Master of Work to the Crown of Scotland.html



The Master of Work to the Crown of Scotland was responsible for the construction, repair and maintenance of royal palaces, castles and other crown property in Scotland. The emergence of the position reflected a shift in responsibility from the masons, to designers with little hands-on knowledge of stonemasonry. Earlier holders of the office were often courtiers; James Hamilton of Finnart was the king's kinsman, John Scrymgeour was a heraldic expert, while William Schaw was a key figure in the development of Freemasonry, itself a 'craft' having little to do with building.¹ Later holders filled a role similar to that of architects in the modern sense.

In the 15th century, a Master of Works would be appointed to oversee an individual construction project, such as a new palace, or a rebuilding of an old one. In the 16th century, during the reign of James V, the appointment of a Principal Master of Works began, with overall responsibility for all the king's works. The appointment was usually for life. Towards the end of the 17th century, the post declined in importance, and the appointments became shorter in duration. The last was appointed by George III in 1768, after which the duties of the Master of Works were absorbed into the Office of Works, which oversaw the king's works throughout Great Britain, and was later reconstituted as the Ministry of Works.

Principal Masters of Works to the Crown of Scotland

The dates given are those of their appointment.

• 1529: Sir James Nycholay
• 1537: John Scrymgeour
• 1539: Sir James Hamilton of Finnart
• 1541: Robert Robertson
• 1543: John Hamilton
• 1579: Sir Robert Drummond of Carnock
• 1583: William Schaw
• 1602: David Cunninghame of Robertland
• 1607: Sir James Murray

• 1615: Walter Murray (Assistant Master of Works)

• 1629: Sir James Murray and Anthony Alexander
• 1632: William Govane of Cardrona and James Murray Jr. (Assistant Masters of Works)

The office was unoccupied from 1668.

• 1671: Sir William Bruce of Balcaskie, Baronet (dismissed 1678)
• 1689: Sir Archibald Murray of Blackbarony, Baronet
• 1700: James Scott of Logie
• 1704: Sir Francis Scott of Thirlestane
• 1705: John Campbell of Mamor, and John Urquhart of Meldrum
• 1707: James Smith
• 1714: John Campbell of Mamor
• 1727: Sir John Anstruther of Anstruther
• 1743: George Dundas
• 1761: William Stewart of Hartwood
• 1764: James Duff, of the Middle Temple, London
• 1768: Lieutenant-Colonel James Pringle

References

Bibliography

• Mylne, R.S. "The Masters of Work to the Crown of Scotland, with the Writs of Appointment, from 1529 to 1768". Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, Volume 30. 1895-6. Retrieved on 2007-05-30.
• Glendinning, Miles & McKechnie, Aonghus, Scottish Architecture, Thames & Hudson, 2004