Basic Biographical Details

Name: Frederic (Derry) James Alexander Gilmour
Designation:  
Born: 7 May 1942
Died: 29 October 2013
Bio Notes: Frederic (‘Derry’) James Alexander Gilmour was born in Liverpool on 7 May 1942. His family moved to Kirkcaldy when he was a year old as his grandfather was Provost in the town. Gilmour was educated at Gordonstoun and studied Mathematics and Natural Philosophy at the University of St Andrews in the early 1960s. He subsequently studied for the diploma in architecture at Edinburgh College of Art. He was awarded travelling scholarships in 1966, 1967 and 1968 and a post graduate scholarship to study economic issues of conservation. He was elected ARIBA in 1970.

Between 1970 and 1972 Gilmour worked with the South Eastern Regional Hospital Board. In 1973 he formed a partnership with David John Stamp as Gilmour & Stamp which lasted three years. He moved to the practice of Roth & Partners, 42 George Street, Edinburgh and in the early 1980s he joined Kneale & Russell where he worked on the renovation of Fort George as the battalion headquarters for the Army. This was followed in the mid-1980s by a period spent working for the Motor Industry Research Association in Nuneaton, Warwickshire on building anechoic chambers.

In the late 1980s Gilmour had a post with J & F Johnston, of Leith and he was involved with the conversion of Longmore House for the new headquarters for Historic Scotland and also worked on the adaptation of the old furniture warehouse for the headquarters of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. In 1997 he joined the staff of Historic Scotland and managed the care of properties and monuments throughout Shetland, Orkney and the Western Isles. He remained with Historic Scotland until 2002. It is not yet clear what employment Gilmour had in the years 2002-2005 but in 2005 he had a post with Fife Council where he worked on town hall restoration and on the Council’s blue light services’ buildings and related facilities. He retired in 2011 aged 69.

Outwith his work Gilmour enjoyed travel and went with fellow members of the profession on several architectural trips abroad. He was a keen hill-walker and enjoyed shooting. He supervised the restoration of the canons at Fort George.

He died on 29 October 2013, survived by his wife Sarah, his five children and two grandchildren.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 342, George Street, Edinburgh, ScotlandBusiness1979  
Item 2 of 329, Alva Street, Edinburgh, ScotlandBusiness1984 *  
Item 3 of 35, St John's Place, Leith, Edinburgh, ScotlandBusiness1994  

* 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 7Roth & Partners1970s Architect 
Item 2 of 7South East Regional Hospital Board, Architect's Department (or South Eastern Hospital Board)19701972Architect 
Item 3 of 7Gilmour & Stamp19731976Partner 
Item 4 of 7Kneale & RussellEarly 1980s Architect 
Item 5 of 7J & F Johnston & PartnersLate 1980s1990sArchitect 
Item 6 of 7Historic Scotland Architects Department19972002Architect 
Item 7 of 7Fife Regional Council (later Fife Council) Architectural Services20052011Architect 

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 2197424 Grassmarket  EdinburghScotlandRefurbishment
Item 2 of 21994Longmore Hospital for IncurablesNewington EdinburghScotland3-storey U-plan range added to form enclosed courtyard to rear. Conversion to offices.

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 3RIBA1975RIBA Directory of practices   
Item 2 of 3RIBA1979Directory of members   
Item 3 of 3RIBA1984RIBA Directory of members   

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1RIAS Quarterly2014 Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS)Spring