th 1839 saw the birth of Thomas Ross, he became best known for the partnership of MacGibbon and Ross, who wrote comprehensive multi-volume books about Scotland's castles and churches.
Thomas Ross was born at Errol Perthshire, the son of a tenant farmer. He moved to Glasgow in 1885 to become an apprentice architect. In 1862, Ross was employed as an assistant to architect David MacGibbon, and in 1872 they went into partnership. As well as working on their architectural commissions, MacGibbon and Ross undertook an ambitious project travelling across Scotland, mainly by train or bike, sketching and gathering information about the country’s architectural heritage.
This resulted in the five volume work “Castellated and Domestic Architecture of Scotland and the three volumes of “The Ecclesiastical Architecture of Scotland” Both series remain key texts for Scottish architecture.
Ross’s influence increased when he became a founder member of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCHAMS) in 1908. He received an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from Edinburgh University in 1910.
Alfred MacGibbon (David’s son), fell ill in 1914 and dissolved the partnership. Ross continued to undertake small jobs that interested him from his home in Saxe-Coburg Place. His main occupation continued to be Commission business and it was while studying Rossend Castle, Inverkeithing that he fell foul of wartime restrictions when he was arrested and later fined 5 shillings for “sketching in a prohibited area”.
Ross continued to work as an architect until 1916 making surveys and sketches of old buildings. In 1918, Ross became Professor of Antiquities at the Royal Edinburgh Academy. He died in 1930 aged 91.
After his death, his son James MacLaren Ross destroyed most of the practice papers but those relating to the books and to Commission business were given to the National Library. Drawings and paintings relating to Edinburgh, Scotland and England were given to Edinburgh Central Library.
Do any search for Scottish castles and amongst the results you are certain to find the sketches of MacGibbon and Ross. Check out the link below for more of those drawings.
