Old Photographs Caird Hall Dundee Scotland

Old photograph of people outside the Caird Hall in Dundee, Scotland. Caird Hall was built between 1914 and 1923 and is named after its benefactor, jute baron James Key Caird. The foundation stone was laid by King George V and Queen Mary on 10th July 1914. James Caird was born in Dundee, and was the son of Edward Caird, born 1806, died 1889, who had founded the firm of Caird Dundee Ltd in 1832. The business was originally based in a 12 loom shed at Ashtown Works, The elder Caird was one of the first textile manufacturers to weave cloth composed of jute warp and weft. As the use of jute became increasingly popular, the Caird business expanded and thrived. In 1873, Caird married Sophy Gray, born 1843, died 1882, sister-in-law of the painter John Everett Millais. Her mental health was poor and Caird appears to have been rather neglectful towards her. They had one daughter, Beatrix Ada. His wife died at the age of 38 in 1882, possibly as a result of her long standing battle with anorexia. The couple's daughter died in 1888 at the age of 14. After the death of his closest family, Caird increasingly devoted himself to philanthropic causes. Caird died at his Perthshire estate, Belmont Castle near Meigle, which he had purchased after the death of its previous owner Sir Henry Campbell Bannerman. The baronetcy became extinct upon his death. He is buried with his father in Dean Cemetery in Edinburgh just west of the central roundel. Given his huge wealth the stone is extremely modest.

All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.

View the most recent Tour Scotland photographs.