Basic Biographical Details

Name: Robert Kay
Designation:  
Born: 1740
Died: 1818
Bio Notes: Robert Kay was born at Cairnton near Penicuik and was trained as a wright or carpenter. He was related to the caricaturist John Kay (by whom a caricature of Robert Kay was drawn). He gradually made the transition to builder and architect ‘by steady application and industry’ and acquired a fine reputation.

He entered the competition for St Andrew’s Church in George Street, Edinburgh with a design for an oval church. Captain Frazer won the competition but gave his prize money to Robert Kay because he thought the latter’s designs were ‘highly meritorious’. Kay was also involved in the design for South Bridge and Hunter Square. The Adam brothers had proposed something much grander and Kay’s designs were subjected to much criticism. As a result they were altered during execution.

Kay was employed by the Commissioners of Northern Lighthouses and designed lighthouses as far afield as Orkney and the Western Isles.

Robert Kay also worked as a drawing master, although in Post Office directories he does not appear as such and he is listed as an architect by 1784-85.

Kay successfully speculated on the South Bridge development and as a result could afford to build a house at Wester Duddingston on his retirement. He died there in 1818. He was buried in Calton Old Burying Ground. His fortune was mostly bequeathed to charity.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 2Hunter Square, Edinburgh , ScotlandBusinessc. 1784After 1799 
Item 2 of 27, Carnegie Street, Edinburgh, ScotlandBusinessc. 1810 Listed as a builder at this address. Is this the same person?

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 101781St Andrew's Parish Church  EdinburghScotlandCompetition design - not successful but Frazer gave him the prize money because he thought highly of the design.
Item 2 of 101785Houses on South Bridge and Hunter Square  EdinburghScotland 
Item 3 of 10Before 1785South Bridge  EdinburghScotlandEmployed by the Trustees to make plans
Item 4 of 101786LighthouseMull of Kintyre ArgyllScotland 
Item 5 of 101786LighthouseScalpayHarrisRoss & CromartyScotland 
Item 6 of 101786Lighthouse North RonaldsayOrkneyScotland 
Item 7 of 101790Block of buildings, South Bridge, Blair Street and Cowgate  EdinburghScotlandBuilding possibly designed by Robert Kay.
Item 8 of 101796ChurchWick CaithnessScotlandPlans drawn up - not executed
Item 9 of 101796College Street Relief Church  EdinburghScotland 
Item 10 of 10c. 1806Wester Duddingston houseDuddingston EdinburghScotland 

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 2Colvin, Howard2008A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects 1600-1840 London: YUP. 4th edition 
Item 2 of 2Kay, John1838Original Portraits  volume ii, p378

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1The Book of the Old Edinburgh Club xxiv p167, n