Duncan Menzies (architect)


Duncan Menzies 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

He was born on 22 July 1837 the son of Duncan Menzies a spirit dealer at 28 Canal Street in southwest Edinburgh. 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. 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.
In late life he lived at 23 Upper Grove Place in south-west Edinburgh.
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 .

Known Works