John Allan

John Allan (1847-1922) was a Stirling architect, creator of some strikingly idiosyncratic local buildings.

After some more conventional Victorian mansions, 55 Baker Street was the first building (1890) where Allan's originality emerged. Brick and Tudor-style black & white timbering were not typical of the local vernacular, but they weren't odd merely for the sake of odd. The brick allowed for cavity insulation to reduce damp.

(As an aside, contrary to local rumour, Stirling's Baker Street was not the inspiration for Gerry Rafferty's Baker Street.)