Duncan Menzies (architect)

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Duncan Menzies (1837-1910) was a Scottish architect and civil engineer. His best known work is the Turnberry Hotel in Ayrshire. His grandest scheme is Murrayfield Avenue in west Edinburgh.

Life[]

Turnberry Hotel
The grave of Duncan Menzies, Grange Cemetery, Edinburgh

He was born on 22 July 1837 the son of Duncan Menzies a spirit dealer at 28 Canal Street in southwest Edinburgh.[1] Around 1852 he was articled to Robert Bell, an architect based at 25 St Patrick Square in Edinburgh’s South Side and specialising in farm steadings.[2] When Bell died in 1859 he succeeded to his practice, aged only 21. Changing the company to Bell & Menzies he relocated to 13 Young Street in the New Town, Edinburgh before merging with the more experienced James W. Stewart to create Stewart & Menzies. The firm moved to 39 York Place in 1878. The partnership ended in 1881. After a period of sole practice he joined with Alex W Cockburn around 1901 to create Menzies & Cockburn taking a new premises at 33 York Place. At this time he lived in a substantial Georgian townhouse at 31 Regent Terrace on Calton Hill.[3]

In late life he lived at 23 Upper Grove Place in south-west Edinburgh.[4]

He died on 24 July 1910. He is buried south of the south-west section of Grange Cemetery in south Edinburgh. on the path that leads over the central vaults.

Family[]

He married Catherine Balfour (née Todd) (1845-1932).

Known Works[]

  • Stable courtyard, in Fife (1863)
  • Cockburnspath School and Schoolhouse (1870)
  • Buildings at East Pilton (probably Lauriston Farm) (1872)
  • Easter Drylaw Cottages (possibly the Dalry Colonies) (1872)
  • Forrest Hill drill hall (1872)
  • Hallyards Farm (1872)
  • North Gyle Cottages (1872)
  • Gogar Mains Cottages (1878)
  • Windsor Place United Presbyterian Church (1878)
  • The Ship Hotel on The Shore, Leith (1888)
  • Ticket centre for Waverley Station on the corner of Waverley Bridge and East Market Street (1889)
  • A large stepped terrace of house at 2-60 Murrayfield Avenue (1889-1891)
  • A much shorter terrace opposite the above, 1-9 Murrayfield Avenue (1893)
  • Crichton Church, Cumnock (1897)
  • Line of shops, Ayr Road, Cumnock (1897)
  • Turnberry Hotel (1906)
  • Terraced houses, 1-18 and 28-32 Mayfield Road (1910)

References[]

  1. ^ Edinburgh and Leith Post Office Directory 1837-38
  2. ^ Goold, David. "Dictionary of Scottish Architects - DSA Architect Biography Report (January 25, 2017, 4:52 pm)".
  3. ^ Goold, David. "Dictionary of Scottish Architects - DSA Architect Biography Report (January 25, 2017, 4:52 pm)".
  4. ^ Edinburgh and Leith Post Office Directory 1909-10
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