Alexander Riddoch

Alexander Riddoch DL (1 September 1745 – 9 December 1822) was a Scottish merchant who served eight non-consecutive terms as Provost of Dundee.

In his role in Dundee he failed in his hope to create a neo-classical town in the manner of Edinburgh but nevertheless did much to change its cityscape and history.

He was born at Cultybraggan Farm just south of Comrie and west of Crieff in Perthshire on 1 September 1745, the son of John Riddoch and his wife Isobel Dow.

Dundee operated a plan which held elections for local officials every two years, but did not allow a provost to serve two consecutive terms.

Riddoch served an unequalled total of eight terms as Provost, ending in 1818, and was undoubtedly one of Dundee's most popular and noteworthy politicians.

[3] In 1790 he commissioned the town architect Samuel Bell to create Nethergate House, a fine villa in central Dundee.

[4] In Dundee he had a close relationship with George Dempster MP from whom it is said he acquired a rather cavalier attitude to finances and sadly was latterly accused of taking financial advantage of his position, despite clear evidence that he was more than happy to support the town with his own monies.

[6] From at least 1793 he invested in production of sailcloth, partnered with Thomas Webster of Hawkhill and Alexander Strachan (in rivalry to Mr Graham of Fintry).

These radicals further divided the views of the city and accused Riddoch of not sufficiently improving the harbour to meet contemporary needs.

The widening of the Nethergate met opposition amongst the wealthier owners who asked for the Sheriff to mitigate the poor sums offered by the council.

After some argument Thomas Telford was appointed to execute the works in preference to Stevenson, who was thought to favour using land owned by Riddoch.

[10] Riddoch stepped down as Provost (permanently) in 1819, aged 74, somewhat worn down by the tribulations of his later years in office and absence of public appreciation for his efforts.

His final act involved a summons to London to explain his part in the alleged corruption of the Scottish burghs, a trip he made with his erstwhile rivals, Robert Rintoul and James Saunders.