Architect and artist

Born: May 5, 1929;

Died: February 14, 2019

STEWART Hume, a noted architect and artist who co-designed the war memorial on Barra, worked on projects to build churches, factories and banks and was a founder member of the Scottish Society of Architect Artists, has died aged 89. Nan, his wife of 65 years, predeceased him by 10 days, aged 90.

Stewart Hume was born in Paisley and completed his schooling at Irvine Royal Academy after the family moved to Irvine, the town where his father had been appointed fire master. He played for the school football team and took great pleasure in recounting that he had “stuck one past” Ronnie Simpson, the future Celtic and Lisbon Lions goalkeeper.

Serving his apprenticeship as an architect in Saltcoats, he attended Glasgow School of Art and Glasgow Technical College to secure his professional qualifications.

He was a keen Scout and attained the highest accolade, King Scout. He was a spirited cyclist and, as a young man, made the journey to Applecross to help renovate the youth hostel. He travelled the 100 miles back from Fort William to Irvine in a day.

He also golfed but Granny Hume did not approve of his playing on a Sunday, so he had to leave the house with clubs hidden under various outer garments.

This competitive sportsman met Nan when he played for West Kilbride Cricket Club. He was a talented all-rounder whose “fast deliveries seemed to come off the pitch with a ‘zip’ which beat the batsmen time and again”, according to a press cutting he had kept.

Nan was one of the young women who worked in the pavilion providing tea and refreshments for the cricketers.

With a posting to Malaya imminent to undertake two years of national service with the Royal Engineers, the couple married in December, 1954. Heather, their eldest child, was eight months old before Stewart met her. The family was completed with the birth of sons Calum and Brian.

After returning from the army Stewart joined Hay, Steele & Partners in Kilmarnock, rising to become senior partner. In 1985 he decided to set up in business for himself, working from an office at the family home in Kilmaurs.

He particularly enjoyed working on smaller projects and these included the mustard factory on Arran, the cheese factory on Islay, St Kentigern’s Church in Kilmarnock, the Relief Church in Irvine, the Clydesdale Bank at the Foregate in Kilmarnock and Eastwood and Mearns Civic Centre.

Stewart and his good friend Dugald Cameron, former director of Glasgow School of Art, entered a competition to design the Barra war memorial. They won and the memorial was funded by public subscription and inaugurated in 1993.

Professor Cameron recalled: “I had the pleasure of being asked to do decorative design work for Stewart over the years but it was our collaboration on the design for the Barra and Vatersay war memorial that gave us most satisfaction.

“Stewart was, of course, the project manager. As in all of his work, he was meticulous and professional.

“It was a wholly enjoyable experience for me in a new field and the trip out to the famous beach air strip was truly memorable. The ‘lunch’ and presentation finally got under way about 6pm and, yes, we had a wee refreshment or maybe two or …

“Stewart and Nan were lovely people and so good to know.”

Stewart was a keen sailor and the family enjoyed many memorable holidays cruising off the west coast of Scotland. After some 30 years of sailing, Stewart parted company with his final boat but he did not ever lose interest in sailing or the sea.

He always had a sketch book to hand and he was prolific in the medium of water colour, which he particularly enjoyed practising. His advice to fellow painters was always to be free and bold with colour. He was an active member of the Scottish Society of Artists, founded in 1988, and worked tirelessly to secure gallery space for its annual exhibitions. He exhibited his work each year.

He supported the Save the Children charity and met Princess Anne, a patron of the charity, when one of his works was awarded best picture at the annual exhibition at Rozelle House in Ayr.

He produced his own Christmas cards, which were eagerly anticipated by the family as the festive season approached.

After Stewart retired, he and Nan moved to Fairlie and, with their health failing, they settled in care homes in Largs and Dundonald respectively.

Calum fondly remembered a father who lived by the watchwords: “If you are going to do something then do it properly.”

Stewart Hume is survived by his sister Catherine; Heather and her husband Steve; Brian and his wife Gail; Calum and partner Armie; grandchildren Sophie, Ewan, Rhona, Allison, James, Kate and Megan; and great grandson Nathan.

BARCLAY MCBAIN