Master of Work to the Crown of Scotland

[1] The emergence of the position reflected a shift in responsibility from the masons, or administrators in holy orders, to designers with little hands-on knowledge of stonemasonry.

Earlier holders of the office were often courtiers: James Hamilton of Finnart was the king's kinsman; John Scrymgeour was a heraldic expert; while William Schaw, an administrator, was a key figure in the development of Freemasonry, itself a 'craft' having little to do with building.

During the reign of James V there was also a Principal Master Wright or carpenter, John Drummond of Milnab, and as well as building works he was concerned with the artillery and its logistics.

In 1808 Robert Reid was named Architect and Surveyor to the King in Scotland, and he became Master of Works following the death of James Brodie in 1824.

[3] The accounts, written the Scots Language, record the names of structures and rooms, the components of doors and windows, joinery, and roofs, detail supplies including pigments, glue, and stone, and name craftsmen including the glazier Thomas Peebles,[4] the mason Nicholas Roy,[5] and the carver and metal worker Andrew Mansioun.