Career
A 2002 history of Scottish architecture remarks, "His approach was one of relentless surgery or concealment.". His most notable works are Killin and Ardeonaig Church, Stirlingshire (1744). Kilmahew Castle, Argyll and Bute (attributed, 1744).
Archerfield House, East Lothian (1745).
Wardhouse (Gordonhall), Insch, Aberdeenshire (1757). And Campbeltown Town House, Argyll and Bute (1758-1760).
Several of these are listed buildings. His date and place of birth are not known.
In his will, he appears as John Douglas of Pinkerton, late architect in Leith, who died on 20 June 1778.
The Edinburgh Recorder (records of the Edinburgh Friendly Fire Insurance Company, which began in 1720 as a loose-knit association of Edinburgh property owners for mutual financial protection against loss by fire), shows that he owned properties in High Street North at Fleshmarket Close East (Thomson’s Close) (records 2754-2757) and at Old Provost Close, East Head (record 2717). John Douglas designed and renovated several country houses during the middle of the 18th century. He was considered an efficient designer and many of his projects are characterised by a horizontal hierarchy which is signposted by a central projecting body (for example, Archerfield House and Campbeltown Town House).
This material has been further analysed, to reveal more about his style in both executed and unexecuted designs (Archerfield House, Galloway House, Finlaystone House, and two designs for Blair Castle ).
A book by Howard Colvin lists several of his projects, but some of the facts are incorrect (for example, Douglas was indeed responsible for the disastrous repair of Holyrood Abbey Church in 1760 and the dispute over non-payment of the rest of his fees was resolved only after his death). A map of the buildings on which he worked shows their distribution across Scotland.
Freeland House, Forgandenny, Perth and Kinross (1733)
Traquair House (1733-1738)
Quarrell House, Stirlingshire (1735-1736). Douglas collaborated with James Gibbs in the reform of the house
Murthly Castle (1735).
Entrance block. Ardmaddy Castle (1737).
Attributed
Lochnell House (1737-1739)
Abercairny House, Perth and Kinross (1737-1738). Design for improvements
Galloway House, Garlieston, Dumfries and Galloway (1740). Unexecuted design
Glasserton House, Dumfries and Galloway (1740-1741).
Unexecuted design
Arbroath Harbour (1741).
Advised on how to alleviate silting
Lochmaben Town Hall, Dumfries and Galloway (1743). Design of a steeple
Taymouth Castle (Balloch Castle), Perth and Kinross (1743-1750).
Work on the new sash windows, dining room and new entry to the house
Amulree and Strathbraan Parish Church, Perth and Kinross (1743-1752)
Killin and Ardeonaig Parish Church (1744)
Kilmahew Castle (1744). Attributed. A ruin
Archerfield House (1745)
Fullarton House, South Ayrshire (1745).
Attributed
Finlaystone House, Renfewshire (1746-1747)
Blair Castle (1748-1756).
Unexecuted design for remodelling the castle in the Palladian style
Edmonstone House, (1744-1749)
Dysart, Hot Pot Wynd, Carmelite Monastery (1748). Unexecuted design
Street Salvator’s College (1754-1758). University halls of residence (demolished)
Wardhouse (Gordonhall), Aberdeenshire (1757)
Holyrood Abbey Church, Edinburgh (1758-1760).
Replacement of roof timber truss with diaphragm walls.
Collapsed 2 December 1768
Campbeltown Town House (1758-1760)
Dalhousie Castle, Midlothian (1770s)
Largo House. Attributed.