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Practices

Basic Biographic Details

Gildard & Macfarlane
Architectural practice
OR (2 Years Selected)
1852
1853
Circa (Year)
1862
Thomas Gildard ('Gildey') was born at Luss (or Bonhill - sources vary) in 1822, the son of Jonas Gildard, hotelkeeper, and his wife Mary Taylor. In December 1838 he was articled to David and James Hamilton for five years, and probably remained with them after David's death until the Hamilton & Smith partnership was sequestrated in 1844. He never stated where he spent the next few years, perhaps with the Smith & Baird partnership which succeeded it, but c.1852-53 he formed a partnership with Robert Hutchison Murdoch Macfarlane. Macfarlane had been born c.1831, the son of Robert Macfarlane, cotton manufacturer, and his wife Helen Hutchison; it is not known in which office he was articled. Volumes which have appeared on the market with his crest bookplate indicate that he was able to afford an excellent library, and family connections saw the partnership off to a quick start.

The partnership was cemented by Macfarlane marrying Gildard's sister Eliza Taylor Gildard in the Alloway Hotel at Ayr on 28 September 1859, but it proved tragically short: Eliza died soon afterwards and Macfarlane himself died of consumption at 115 Dumbarton Road, Glasgow on 23 March 1862, the death being reported by his brother-in-law. He was buried in Glasgow Cathedral Cemetery. Gildrad continued to practice after his death until 1865 practising from home at 31 Elderslie Street, 1868. By this time he had joined the staff of his lifelong friend John Carrick, who had closed his partnership with James Brown to become full-time City Master of Works in 1854. He appears to have worked for Carrick and worked from home concurrently.

Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this architectural practice:

Business Addresses

Business Addresses2

AddressTypeDate FromDate ToNotes
163 Hope Street Glasgow ScotlandBusinessBefore 1853After 1860
104 West Regent Street Edinburgh ScotlandBusinessIn year 1862

Partners, Employees and Pupils

The following individuals were employed or trained by this architectural practice (click on an item to view details):

Employees or Pupils2

NamePositionDate FromDate ToNotes
Thomas GildardPartner1852 or 1853In year 1862
Robert Hutchison Murdoch MacfarlanePartner1852 or 1853In year 1862

Buildings and Designs

This architectural practice was involved with the following buildings or structures from the date specified (click on an item to view details):

Buildings and Designs

BuildingPartnership GPRoleDate FromDate ToTown DistrictIslandCity CountyCountryNotes
Unitarian ChurchDArchitectural practiceIn year 1853GlasgowScotlandCompetition designs - not successful
Clyde Thread WorksAIn year 1854GlasgowScotland
Belgrave TerraceAIn year 1856GlasgowScotland
Campbell's Music SalonAIn year 1857GlasgowScotlandRe-facing of earlier warehouse and construction of music hall
ArdenvohrAIn year 1857Rhu/RowDunbartonshireScotland
Seafield TowerAArchitectural practiceIn year 1858ArdrossanAyrshireScotlandAdditions

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this architectural practice:

Bib ref

AuthorTitleDatePublisherPartNotes
Architects Engineers and Building Trades DirectoryArchitect's, Engineer's and Building Trades' Directory1868London, Wyman

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this architectural practice:

Period ref

Periodical NamePublisherDate CircEditionNotes
Glasgow Herald1895/12/06*Obituary of Thomas Gildard
Builders Journal1895/12/10*Obituary of Thomas Gildard
The Bailie1889/06/12no 869'Men You Know' - portrait etc.

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this architectural practice:

Arc ref

Archive NameSourceSource Cat NoBuildingItem NameNotes
Professor David M Walker, notes and collection of archive materialProfessor David M Walker personal archivePersonal information from Alexander Wright