Item 52 of 1131975Royal Exchange Square, south side  GlasgowScotlandRestoration
Item 53 of 1131975Skye & Lochalsh Housing Scheme, BalmacaraBalmacara Ross and CromartyScotlandAt that time practice in conjunction with L A Rolland & Partners
Item 54 of 1131975Skye & Lochalsh Housing Scheme, DornieDornie Ross and CromartyScotlandAt that time practice in conjunction with L A Rolland & Partners
Item 55 of 1131975Skye & Lochalsh Housing Scheme, DunveganDunvegan Inverness-shireScotlandHurd working with L A Rolland at this time.
Item 56 of 1131975Skye & Lochalsh Housing Scheme, KyleakinKyleakin Inverness-shireScotlandPractice in conjunction with L A Rolland at this time.
Item 57 of 1131975Skye & Lochalsh Housing Scheme, PlocktonPlockton Ross and CromartyScotlandAt that time practice in conjunction with L A Rolland & Partners
Item 58 of 1131975Skye and Lochalsh Housing Scheme, UigUig Ross and CromartyScotlandPractice working in conjunction with L A Rolland & Partners at this time.
Item 59 of 113Before 1975Kilrenny Town HallCellardyke FifeScotlandRestoration
Item 60 of 113Before 1975Local Authority HousingBiggar LanarkshireScotland 
Item 61 of 113Before 1975Net HouseLower Largo FifeScotlandRestoration for dwelling house. Unclear if involved.
Item 62 of 113c. 1975CadbollHilton of Cadboll Ross and CromartyScotlandExtension of S wing
Item 63 of 113c. 1975Dalry House  EdinburghScotlandReconstruction for Old People's Welfare Council
Item 64 of 113c. 1975Lamb's HouseLeith EdinburghScotlandReconstruction for Old People's Welfare Council
Item 65 of 1131976105 George Street  EdinburghScotlandRestoration
Item 66 of 113197632 Charlotte Square  EdinburghScotlandRestoration
Item 67 of 1131976Ardvasor, InnSleatSkyeInverness-shireScotlandExtension
Item 68 of 1131976Buildings, 1-8 Baxter's Place and Greenside Lane  EdinburghScotlandRestoration and office development 1-3 Baxter's Place.
Item 69 of 1131976Hotel Eilean IarmainIsleornsaySkyeInverness-shireScotlandRear extension
Item 70 of 1131976Old Flour MillLundin Links FifeScotlandConversion to dwelling house
Item 71 of 1131976Russell House, 3 Canongate  EdinburghScotlandRestoration
Item 72 of 1131977The Fish HouseUllapool Ross and CromartyScotlandConversion of fish store to ferry terminal and tourist office.
Item 73 of 1131978Dowell's Rooms  EdinburghScotlandRestoration
Item 74 of 1131978Gleneagles HouseAuchterarder PerthshireScotlandRestoration and alterations
Item 75 of 1131978Kyle of Lochalsh Primary SchoolKyle of Lochalsh Ross and CromartyScotlandAlterations and additons? Practice at that time was in conjunction with L A Rolland & Partners
Item 76 of 1131978Ladies Caledonian Club, Charlotte Square  EdinburghScotlandRestoration
Item 77 of 1131978Muckrach Castle  MorayshireScotlandReconstruction of ruinous building.
Item 78 of 1131978Newington and St Leonard's ChurchNewington EdinburghScotlandConversion to concert venue
Item 79 of 1131978Stevenson House  EdinburghScotlandRestoration to original buildings
Item 80 of 113197916-18 Calton Hill and end house  EdinburghScotland 
Item 81 of 113197991-93 George Street  EdinburghScotlandRestoration.
Item 82 of 1131979Cramond TowerCramond EdinburghScotlandRestoration and conversion to house.
Item 83 of 1131979Dalzell HouseMotherwell LanarkshireScotlandWorks to save fabric
Item 84 of 1131979Insurance Company of Scotland  EdinburghScotlandRestoration
Item 85 of 1131979National Portrait Gallery and Museum of Antiquities  EdinburghScotlandRestoration
Item 86 of 113Late 1970s40 houses for Burgh of BiggarBiggar LanarkshireScotland 
Item 87 of 1131980s(?)26 St Andrew Square  EdinburghScotlandRestoration
Item 88 of 113198046 Charlotte Square  EdinburghScotlandRestoration of 46
Item 89 of 113198093 George Street  EdinburghScotlandRestoration of lower section and removal of MacNaughtan's portico.
Item 90 of 1131980Brodie Castle  MorayshireScotlandRestoration.
Item 91 of 1131980Gladstone's Land  EdinburghScotlandInterior alterations for shop and museum facilities.
Item 92 of 1131980Preston Mill and DoocotEast Linton East LothianScotlandRepairs
Item 93 of 1131980Provan HallEasterhouse GlasgowScotlandRestoration
Item 94 of 1131980Snizort Parish ChurchKensaleyreSkyeInverness-shireScotlandRestoration.
Item 95 of 113c. 1980Kinnettles  AngusScotlandRestoration
Item 96 of 1131981College of Domestic Science  EdinburghScotlandRestoration and reconstruction.
Item 97 of 1131981Malta Green HouseStockbridge Edinburgh Restoration and new housing grouped around house.
Item 98 of 113Before 1981Anstruther Easter Town HallAnstruther Easter FifeScotlandRestoration
Item 99 of 113Before 1981Pittenweem Town HallPittenweem FifeScotlandRestoration
Item 100 of 113Before 1981Town HouseAuchtermuchty FifeScotlandRestoration
Item 101 of 1131982Edinburgh Life Assurance Company  EdinburghScotlandRestoration
Item 102 of 1131982John Knox House  EdinburghScotlandRestoration
Item 103 of 1131982St Magnus Episcopal ChurchLerwickMainlandShetlandScotlandRestoration - report and specification
Item 104 of 1131983Acheson House  EdinburghScotlandRepairs and restoration.
Item 105 of 1131983Balmacara, barnsBalmacara Ross and CromartyScotlandConversion of barns to holiday flats.
Item 106 of 1131983No 2 Luib SkyeInverness-shireScotlandRestoration
Item 107 of 11319844 Charlotte Square  EdinburghScotlandRestoration.
Item 108 of 1131984Jane Welsh Carlyle Museum and Warden's HouseHaddington East LothianScotlandConversion to Museum and Warden's House
Item 109 of 1131984St Andrew's Parish Church  EdinburghScotlandRestoration
Item 110 of 1131985St Mary and St Finnan RC ChurchGlenfinnan Inverness-shireScotlandRestoration.
Item 111 of 1131985Veitch's Hotel, 120-124 George Street  EdinburghScotlandRestoration
Item 112 of 1131985Wine Company Premises, 14 George Street  EdinburghScotlandRestoration
Item 113 of 113c. 197047 Cumberland Street Rehabilitation  Edinburgh Completed prior to 1974

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 5Glendinning, Miles1997Rebuilding Scotland: The Postwar Vision, 1945-75  Tuckwell Press Ltdp7 Tolbooth Area Redevelopment; Morocco Land; Chessel's Court
p8 Image of Chessel's Court when newly completed in 1966
p160-1 Chessel's Court
Item 2 of 5Glendinning, Miles2008Modern architect: the life and times of Robert Matthew RIBA Publishingp467
Item 3 of 5Municipal Annual1964Scottish Municipal Annual1964-1965  
Item 4 of 5Pride, Glen L1999The Kingdom of Fife2nd EditionThe Rutland Pressp26
Item 5 of 5RIBA1981Directory of Practices 1981   

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1Scotsman31 March 1983  Article entitled "Architect partnership's work is recognised", written by Jim Gilchrist