Basic Biographical Details

Name: William ('Bill') Fergus Campbell McAra
Designation:  
Born: 7 July 1929
Died: 4 October 2011
Bio Notes: William ('Bill') Fergus Campbell McAra was brought up in Cupar, where he was born on 7 July 1929, the son of William McAra, grocer, and his wife Elizabeth Gray Campbell. He studied for his diploma in architecture at Dundee College of Art and was elected ARIBA in 1956 and ARIAS in 1964. He joined Fife County Architect's Department in the 1960s, working for the Education Section. Towards the end of his career he received a Civic Trust Award for his restoration of East Lomond Limekiln which dates friom the 18th century. He retired in 1992.

Outwith his profession he was an enthusiastic member of Cupar Amateur Operative Society and Cupar Choral Society, and travelled to see opera performances in Prague, Verona, Bregenz and Stockholm as well as regularly attending Edinburgh International Festival. He also enjoyed quiz shows, appearing himself in 'Ask the Family' and 'Fifteen to One'.

He died in October 2011 after a short illness, survived by his wife Mary Hay, a retired primary school teacher, his children Kenneth and Lucy and his grandchildren Fiona and James.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 3Cupar, Fife, ScotlandPrivate  place of birth
Item 2 of 385, Balgarvie Crescent, Cupar, Fife, ScotlandPrivate1957 *  
Item 3 of 329, Edenbank Road, Cupar, Fife, ScotlandPrivate1960 *After 1970Seems to have remained at this address.

* 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 2Fife County Education Architect's Department1960sBefore 1992Architect 
Item 2 of 2Fife Regional Council (later Fife Council) Architectural Services1975(?)1992  

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 10After 1960(?)Bell-Baxter High SchoolCupar FifeScotlandExtension - working for Fife Education Architect's Department
Item 2 of 101961Madras College, South StreetSt Andrews FifeScotlandPhase II as project architect with Fife County Education Architects Department
Item 3 of 101965St Kenneth's Primary SchoolBallingry FifeScotlandAs project architect with Fife County Education Architects Department
Item 4 of 101969(?)Primary School, CulrossCulross FifeScotlandProject architect with Fife County Education Architects Department
Item 5 of 101972Canongate Primary SchoolSt Andrews FifeScotlandProject architect with Fife County Education Architects section
Item 6 of 101974St Agatha's RC Primary SchoolLeven FifeScotlandAs project architect
Item 7 of 101976Foulford Primary SchoolCowdenbeath FifeScotland 
Item 8 of 101977Wormit Primary SchoolWormit FifeScotlandWorking for Fife Regional Council - project architect
Item 9 of 101980Collydean Primary SchoolGlenrothes FifeScotlandAs project architect with Fife Regional Council
Item 10 of 101980s or 1990sEast Lomond LimekilnEast Lomond FifeScotlandRestoration - project architect, for Fife Regional Council

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 3RIBA1960The RIBA Kalendar 1959-19601959-1960  
Item 2 of 3RIBA1965The RIBA Kalendar   
Item 3 of 3RIBA1979Directory of members   

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 2RIAS Quarterly2011WinterRoyal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS)pp 95-6: obituary
Item 2 of 2The Courier7 October 2011   

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