Elected ARSA: 15 March 1939
Sir Matthew Ochterlony died on the 4th October after a short illness. He was the second son of Sir David Ferguson Ochterlony of Ochterlony, Bt., and born at Juniper Green in 1880. He was educated at the Institution, Edinburgh, and privately.
He studied at the Edinburgh School of Art and entered into apprenticeship with John Kinross, R.S.A. Thereafter he assisted A. Lorne Campbell, F.R.I.B.A., until 1916, when he joined the Army as a private in the R.A.S.C. and served until May 1919. After demobilization he was assistant to F.E.B. Blanc and to Mr. Dick Peddie.
About 1927 he commenced business for himself and for several years was associated with William Davidson, F.R.I.B.A. Subsequently he entered into partnership with H.O. Tarbolton, R.S.A. Among the buildings emanating from the connection where: - The Commercial Bank of Scotland ; the Old Sailor's Ark ; St. Salvador's Episcopal Church ; St. David's Episcopal Mission Hall, all in Edinburgh ; St. Cuthbert's, Colinton ; and St. Ninian's Cathedral, Perth.
In addition to his profession as an Architect, Sir Matthew was a skilled craftsman in metal, wood, and stained-glass. In this last he worked in collaboration with his artist friend, A. W. Turnbull, and examples may be seen in St. Mark's, Portobello ; St. Martin's, Tynecastle, Edinburgh ; and St. Cuthbert's, Colinton.
He was elected an Associate of the Academy in 1939, and that same year he was elected a member of the Institute of British Engineers.
Sir Matthew succeeded as 4th Baronet of Ochterlony on the death of his father in 1931, and was a member of the Standing Council of the Baronetage. He was twice married and is survived by his widow.
RSA Obituary, transcribed from the 1946 RSA Annual Report
