Maclaren Sons & Soutar originated as J. Maclaren & Son, an architectural partnership formed by James Maclaren (1829-1893) and his son, George Gordon Maclaren (1856-1899) in Dundee in 1879. Following the death of James MacLaren in 1893, another son, John Turnbull Maclaren (1864-1948), returned from the USA where he had been working. and joined his brother as a partner in the practice which was renamed J. Maclaren & Sons. After the death of George Gordon Maclaren in 1899, John Turnbull Maclaren continued the business alone until 1908 when he took Charles Geddes Soutar (1878-1952) into partnership as Maclaren, Sons & Soutar. The practice had an office at 10 Reform Street, Scotland.
In 1920 the practice merged with J & F Salmond, a firm of civil engineers, land surveyors and architects based in Dundee, becoming Maclaren Soutar Salmond.
The practice mainly worked on commissions in Dundee and nearby Angus. These included the Caxton House Printing Works in Dundee (1908); South Church Halls in Angus (1909); Tighnamuirin in Angus (1909); Tillyloss in Dundee (1909); Craigiebarns in Dundee (1910); Murroes and Tealing Parish Church Hall and Library in Angus (1911); The Knoll in West Ferry, Dundee (1911); St Margaret's Manse in Barnhill, Dundee (1912); White Thorns in West Ferry, Dundee (c.1912); Broadcroft in Dundee (1913); East United Free Church Hall in Broughton Ferry, Dundee (1913); Fairmuir Special School in Fairmuir, Dundee (1913); Noranside Sanatorium in Noranside, Angus (1913); St Joseph's Roman Catholic School in Dundee (1915); offices for the Royal Insurance Company in Dundee (1919); and the Royalty Cinema in Dundee (1919).