Scotland's Brick and Tile Manufacturing Industry

Binny Brickworks, Ecclesmachan, West Lothian.

1844 – West Lothian Courier dated 03/09/1898) – An article about Broxburn Public School with reference as follows:-“He had been in conversation lately with Mr Thomas Hislop, who told him that when he came here in 1844 and was then appointed parochial or parish schoolmaster, the average attendance at the school was from 80 to 100. The staple industries of the place then were a brickwork, Binny Quarries, and agriculture. Later on in the “sixties,’ the shale industry was started by Mr Robert Bell, and this industry became bigger every year until in 1876 he formed a combination for extending the shale industry in Broxburn …

11/02/1861 – The Scotsman – Binny Brickworks to let. Mr Farrie at the works will point out the quarry and brickwork.

10/06/1863 – North British Agriculturist – Bankrupts. Thomas Farrie, quarrier and brick manufacturer at East Binny Quarry, in the county of Linlithgow, as an individual, and one of the partners of the late firm of T. & R. Farrie, sometimes carrying on the business as contractors in Leith, thereafter as quarriers and brick manufacturers at East Binny Quarry aforesaid. Creditors meet in Messrs Dowells and Lyon’s Rooms, 18 George Street, Edinburgh, on Monday, 15th June, at two o’clock.

1865 – 1866 – Thomas Farrie, brickmaker, Uphall, Edinburgh.

01/07/1890 – The Scotsman – Joint-stock companies in Scotland – John McKnight & Co, Binny Quarry, Uphall, Linlithgowshire to acquire the business of McKnight and Marshall, Cardross Brickworks and Binny Brickworks and Quarry. Capital £12,000 in 12,000 shares of £1.

18/04/1891 – Glasgow Herald – Wanted immediately – second hand C.I pit rails and 250 yards 3″ C.I piping. Apply Binny Brickworks, Uphall.

Below – 31/10/1891 – Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser – Court case against Binny Brick Manufacturers, Uphall.

22/12/1891 – Glasgow Herald – Montgomerie v John McKnight and Co Limited – Daniel Montgomerie, 16 Stankard’s Row, Uphall sued John McKnight & Co., Limited, Binny Quarry, Uphall. Pursuer sued for £560, or £78 under the Employers Liability Act, for the death of his daughter Mary Jane, who entered the defender’s employment in Cardross Brickworks, near Uphall, On 25th May last, and was accidentally killed on 2nd June. He stated that after a few days his daughter was put to work at a moulding machine her duty being to clear away the clay droppings as they fell; that her head was caught by a revolving wheel and crushed against a fixed iron shaft or beam; and that she sustained injuries of which she died a few minutes afterwards. It was averred that the machine was defective, and the mode of working it unnecessarily and unreasonably dangerous. Defenders stated that the girl, unknown to them and contrary to the terms of her engagement, exchanged places with another girl. She had no business to be there, her proper place being at the railway siding packing bricks. The wheel mentioned by the pursuer revolved very slowly, about one revolution a minute and, without great carelessness, it was impossible that anyone could have been injured by it. Without admitting liability, they tendered £50, with expenses. The evidence had not concluded when the court rose for the day.

Below – 02/01/1892 – Lanarkshire Upper Ward Examiner – Judgement for the court case above. Damages of £200 awarded to the pursuer.

17/06/1892 – Glasgow Herald – Binny Quarry and Brickworks – For sale by public roup unless previously disposed of by private bargain, within Dowalss Rooms, 18 George Street, Edinburgh on 21/06/1892 at 2 o’clock. The Quarry and Brickworks of Binny and Cardross carried on by John McKnight & Company Limited now in liquidation, as follows:-

1. Binny Quarry and Brickworks. Lease having 28 years to run, together with the machinery (Bradley & Craven’s Patent), plant, quarry tools and stores. A Hoffman Kiln has recently been erected. Further reduced upset price £500.
2. Cardross Brickworks. Lease having 28 years to run, together with the machinery (Bradley & Craven’s Patent), plant and stores. Further reduced upset price £200.

The brick-making material is of excellent quality and Binny stone has long held the first place for monumental and other purposes. The purchaser will be subject to the approval of the landlords …

Below – 1895 – Binny Brickworks – there is also reference to an ‘old brickworks’ at Carledubs just south of Ecclesmachan and north of Uphall. These may have been the Cardross Brickworks. The works are not referenced on the 1854 or 1913 OS Maps.

Below – 30/11/1895 – Sale of Binny Brickworks – John Mcknight and Son instruct the sale.

Below – 07/04/1900 – Binny Quarry and Brickwork to let.