Scotland's Brick and Tile Manufacturing Industry

Canmore

Early 1850’s – Early in the ‘fifties (1850’s) the deceased, James Dougal, joined with his brother, Mr John Dougal and others in a lease of Craigend Brickworks, south of Polmont Station, which J & J Dougall carried on successfully of 19 years.

1851 – Craigend Brickworks were erected possibly erected by James Dougal.

11/12/1851 – Falkirk Herald – To be let – The Craigend Brick and Tile Works, for a term of years as may be agreed upon. The seams of fire and common clays are of first-rate quality and the Works being in good going order, with an excellent demand, afford a very favourable entry to an enterprising tenant. Craigend Brick and Tile Work are situated near Polmont, a very short distance from a branch of the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway and the Union Canal. Application to be made at Craigend House by Linlithgow.

10/12/1856 – Glasgow Herald – Fire Clay to let. The fire clay in a portion of the lands of Craigendmuir in the Barony Parish. The clay has been ascertained by for bores to extend under 15 or 20 acres and consists of 2 seams. one 8 feet or thereby in thickness and the other varying from 8 to 31 feet. It is apparently the same clay that is presently worked at Garnkirk and at Heathfield Clay Works – the quality of which is well known. The clay field is intersected by the Caledonian Railway and the clay is within a moderate distance from the surface, and may be worked easily and cheaply … (Note SBH – I am uncertain if this information relates to Craigend Brick and Tile Works but I have recorded it here meantime to ensure it is not missed)

21/11/1859 – Caledonian Mercury – To builders and others – Peter Ferguson, Agent for Craigend Brickwork. Depot – 69 Fountainbridge, Edinburgh. Has always on hand a large stock of roofing tiles and brick of all kinds, at the following prices:-

26/06/1862 – Falkirk Herald – Craigend Brick and Tile Work for sale. There will be exposed for sale by public roup (if not previously disposed of by private bargain), within Messrs Cay & Black’s rooms, 65 George Street, Edinburgh on Wednesday the 9th day of July 1862, at 2 o’clock afternoon. The Craigend Brick and Tile Work, situated on the land of Hirst, in the Parish of Muiravonside, and County of Stirling, with upwards of 12 acres of land, and with the dwelling-house, occupied by the present tenant of the work, four workmen’s houses, a six-stalled stable, grainhouse, and office, &c.; and also all machinery requisite (including a steam-engine of about 25 horsepower) for grinding and manufacturing fire and common clays. Upset price, £3000.

The land contains both fire and common clay of the first quality, and the clay is nearly inexhaustible. The work is at present let to good tenants at the rent of £156. The lease expires at Martinmas 1870, when a considerable increase of rent may be obtained, as the articles manufactured at this work are in high repute throughout the country. The rent of the land is about £4 10s. Further particulars may be had on application to Mr Learmonth McKenzie, at Craigend House; to Messrs Russel & Aitken, Writers, Falkirk; or to Messrs Gibson-Craig, Dalziel, & Brodies, W.S., Edinburgh, who are in possession of a plan and of inventory of the machinery.

20/10/1862 – Glasgow Herald – Adjourned sale of Craigend brick and tile works will take place on 22/10/1862. Upset price further reduced.

25/10/1862 – Dundee Advertiser – The Craigend Brick and Tile Works, Muiravonside, Stirlingshire were sold on Wednesday for £2000.

24/04/1867 – North British Agriculturist – Craigend bricks. A regular supply of these celebrated bricks is always on hand at Lochrin Wharf, Union Canal, Edinburgh. Apply to James McKelvie, agent.

Below – 09/06/1870 – Falkirk Herald – Craigend Brick and Tile Works to let. Currently occupied by Messers Dougall.

20/10/1870 – Falkirk Herald – Deaths. At Craigend Brickworks by Falkirk on 19th inst, aged 20, William, son of Mr John Dougal.

Below – 30/03/1871 – Falkirk Herald – Craigend Brickworks. New leaseholders J & T Hay.

27/07/1881 – Glasgow Herald – Pipemaker wanted. To a man who can set his own kilns, good wages will be given. Apply J. & A. Reid, Craigend Brickworks, Redding, Polmont.

20/11/1889 – Falkirk Herald – To Let Craigend Brickworks (well known) near Polmont Station. Apply Thomas White, 114 George Street, Edinburgh.

16/04/1890 – Falkirk Herald – To Let Craigend Brickworks (well known) near Polmont Station. Apply Thomas White, 114 George Street, Edinburgh.

15/11/1890 – The Scotsman – Craigend Brickworks to let near Polmont Station. Apply Thomas White, 114 George Street, Edinburgh.

1896 – Shows the Works as disused.

02/04/1898 – Linlithgowshire Gazette – Pencillings of the week by the man on the wing … I hear that the brickwork at Muiravonside is in the course of reconstruction and that operations are in the hands of a Glasgow firm …

15/07/1911 – Falkirk Herald – Stirling County Council meeting … The condition of a number of houses throughout the district, especially the houses composing the village of Standburn, Drumbowie Row, and at Old Brick Work having been brought under notice, an inspection of the houses was made and the proprietors were called upon to put them into a proper condition. Standburn Rows now adopted the daily removal system of the ashpit refuse. Drumbowie Row houses have been emptied by the owners, and improvements are to be carried out at Craigend Old Brick Works houses …

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The following family information is supplied by Rose Williams.