This directory, which has appeared for many years under various titles, will be well known to libraries with architectural leanings. It allows readers to search for Scottish architects in several ways:
By geographical location. Firms are listed in sections corresponding to broad regions of Scotland, which are further broken down into the areas of local councils (it is a peculiarity of Scotland that following the recent reforms, local government areas no longer have a generic name like “county”). For each firm, there are listed the address and telephone number, names of architects, numbers of staff, and special notes such as any prizes awarded to the firm;.
By the name of the firm. An index is provided, but unfortunately it is not at the back of the book, which is occupied by the index of advertisers;
By the name of the architect, listed in another index;
By the type of project undertaken. An ingenious system of Skills Charts tabulates the names of firms in each region against a series of skills available (such as lighting or fire prevention) and a list of the types of buildings in which the firm has experience (like schools or libraries).
Among the introductory matter is a useful section giving advice to those about to employ an architect (including a table of fees). The appendices include lists of schools of architecture in Scotland; offices of architects in local government; and addresses of relevant Scottish government departments and public bodies.
The RIAS Directory must be an essential reference book for libraries with an interest in current Scottish architecture. No doubt those in Scotland have it already, but this review may perhaps serve to bring it to the attention of libraries elsewhere.
