R & R Dickson
Richard and Robert Dickson(usually simply referred to asR & R Dickson) were brothers, acting as architects in Scotland in the early and mid-19th century. Whilst most of their work is typified by remote country houses they are best known for their magnificent spire on theTron Kirkin the heart ofEdinburghon theRoyal Mile.[1]
Life
[edit]They were the sons of John Dickson (1766–1828), anEdinburghbuilder. Their mother was Mary Crichton, sister toRichard Crichton(1771–1817), an Edinburgh architect, and they appear to have trained under him, taking over his office upon his death.[2]
Their offices were at 9 Blenheim Place near the top ofLeith Walka handsome and unusual building forming part of a terrace designed byPlayfairand built by their own father in 1824. It is possible that the unit was in lieu of payment for this stylish row, characterised by its being the only flat roofed Georgian terraced "bungalows" (with basement for servants) in Edinburgh.[3]
They designed in a variety of styles from Gothic to Classical. There buildings are both sound and attractive and most are now listed buildings.
Richard (1792–1857) was the older of the two. He is buried inOld Calton Cemeterywith his parents.[2]
Works
[edit]
- AbercairneyHouse,Crieff(1817) completing Richard Crichton's job on his death
- Cockpen Parish Church(1817) again completing Richard Crichton's design on his death
- KilconquharParish Church (1819) a slightly enlarged version of the Cockpen design
- Redesign ofCortachy Castle(1820) adding crenellations as were the fashion of the day
- Coul House,Contin(1820)
- Whitehaugh,Newcastleton(1822)
- West LodgeBalbirnie House(1824) note- they probably worked on the main house during their apprenticeship under Richard Crichton
- The large tenement at Gardners Crescent/ Morrison Street inEdinburgh(1826)
- Classical crescent, 1-25 Gardners Crescent (1826)
- Church at Gardners Crescent (1827) (demolished)
- Inchrye Lodge,Denmylne CastlenearNewburgh, Fife(1827)
- Leith Town Hall(1827) now Leith Police Station
- The impressive spire on theTron Kirkon theRoyal Mile(1828) rebuilt in a Wren style following theGreat Fire of Edinburghof 1824 in which the original spire was destroyed
- Muirhousein rural north-westEdinburgh(1830) now encompassed by the city
- Bathgate Academy(1831)
- Veterinary College, Clyde Street,Edinburgh(1833) closed 1916 to move to Summerhall. Building demolished to build a cinema c.1930 and then cleared for St Andrew Square Bus Station
- West lodge,Blair Drummond(1836) note- the brothers probably worked on the main house (designed byRichard Crichton) during their apprenticeship
- St James Episcopal Church,Muthill(1836)
- CollessieParish Church (1838)
- Estate buildings, Arbuthnott House,Kincardineshire(1839)
- Dr Bell's School,Great Junction Street,Leith(1839)
- Dunimarle Castle(1839)
- Blair Cottages,Blair Atholl(1840)
- CollessieSchool and schoolmaster's house (1846)
- Kinellan House, Murrayfield, Edinburgh (1846) probably for theMacKenzies of Kinellanin Ross and Cromarty
- Duchess of Atholl's Girls School,Dunkeld(1853)
- Kincardine School, Kincardine-in-Menteith,Perthshire(1855)
- Atholl Arms Hotel, Blair Atholl(1856)
- Garryside Village,Blair Atholl(1856)
- Duke of Atholl's School,Logierait(1863)
- Possibly: Wooers' Alley, Dunfermline (c.1828)
References
[edit]- ^Buildings of Scotland:Edinburgh by Gifford McWilliam and Walker
- ^abcDictionary of Scottish Architects: Dickson
- ^"(87) - Scottish Post Office Directories > Towns > Edinburgh > 1805-1834 - Post Office annual directory > 1832-1833 - Scottish Directories - National Library of Scotland".Retrieved20 January2017.
- ^Buildings of Scotland: Edinburgh by Gifford McWilliam and Walker
- A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects, H M Colvin