Dictionary of Scottish Architects

The Dictionary of Scottish Architects is a resource available over the web for anyone who is interested in the built environment and those who created it.   It is free of charge and without restriction - www.scottisharchitects.org.uk



The Dictionary of Scottish Architects has complete coverage of the period 1840-1940.  All architects who worked in Scotland (whether they are Scottish, English or foreign) are included as well as architects who emigrated from Scotland and worked overseas. At present there is a new project in hand which is adding all architects working in the period 1940-1980.  This will be complete by 2011.  



You can search the Dictionary for names of architects or buildings.  You can look up the name of an architect you want to learn more about, and find biographical information and lists of works with dates, or you can look for all architects in a particular town or city.  Or you can search for a building by name or address and discover who designed it, when it was built and other information on its history. Or, if you know the name of the person who commissioned a building, you can search on the name and find details of the building and its architect.




Anyone who has access to the internet can use the Dictionary without restriction.  We hope that all sorts of users will find it useful and interesting – not just students and academic researchers, planning officers and architects, local historians and life-long learners but also school pupils, family researchers and anyone who is interested in the buildings they see around them and their designers.



Professor David Walker who retired from St Andrews University, School of Art History in 2001 was director of the first phase of the Dictionary project from 2002.  He is an expert in the period 1840-1940 and his research notes on many architects gathered over a period of 50 years and his recollections of some of the architects have formed the nucleus of the database.  Professor Walker was assisted by two researchers and an IT specialist.  He is still actively involved with the development of the project as well as the maintenance of the earlier phase, as new information comes to light.



Since November 2007 Historic Scotland has taken over the management and development of  the Dictionary.  The advancement of the Dictionary project is now assisted by the Scottish Centre for Conservation Studies at Edinburgh College of Art. The management of the Dictionary team is overseen by a steering group with representatives from the following bodies:

Edinburgh College of Art
RIAS
DOCOMOMO
The University of St Andrews
RCAHMS



If you know any more about any of the architects or buildings in the Dictionary of Scottish Architects, we will be very pleased to hear from you.  Use the contacts form on the website or send an email to yvonne.hillyard@scotland.gsi.gov.uk




Since becoming available to the public in 2006 the Dictionary has been interrogated and provided information well over a million and a half times.  There are users from all over the globe.  Information has been sent in from many different places and people. Once sources have been verified this new information is added to the database.  This has filled gaps and enhanced the Dictionary beyond all expectations. It is no surprise that the Dictionary has been described by Marcus Binney as the world’s most ambitious online Dictionary.