Shotts Iron Works was established in 1801. The ample supply of

coal Coal is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock, formed as stratum, rock strata called coal seams. Coal is mostly carbon with variable amounts of other Chemical element, elements, chiefly hydrogen, sulfur, oxygen, and nitrogen ...

ironstone Ironstone is a sedimentary rock, either deposited directly as a ferruginous sediment or created by chemical replacement, that contains a substantial proportion of an iron ore compound from which iron (Fe) can be smelted commercially. Not to be con ...

and

lime Lime commonly refers to: * Lime (fruit), a green citrus fruit * Lime (material), inorganic materials containing calcium, usually calcium oxide or calcium hydroxide * Lime (color), a color between yellow and green Lime may also refer to: Botany ...

in the

Shotts Shotts is a town in North Lanarkshire, Scotland. It is located almost halfway between Glasgow () and Edinburgh (). The village has a population of about 8,840. A local story has Shotts being named after the legendary giant highwayman Bertram de ...

area provided the raw ingredients required to produce

pig iron Pig iron, also known as crude iron, is an intermediate product of the iron industry in the production of steel which is obtained by smelting iron ore in a blast furnace. Pig iron has a high carbon content, typically 3.8–4.7%, along with sil ...

. The iron works and associated extraction of raw materials was the main source of industry in Shotts for a period of over 150 years. Annual output of pig iron at Shotts reached a peak of 75,000 tons with a worldwide reputation for excellence of its foundry castings.

History of Shotts Iron Works

On 16 April 1801, Robert and Hugh Baird, civil engineers based near

Glasgow Glasgow ( ; sco, Glesca or ; gd, Glaschu ) is the most populous city in Scotland and the fourth-most populous city in the United Kingdom, as well as being the 27th largest city by population in Europe. In 2020, it had an estimated pop ...

, obtained a lease of the minerals on either side of

South Calder Water The South Calder Water, known locally as "The Cawder", or simply "Calder", is a river in Scotland. It runs west from the high plateau between Shotts and Fauldhouse to its joining with the much larger River Clyde. The high plateau is also the wa ...

. Shotts Iron Company was formed that year when three more partners joined. The Company was wound up in 1952 when an Extraordinary General Meeting of shareholders passed a resolution appointing Joint Liquidators.

Background to the Company and Directors

The Shotts Iron Company formed in 1801 consisted of Robert Baird, Hugh Baird, George Munro, Walter Logan and John Baird. In 1810, Robert and Hugh Baird dropped out of the partnership and a New Shotts Iron Company was formed with the addition of Robert Bogle and John Blackburn. In 1823, Shotts Iron Works was advertised for sale. Two rival groups made strong bids to take over the Company. The winning group was led by John Horrocks and a new company was formed in 1824 with partners Walter Logan (from the old Company) along with William Waddell, William Wilson Duffin, William Crawford, Francis Cameron, William Dun, James Reoch and George Crichton. Four trustees were appointed and a contract of co-partnery under the name of the Shotts Iron Joint Stock Company was set up.

Furnace and Blast Tower

The furnace bank and hot blast tower are the only remaining surviving remains of the iron-smelting works. Historic Environment Scotland has given a B grade category to these buildings in recognition of their significance to the history and heritage of Central Scotland. Shotts Iron Company was one of the early iron-smelting works in the region, and one of the last to remain in operation. The furnace bank is one of three surviving in Scotland. Both buildings are listed on the Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland. Inspections have been carried out in February 2008, June 2010 and December 2014. Each inspection has found the furnace bank to be reasonably secured, but in need of repointing. The hot blast tower also has pointing and internal timber ladders in poor condition. The entrance to the tower has suffered damage from a large stone having dislodged from the wall.

Castlehill Iron Works (1838-1884)

Castlehill Iron Works was owned by Shotts Iron Works and was situated in the Castlehill area of Carluke. At its most busy time, the Iron Works had three furnaces in blast. Coal was supplied to the Works from the nearby Castlehill Colliery, also owned by Shotts Iron Works. Houses for the workers were situated nearby and included 'Furnace Row', while the agent for the Iron Works lived in Castlehill House. Kerrfield House was the home of the manager of Castlehill colliery, and next door in the same building was the station master of the busy goods station which was near the junction of Castlehill Road and Airdrie Road. While Furnace Row has long since disappeared, Castlehill and Kerrfield Houses are still in use and occupied.

References

{{Reflist Foundries in the United Kingdom Ironworks and steelworks in Scotland Shotts