John Milne

Background

He was born in Fettercairn in the north of Scotland, the son of a joiner and builder.

Education

He was apprenticed to John Henderson, an architect in Edinburgh, probably around 1838.

Career

He was described as an ‘’inventive neo-Jacobean and Scots Baronial designer’’. He exhibited works at the Royal Scottish Academy in the 1860s. He was also an inventor of a pyro-pneumatic grate: a heating system for churches.

He self-financed several improvement schemes to the town of Street Andrews

He then transferred to the offices of David Bryce, probably around 1845, acting as Clerk of Works on Clatto House, near Street Andrews.

Milne settled in Street Andrews and stayed there for the remainder of his life, operating from an office at 81 Market Street. Thereafter many of his commissions came from the Free Church.

In the mid 19th century he did several extension schemes for Leith Docks in combination with R & R Dickson. When the council voted not to pay for the schemes he decided to pay for them himself.

His project at the West Sands reclaimed twelve and a half acres of land for use as a public park.

This was timed such as to be labelled as Street Andrews Jubilee Scheme, marking Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. Over and above designing buildings, Milne also designed the graves of two of his fellow Town Councillors in Street Andrews: Provost John Paterson and Baillie Ireland. Both are in the New Cemetery in Street Andrews (south-east of the cathedral).

John Milne died in Street Andrews in May 1904.

Membership

He was an elected member of the Town Council in Street Andrews and promoted several improvement schemes including extension of the Links Embankment and culverting of the old mill lade.

Connections

Uncle:

Robert Milne