Edinburgh Architecture : St. David's Episcopal Church, Boswall Parkway, Pilton

Image: © Richard West Taken: 15 Jan 2015

Although most references give the location as Boswall Parkway, this church, designed by the architect Harold Ogle Tarbolton in 1939, is actually accessed from Royston Mains Place, from where this photograph was taken. The on-line Dictionary of Scottish Architects is the place to go for more information about "Tarrybreeks" Tarbolton. Impress your friends and relations with nuggets of knowledge such as these: In late 1932 Tarbolton merged his practice with that of Sir Matthew Montgomerie Ochterlony, Bt, a friend from his work with Kinross. Tarbolton was elected ARSA in 1931 and RSA in 1934, Ochterlony ARSA in 1939. In 1938 Tarbolton succeeded Sir George Washington Browne as a Royal Fine Art Commissioner, serving for ten years. He was also a member of the Amenity Committee which considered the work carried out under the Galloway Water Power Act of 1929. He acted as advisory architect and designed the housing schemes. This appointment led to him becoming an advisory architect to the North of Scotland Hydro Electric Board in 1944, and to commissions for the power stations at Loch Sloy and Pitlochry on the Tummel-Garry scheme. He also held the positions of consulting architect to the Deans and Chapters of St Ninian's Cathedral Perth and of Oban Cathedral. Tarbolton died of cerebral thrombosis at 3 East Castle Road, Edinburgh on 31 July 1947 while these schemes were still under construction. He was a widower. The practice continued under the existing name of Tarbolton & Ochterlony. Source : Dictionary of Scottish Architects (on-line resource) Ah, Tarbolton and Ochterlony - what a name! It sounds like the name of a bygone light railway (echoes of the old Campbeltown and Machrihanish) or a remote railway station in rural Ayrshire nostalgically remembered by Sir John Betjeman.

Images are licensed for reuse under creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0