Scotland's Brick and Tile Manufacturing Industry

Gargieston Tileworks were situated a mile southwest of Kilmarnock on the Troon branch of the Glasgow and South Western Railway, it was making fire brick products in 1889 when managed by Thomas Smillie. The OS map of 1911 shows a medium sized brickworks and an open quarry to the south and another to the east which was connected to the works by a mineral railway. Source The Scottish Refractory Industry 1830 – 1980

The works continued until the early 1970s. – Canmore

Were the Gargieston Brick and Tile Works also known as the Coylton Brick and Tile Works?  – Canmore

Smillie or Smellie?

25/09/1858 – Kilmarnock Weekly Post – Gargieston Tileworks. James Taylor begs to intimate that he always has on hand a supply of barrel tiles, 12, 9 and 6 inches. Flanged ditto 9 and 6 inches. Pipe ditto 4, 3 and 2 ½ inches. Paving ditto 12, 9 and 6 inches also pressed bricks for fancy cottages. The above are all of the best quality having been pressed. Gargieston Tileworks by Kilmarnock. 20/09/1858.

07/10/1864 – Edinburgh Gazette – Trustees acting under the Deed of Settlement of the late James Taylor, Tilemaker at Moorfield, in the Parish of Kilmaurs, ceased, as from the 31st day of December 1863, to have any concern in the carrying on of the deceased’s Brick and Tile Works at Gargieston and Galston, which, from and after that date, have been, and now are carried on by the subscriber, James Smith Taylor, on his own account. John Sturrock, Agent for Jas. Taylor’s Trustees.

12/04/1875 – Glasgow Herald – The Gargieston Pottery Company having erected and extensive pottery fitted with the newest appliances and plant for the manufacture of all kinds of Black, Brown, Cane and Rockingham Ware beg to intimate that they are now manufacturing the above description of goods and all orders with which they may be favoured will receive their best attention. Price list on application. W. B Robertson, Manager. Gargieston, Nr Kilmarnock April 1875.

23/09/1887 – Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald – Accident – On Friday afternoon, last week, an old man named John McGuinness., 66 years of age. residing at Cambuskeith, bad right arm severely crushed the clay mill at Gargieston Tileworks. He was conveyed in the ambulance waggon to Kilmarnock Infirmary, where his arm was amputated above the elbow. He has progressed favourably since the accident.

29/11/1889 – Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald – Ayrshire winners at the Crystal Palace Show – We notice the following prize winners at the National Crystal Palace poultry, pigeon and rabbit show held this week – Very highly commended T. Smellie Jun, Gargieston Tileworks, Kilmarnock.

1893 – Thomas Smellie, fire brick, terracotta and tile manufacturers, Craigaston, (Gargieston ?), Kilmarnock.

Below – 1895 – Gargieston Brick and Tile Works.

1901 – Directory of Clay Workers – Thomas Smillie, Gargieston Brickworks, Kilmarnock.

1903 – Thomas Smillie, Gargieston Brickworks, Kilmarnock.

Below – 1908 – Gargieston Brick and Tile Works.

Below – 1938 – Gargieston Brick and Tile Works.

1942 – Thomas Smillie, fire brick, terracotta and tile manufacturers, Gargieston.