Papers of James Fenton Wyness, architect and historian, Aberdeen, Scotland
551 725
Description Papers of James Fenton Wyness, architect and historian, Aberdeen, Scotland
Date 1880 to 1964
Collection Papers of James Fenton Wyness, architect and historian, Aberdeen, Scotland
Catalogue Number 551 725
Category All Other
Scope and Content A collection of measured drawings by Fenton Wyness (c1925) and George Watt (1883-1886), including Crathes Castle, Craigievar Castle, Gight Castle, House of Schivas, Fortrose Cathedral, Beauly Priory, Elgin Cathedral, Kinloss Abbey etc. (Jubilee Guide, p. 74) Also, photographs of the House of Schivas, and of alterations and sculpture from the 1937 works there.
Archive History The collection of measured drawings of castles was purchased by RCAHMS and accessioned as Acc No 1970/14.
Access Conditions Open, but note that access may be subject to conservation requirements. Please contact the archive to confirm access in advance of a visit.
Administrative History James Fenton Wyness, architect and historian (1903-74). Born in Aberdeen, Wyness was articled to Lord Aberdeen's estate architect, before transferring to Brown and Watt in either 1924 or 1925. Having completed his studies at Aberdeen School of Architecture, he became an assistant in the office of Robert Leslie Rollo, and qualified in 1927. After a period as a lecturer in the School of Architecture he set up in independent practice in 1929, specialising in conservation projects such as House of Schivas and Friendville and in memorials. Wyness was the author of several popular histories and guides, relating mostly to the North-East, including: A Buchan Tower-House: the Story of the House of Schivas (1928); Craigievar Castle (1934); A Scottish Quaker of the 17th Century (1941); Aberdeen: Phases of the City with Brief Historical Notes (1942); Deeside, Donside, Buchan (all 1942); Mediaeval Elgin: Phases of the Town and Surrounding Country with Brief Historical Notes (1942); Book of Legends: Tales of the North-East of Scotland (1942); Deeside: Phases of the Valley with Brief Historical Notes (1943); Eilean Donnain (1944); Kalendar of Saints: Early Christian Missionaries of the North-East (1945); City by the Grey North Sea (1965); Royal Valley: the Story of the Aberdeenshire Dee (1968); Legends of North-East Scotland (1970); Aberdeen: Century of Change (1971). He wrote many articles, including numerous for the Deeside Field, of which he was long editor, and for the magazine The Leopard, which were then published in collected form as Spots from the Leopard (1971), and More Spots from the Leopard (1973). Wyness retired from practice in 1964, and died in Aberdeen in 1974. For further details see the Dictionary of Scottish Architects.
Accruals No accruals are anticipated.
Accession Number 1970/14
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