James (Gillespie) Graham: An architect born in Dunblane in the County of Perthshire in 1776. Of note are his churches – St. Mary’s RC Cathedral in Edinburgh (1813-14); St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Glasgow (1814-17); and, the Tolbooth Church in Edinburgh – collaboration with A. W. N. Pugin (1839-44). These building invoke a purer Gothic style with authentic architectural detailing. James (Gillespie) Graham also designed several country houses – Dunninald in Angus (c.1820-4); and, Murthly House in Perthshire (1829-30; demolished). In 1815, James Gillespie married an heiress, Margaret Graham of Ochill and took her surname. James (Gillespie) Graham was also a respected town planner and his Moray Estate (designed 1822) is described as “the most imaginative and successful of the Edinburgh New Town Schemes.” He died in 1835.
