Scottish architects
Sir: I cannot speak for the RIBA, but John Harris's letter on 'ignorant architects' (23 September) would be wholly inaccurate as far as the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland is concerned. Three of our key awards are for, respectively, sketch-books, measured drawing of histor- ic buildings and studies into historic Scot- tish architecture. Over the past nine years we have been involved in the publication of a series of illustrated architectural guides to Scotland, seven volumes of which have been published; ten more are in prepara- tion, and one is due to be published next month — that of Central Glasgow. It is our intention to cover the whole of the country in 26 volumes, thus providing a detailed examination of all ages of architecture, in a heavily visual form, available at a price accessible to most members of the popula- tion. We are not only well aware that a significant number of our members are involved in the restoration of historic buildings, but we believe a centre of excellence has been built up in this field in Scotland and are pleased to give it every possible support.
Sir Robert Rowand Anderson, the architect who founded the Royal Incor- poration in 1916, held that the measure- ment of historic buildings was as essential to the knowledge of architecture as was the study of anatomy to medicine. The Incor- poration has not departed from that posi- tion.
Charles McKean
The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scot- land, 15 Rutland Square, Edinburgh
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