James Blaikie

James Blaikie was born in 1786, studied law, and was admitted a member of the Society of Advocates in Aberdeen in 1808. Provost Blaikie took a great interest in the rebuilding of Marischal College, and it was principally through his exertions and the aid of Alexander Bannerman MP, that the government were finally induced to contribute the sum necessary to make the scheme of rebuilding possible. Their efforts thus brought to a successful issue, the foundation-stone of the new buildings was to have been laid by him during the month in which he died.

Other matters which occupied the attention of the council during the three years above mentioned were the abolition of the office of public executioner; the preparation of a memorial to the Commissioners on Burghs, asking that a stipendiary magistrate be appointed and paid for by government; the demolition of the old East Church, built in the latter quarter of the fifteenth century, and the erection of the present structure. It will be observed that the duration of the office of provost was, under the Royal Burghs (Scotland) Act 1833, altered from two to three years.

He married Jane Garden, a daughter of William Garden, Braco Park, by his wife, Eliza Logie, and had issue-

John, advocate in Aberdeen, and afterwards of Craigiebuckler

William Garden Blaikie, D.D., LL.D., Professor of Apologetics and Pastoral Theology in New College, Edinburgh, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Free Church in 1895.

Anthony Adrian, advocate in Aberdeen, married, 6 July 1852, his cousin, Helen Blaikie, and died in Natal, South Africa, 18 November 1871

Elizabeth, married in 1840 to Alexander Dyce Davidson, minister of the West Church of S. Nicholas but died young as did their child.

Mrs. Blaikie died on 2 April 1857, in her sixty-third year.