Thurso architectural firm Sinclair Macdonald & Son was chosen to oversee the atomic housing project.  Architect Barbaretus Sinclair Macdonald (generally known simply as Sinclair Macdonald) started the practice in Thurso in 1889. Sinclair Macdonald’s son, Hugh Sinclair Macdonald, followed in his father’s footsteps. Born on 18th June 1903, he commenced his apprenticeship in his father’s office in October 1921. He left to continue his studies in Edinburgh and Europe but soon returned to Thurso to join his father in his practice, becoming partner in 1931. After his father’s death in 1936, Hugh continued as senior partner.
Hugh Sinclair Macdonald, along with Thurso’s town clerk, pushed the UKAEA to be clear on how many workers would need to be housed from the beginning, so development could be well planned. Sinclair Macdonald was responsible for site layout and project managing the construction work. He was also the liaison between the UKAEA and the local authority.
John Lawes was a member of the Housing Committee. In the following excerpt he describes the rules surrounding the acquisition of an atomic house.
John Lawes discussing Thurso Housing Committee, recorded 27th Apr 2016
Below are architectural plans for the hierarchy of different house types that were to be built. Houses were allocated according to staff grade; with the best quality houses going to management, but streets contained a mix of the different types of houses to avoid enclaves of particular grades. It was hoped this would encourage communities to evolve naturally. The most senior managers were housed away from the estates in Thurso, in Scrabster and Castletown.
Type A - Scientific Staff Plan and Elevation, BT/6/2/1/83
Type A - UKAEA Traditional Houses, BT/6/2/1/88
Type B - UKAEA Traditional Houses, BBT/6/2/1/88
Type C - UKAEA Traditional Houses, BT/6/2/1/88
Type D - Traditional Houses Type D, BT/6/2/1/88
UKAEA non- traditional houses floor plan, BT/6/2/1/80
UKAEA non traditional houses elevation, BT/6/2/1/80
Mount Vernon 1, BT/6/2/1/250
Mount Vernon 2, BT/6/2/1/250
Mount Vernon 3, BT/6/2/1/250
Mount Vernon 4, BT/6/2/1/250
Three story block of flats, CC/9/1/3/4/2/14
Three story block of flats plan, BT/6/2/1/131
