Scotland's Brick and Tile Manufacturing Industry

Found by Eddie McLean in the Glasgow area. Hurlford Fireclay Works, Galston Road, Hurlford, Ayrshire. . . . .

The following bricks were found in Suriname, South America by Marnix (John) Visser. Marnix states – I have found several bricks on an old Scottish plantation in Suriname South America with the name Waterloo and located in Nickerie at the border with Guyana. James Balfour was the plantation owner. . . Below – Hurlford –…

Found in a reclamation yard in Blackburn, Aberdeenshire by Ian Suddaby. It was left in situ as it was broken. J & R Howie, Hurlford Fireclay Works, Galston Road, Hurlford, Ayrshire. McRae’s Patent Regd No 18808 J & R Howie sole makers. I am informed that the patent/registration of this item dates from 1884. 1)  A…

Found on the site of the old Bonnyside Brickworks, Bonnybridge. J & R Howie Ltd, Hurlford, Kilmarnock. Ignis is a J & R Howie trademark. Surely, ‘Ingis’ is supposed to read ‘Ignis’? Why do so many ‘Ignis’ fire bricks turn up at the Bonnyside Brickworks? Did Dougall, Bonnyside Brickworks take over the brand name at…

Found at James Dougalls old works, Bonnyside, Bonnybridge. J & R Howie Ltd, Hurlford, Kilmarnock. . . . . Why do so many ‘Ignis’ fire bricks turn up at the Bonnyside Brickworks? Did Dougall, Bonnyside Brickworks take over the brand name at some point? Below – 1952 – A page from a Howie catalogue –…

Many thanks to Colin Rogers for the following information and photographs. This white enamelled sink stamped J & R H Ltd, was found in Montevideo, Uruguay by Colin’s wife, Sonsoles Baison. Colin states – Part of the stamp says “Made in Britain” and in Spanish “aprobado por A.N.D.A.” which means approved by Anda. There is…

Many thanks to Shayne Campbell, President & Executive Director Settlers, Rials & Trails – Argyle Museum, for permission to use the photographs of their Scottish bricks. The following bricks are in the possession of the Argyle Museum, Winnipeg, Canada. The bricks were obtained from a junkyard in Winnipeg and are believed to have been salvaged…

Found by Chris Graham in NW England. This example is not in my possession. A salt glazed trough. Omoa Fire Clay Works, Cleland, Motherwell. . . .

This, and 2 other similar troughs, are owned by Debbie Hanson who resides in the West Lothian area. Lilliehill Fireclay Works, Townhill, Dunfermline, Fife. . . . . . Below – This roof ridge tile was found by Ian Hawkins in the Edinburgh area. . .    

Found by Ian Suddaby at Kirkcudbright, Galloway. This mark is stamped on an animal feed trough and there may also be an additional ‘Y’ stamped to the right of the main mark. The stamp is possibly R & Coy (Company). I have only ever found R & C bricks at the Hurll Gartliston or Garnqueen…