James Smith (architect)

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James Smith (c.1645-1731), was a Scottish architect and politician.

Born in Tarbet, Smith initially trained in Italy as a priest. He took up politics, becoming a burgess of Edinburgh, and later a Member of Parliament for Forres.

As an architect, he worked for a time with his father-in-law, King's Master-mason Robert Mylne. With Mylne he worked on Caroline Park in Edinburgh (1685), and Drumlanrig Castle (1680s). Best known for his Palladian style mansions, Smith's own works include Hamilton Palace (1695), and the nearby estate office, now the Low Parks Museum, Dalkeith House (1710), and Yester House (1715), both in Lothian. Other buildings include the Kirk of the Canongate in Edinburgh (1690), as well as his own home Newhailes, near Musselburgh.

Smith served as Surveyor and Overseer of the King's Works, the post previously held by Sir William Bruce, and was responsible for maintaining the Royal Palace of Holyrood House in Edinburgh.