JOHN AITKEN LLD FRS FRSE 1839-1919

John Aitken photographed the derelict hull of the Charlotte Dundas before it was dismantled in 1862.

His home, Darroch House, was on the Camelon Road, on the eastern side of the Forth and Clyde canal, close to lock number 9 where he photographed the remains of the Charlotte Dundas. ^[2] Darroch House is described in the Ordnance Survey Name Book for Stirlingshire as "A neat mansion" of two storeys with slated roof and in good repair. ^[3]

John Aitken of Darroch was the fourth son of Henry Aitken, a partner of Russel and Aitken, a Falkirk firm of solicitors. He had trained as a marine engineer. He was a member of the Scottish Society of Arts, where he delivered papers on such diverse subjects as air quality, ocean currents and the perception of colour. ^[4] Described as a "climatologist", he conducted experiments on air-borne particles and on the condensation of atmospheric water vapour.^[5] Glasgow University conferred on him the honorary degree of LLD on the recommendation of Lord Kelvin.

^[1] Falkirk Archives P01201; reproduced in the Falkirk Herald 22 November 1919 (image reversed)

^[2] Reported in the Stirling Observer 7 May 1863 page 5

^[3] Ordnance Survey name book Stirlingshire 1858-1861 OS1/32/11/82

^[4] Falkirk Herald 1 December 1870 page 4

^[5] Obituaries: The Scotsman 15 November 1919 page 8; Evening Mail 17 November 1919 page 8; Falkirk Herald 22 November 1919 page 5