Vogrie Brick and Tile Works, Newlandrig, Gorebridge, Midlothian.
These works appear to have been in use in order to supply the local Vogrie Estate with bricks, drainage tiles and roof pantiles.
Newlandrig conservation area – source
Roofs on many older cottages are of gable form and retain their pantile finish. Most modern buildings are rendered with concrete or plain tiled roofs. There are skew gables, cast-iron guttering and chimneys in stone or render, with the occasional slate roof. Single storey cottage with pantile roof and skew gables. The area was originally surrounded by moorland and turf which was generally used on the roofs of vernacular buildings until the 19th century when they were replaced by pantiles manufactured at the Vogrie Estate brick and tile works, which opened in the 1800s
1852 – The 1985 publication ‘A survey of Scottish brickmarks’ suggests that James Dewar operated the works around this time.
1852 – 1853 – ScotlandsPlaces – Vogrie Brick and Tile Works – “a small piece of ground on the Estate of Vogrie, the property of Mr Dewar, it is laid out and used as a place for the manufactory of bricks and other buildings on it for burning and drying purposes”
Below – 1852 – 1853 – Vogrie Brick and Tile Works.
Below – 28/01/1857 – The Scotsman – To Let – The Vogrie Brick and Tile Works – David Young, Overseer at Woodhead of Vogrie and Robert Buchan at the works.
and it looks like the works were still up for sale 8 months later
Below – 28/09/1857 – Caledonian Mercury.
01/12/1865 – Caledonian Mercury – Thomas Wylie, a labourer at Vogrie Brickwork was found guilty of trespassing in search of game on the estates of Vogrie on the 12th ult and was fined 8s and costs.
1867 – The 1985 publication ‘A survey of Scottish brickmarks’ suggests that John Christie operated the works around this time. (Note – SBH – I am uncertain whether Christie operated these works of the Vogrie Coal and Fireclay Works or indeed, both works).
15/09/1877 – The Scotsman – Bricks (red) at Vogrie Brickworks or trucked at Gorebridge. Apply Robert Thomson, Vogrie Brickwork, Ford.
13/05/1882 – Aberdeen Evening Express – George Shields Paterson, aged 8 years, has been drowned in a clay hole at Vogrie Brickwork, Gorebridge.
1890 – Robert Thomson, Vogrie Brickworks, Gorebridge.
Below – 1892 – Vogrie Brick and Tile Works.
23/01/1895 – The Scotsman – A reference to a death provides that Mr and Mrs Thomson reside at Vogrie Tileworks, Gorebridge.
27/03/1896 – Portobello Advertiser – An article on a diamond wedding celebration and reference to Mr Gilbert McCall, manager of Vogrie Brickworks attending.
1903 – John Thomson, brickmaker, Dewarton, Midlothian.
1903 – Robert Thomson, brick and tile maker, Newlandrigg, Gorebridge.
27/12/1904 – The Scotsman – Reference to the death of Margaret Hope, the wife of Robert Thomson provides they reside at Vogrie Tileworks, Gorebridge.
Below – 1906 – Vogrie Brick and Tile Works.
Below – c. 1960 – Aerial view photograph of the Vogrie Brick and Tile Works showing what looks like a kiln in the bottom right.
Below – Vogrie Brick and Tile Works showing what looks like a kiln and storage shed – this is the same structure as referred to above.
Below – 2 associated buildings for the Vogrie Brick and Tile Works.
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Below – The first photo shows the cottage at Vogrie Brick and Tile Works with the corner of the old brick byre and stables to the right. They are built from brick and have drainage tiles inserted for ventilation. A new building stands in the foreground.
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Below –
Left – drainage tile – 4 1/2″ high, 3 1/2″ widest, 2 3/4″ flat bottom.
Right – drainage tile – 2 3/4″ high, 2 3/4″ widest, 2″ flat bottom.
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Below – The ‘cobbled’ floor of the byre and stables is made from bricks
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Below – Inside one of the byres – the floor is laid with tiles.
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Below – Vogrie Brick and Tile Works – piles of pantiles stacked in the garden.
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The following products were found on site. None are marked but it is assumed all were manufactured at the Vogrie Brick and Tile Works
2 x pantiles
left – 14″ x 10″
right – 15″ x 10 1/2″
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Below – Left to right
Below – Drainage pipes – left to right
Below – An unmarked waster brick found on site.(misshapen during firing)
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Below – 2 drainage tiles.
1. Top – 14″ long x 4 3/4″ high x 4 1/2″ widest x 3 3/4″ flat bottom.
2. Bottom – 15″ long x 3″ high x 2 3/4″ widest x 1 3/4″ flat bottom.
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Below – 2 drainage tiles of the same size as the 2 above but they appear to have been fired with one inside the other (Note – SBH – Possibly a space-saving technique within the confines of the kiln). The firing has gone wrong with the larger and outer tile forming ‘bubbles’ that have trapped the inner tile so it could not be removed).
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Fire bricks found in demolition rubble tipped into an old clay pit on site were either unmarked or bore the stamps ‘Arniston 1960’ or ‘John Grieve Bankpark Firebrick Works’
1865 – John Christie, brick and tile maker, Cornton, Causewayside, Stirling/Clackmannan. 1871 – Census – John Christie is described as being born c. 1823 and a brick and tile worker – master. Employing 17 men and 3 women. He was living at Forthbank in the Parish of St Ninians. 30/04/1876 – John Christie dies. Below…
Gorebridge Coal and Fireclay Works, Gorebridge, Midlothian. Owned by Robert Thomson. Source Kenneth W Sanderson. c. 1889 – Owned by Robert Thomson? c. 1915 – Owned by Robert Thomson? (Note – SBH – This would appear to be the same Robert Thomson who operated the Vogrie Brick and Tile Works, Newlandrig, Gorebridge but I can…
Millands Brick and Tile Works, Auchterarder aka Mill Lands Brick and Tile Works aka Aberuthven Tileworks. Canmore 04/03/1841 – Perthshire Courier – Valuable farms in Strathearn to let for 19 years … The remaining land of Millands consists of 20 imperial acres or thereby with the dwelling house and offices will also be let for…
Below – 02/04/1796 – Caledonian Mercury – Could this have been the original advert for the plot of land that would become the brick and tile works, Shore, Stirling? 09/07/1818 – Caledonian Mercury – To be sold, a valuable genteel residence in the town of Stirling. On Wednesday the 19th of August 1818, if not…
Arniston Coal, Lime & Brick Works, Gorebridge, Midlothian. (Note – SBH – I am uncertain as to whether references to the ‘Vogrie Brickworks’ refer to the Vogrie Brick and Tile Works at Newlandrig or the Vogrie Coal and Fire Clay Works at Gorebridge). Canmore Canmore 03/12/1862 – Workmen at the Arniston and Vogrie Brickworks donate…
Vogrie Coal and Fire Clay Works, Gorebridge. (Note – SBH – This may be one of the same as the Gorebridge Coal and Fireclay Works, Gorebridge, Midlothian) (Note – SBH – I am uncertain as to whether references to the ‘Vogrie Brickworks’ refer to the Vogrie Brick and Tile Works at Newlandrig or the Vogrie…
David Gillespie, Brick, Tile and Fire Clay Works, Clackmannan. Canmore 25/11/1847 – Fife Herald – Notice regarding alterations to the Stirling and Dunfermline Railway … That to say, first, deviation line or new portion of railway, commencing at point on the said mainline, near to the Clackmannan Brick and Tile Works, in the Parish of…
