John Macintosh

History

John Macintosh (b. 1853) was born in 1853 at Strath Cottage, located midway between Galston and Newmilnes, Scotland, areas that later became known for the lace curtain industry.

From an early age, Macintosh developed a strong interest in the fine arts and music, particularly the violin, after hearing a relative play Scottish reels and strathspeys.

He is described as a gentleman amateur who crafted instruments primarily out of a deep affection for the violin.

According to John Dilworth, Macintosh was active around 1924 in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Beyond violin making, Mr. Macintosh also dedicated time to writing on antiquity and related subjects, and he published one or two volumes of poetry.

Craft

• Instrument Making: John Macintosh produced several violins of the orthodox type.
• Experimentation: He extensively experimented to understand the relationship between form and sound in violins.
• Decoration: Some of his violins feature intricate decorations on the back, including portraits of celebrities and landscape sceneries rendered in oil colours.
• Notable Instruments: One unique violin was crafted entirely from oak sourced from the roof of the old castle at Mauchline, believed to be the house where Robert Burns married his "Bonnie Jean." This instrument was later presented to and accepted by the Burns Memorial Museum at Mauchline as a significant relic. Another violin bears a portrait of Sir Walter Scott and includes a ditty inscribed on its interior back: "Hey diddle, diddle, Who made this fiddle? I know, I know, Hey diddle, diddle, here is the riddle — Where did the wood of this fiddle grow?" A decorated violin named "Sir Lewis Morris," made on original lines, is noted for its large, round, and fluid tone.
• Specialization: According to John Dilworth, Macintosh specialized in crafting copies of instruments by J. B. Guadagnini.
• Varnish: Sources contain conflicting information regarding the varnish used by Macintosh. William Meredith Morris states he used Whitelaw's varnish, predominantly in a dark amber colour, while John Dilworth notes he used commercial varnish made by F. S. Angell of Bristol.

Legacy

• Museum Collection: A violin crafted by John Macintosh from oak sourced from Mauchline Castle was presented to and accepted by the Burns Memorial Museum, recognizing its historical and cultural significance.
• Literary Works: He published one or two volumes of poetry, in addition to writing extensively on antiquity and related subjects.

Further Information

• Birthplace: John Macintosh was born at Strath Cottage, situated between Galston and Newmilnes, Scotland.
• Working Location: According to John Dilworth, he worked in Edinburgh, Scotland, around 1924.
• Other Interests: He was also a writer, focusing on antiquity and kindred subjects.

Summary

John Macintosh (b. 1853) was a Scottish gentleman amateur violin maker, born in Strath Cottage, Galston/Newmilnes, and active in Edinburgh around 1924. He was known for his experimental approach to violin construction and for decorating his instruments with oil paintings. A notable work includes a violin made from Mauchline Castle oak, now housed in the Burns Memorial Museum. He also specialized in J. B. Guadagnini copies and used varnish, though sources conflict on its specific origin (Whitelaw's or F. S. Angell's). Macintosh was also a published poet and writer on antiquity.