Background
He was born in Ancrum, Roxburghshire the son of a carrier.
He was born in Ancrum, Roxburghshire the son of a carrier.
He had a very distinctive style, typified by square plans, concealed roofs, crenellated walls and square corner towers. All may be said to derive from the earlier local example of Melville Castle by James Playfair. After training as a joiner he moved to cabinet design, working then in London, and appears to have then trained as an architect before returning to Scotland to work in Edinburgh.
Following James"s death in 1810, Archibald ran the company on his own.
lieutenant was later taken over by Archibald"s son, Archibald Elliot Junior. He contributed to many significant buildings and streets in Edinburgh, including Street Paul"s and Street George"s Church, Rutland Square, the Regent Bridge, Waterloo Place and Calton Prison (now demolished).
He was also involved with work on many country houses in Scotland, including Blair Castle and Taymouth Castle in Perthshire, Loudoun Castle in Ayrshire, and Stobo Castle in Peeblesshire. Archibald"s sons, Archibald Elliot (died 1843) and Alexander Elliot, ran a practice in London.
Archibald inherited his father"s practice on his death.