Sir James Campbell, Lord Provost

Sir James Campbell of Stracathro (17901876) shown below, was a founder of J & W Campbell, warehousemen, and Lord Provost, 1840-1843. Campbell came to Glasgow with his brothers John and William from Lennox. James and William opened their drapery store in Saltmarket, moving to Candleriggs and then to larger baronial style premises in Ingram Street (shown below). He also commissioned Prince’s Square Shopping Centre (today) as business premises.

In 1831 Campbell was elected to the Town Council and he became Lord Provost nine years later. He contested a parliamentary seat for Glasgow as a Conservative in 1837 and 1841 without success. He was knighted in 1843.

The portrait which illustrates this sketch represents Sir James at a favourite occupation - using his compasses. He had a remarkable turn for construction, and was a good authority on all practical questions connected with the planning and erection of buildings, and especially in the alteration of old buildings to meet new requirements. It may be said that his favourite employment within doors was with his drawing-board and square. And it was characteristic of him that in his later years, when his eyesight (he suffered from cataract) no longer allowed him to use pencil or pen in the ordinary way, he found a substitute in the use of white chalk upon dark blue paper. The Provincial Grand Master of Glasgow, Archibald Alison, was installed in 1847 and named Bros. Alexander Hastie M.P. Lord Provost as DPGM, George Walker-Arnot as SPGM, Sir James Campbell, Senior Warden Past Lord Provost, William Ramsay M.A., Junior Warden, Bro. Dreghorn, Secretary, Bro. Rev. Norman MacLeod (minister of the Barony Church and statue in Cathedral Square) as Chaplain (none would go on to PGM). At the first meeting thereafter the Roll of Lodges was made up to the No.333, a total of 13 Lodges. It is interesting to note that the regalia, jewels, aprons, sashes and collars for nine Office-Bearers were ordered so probably didn’t exist before.

He continued to retain his interest in Glasgow, although having ample work to occupy him in the country. His friend, Mr. Alexander

Baird of Gartsherrie, remarked to him on his purchase of the estate, that in future his general whereabouts would be neither at Stracathro nor at Glasgow, but on the road between -and for a time the remark seemed almost to receive fulfilment. It was surprising with how much vigour and freshness he took up the different interests of town and country, and how little he seemed to feel the fatigue of frequent journeys. In his later years, however, as the infirmities of age increased, he resided almost wholly at Stracathro, where he died on 10th September, 1876, aged 87.