Month: May 2023

As readers will be aware, the advertisments of displenishing sales provides a great deal of information on farms and the implements and machines that were used on them. It can tell a lot about the activities on a farm, the scale of mechanisation, and the preference of the farmer towards certain makers. These advertisments were also published for businesses. There are a small number that relate to implement makers. These include the Caledonian Implement Works, St Ninians, Stirling. In 1950 the works was giving up the repairing business and in doing so it was having a displenishing sale on 24 January. That sale was to be conducted by Shirlaw, Allan & Co., auctioneers, Hamilton, who were well known for selling the assets of industrial businesses.

The Caledonian Implement Works had been associated with Alexander Scott, an agricultural engineer, since at least 1941. He incorporated the business in 1949 as Alexander Scott (Agricultural Engineers) Ltd. He exhibited at the Highland Shows of 1948 to 1950 when he entered two implements for the new implement awards. In 1949 these were the Universal Root Crop Harvester, invented by James Duncan, Easter Wairds, by Denny, and made by Mr Scott. The second was a turnip topper and tailer and mangold root lifter, also invented by James Duncan and made by Mr Scott.

What was in the workshop at the Caledonian Implement Works? In summary, a wide range of tools and machines. Here is how the displenishing sale notice which appeared in The Scotsman of 7 January 1950 recorded them:

“Sale of engineering and wood working plant and machinery agricultural implements, implement spares, &c including 2 ½ x 30 ins Ward Turret lathe; 5 ins centre wars capstan lathe; two 8 ½ ins and 6 ½ ins centre SS and SC lathes; 54 ins sewing, surfacing, and boring lathe; Archdale radial drilling machine, 2 ½ feet radius; 3 pillar vertical drilling machine; power hack sawing machine; 9 KW Murex electric ark welder; Morris overhead travelling crane for electric drive, 18ft span; Morris overhead hand travelling crane 18ft span; 12 ins surface planning and jointing machine; bank sawing machine 30 ins wheels; 2 circular saw benches, tables 5ft x 2ft 6 ins and 4ft x 2ft; Wilmac motorised circular saw bench, table 2ft 3 ins x 1ft 8 ins; 23 new circular saws, 24 ins dia., for 1 ¼ in spindle; 6 cwt platform weighing machine; 3 sets new chain lifting blocks, 20 and 10 cwts; portable electric drill, volts 250; 2 portable electric grinders, volts 220 AC/DC; smithy tools, Britannia petrol pump; 11 ½ tons 0.5 and 0.3 carbon steel flats and squares; 6 ½ tons MS plates, sheets, and sections; 6 tons bolts, nuts, rivets and nails; 180 yards WP T and G lining; 31 sheets Gyproc wall boarding, 8 ft x 3 ft; 264 cu feet 11 ins x 11 ins PP logs; new Caledonian heavy duty hay and straw baler on pneumatics; New Caledonian 30ft stacking elevator; 6 new power drive potato diggers; 2 sets new saddle back harrows; 6ft Bisset reaper and binder; 4 new 1 1/2HP Petter petrol engines; 22 pairs new 32 x 6 Sankey trailer wheels; 2850 ft Reynold elevator chain; 49 new flexible wire ropes 3/8 in dia. X 86 ft long; new baler spares; Stamford no. 2 sterilising boiler; martin’s sterilising chest 4ft x 3ft x 4ft; Alfa-Laval vacuum pump; 2 milking machine units; Fordson tractor on rotapeds; tractor trailer; box cart on pneumatics; 2 tractor and horse land rollers; hay collector; Newlands tool bar; grain bruiser and grinder; 8 HP Morris van; 7 HP Austin saloon; 2 typewriters; Gestetner duplicator &c.

Caledonian Implement Works, St Ninians, Stirling

On Tuesday, 24th January 1950, at eleven o’clock prompt.

Shirlaw, Allan & Co., auctioneers, Hamilton, have received instructions from Alexander Scott, Agricultural Engineers, Ltd, who are giving up the repairing branch of their business, to sell by auction, as above.”

The year 1914 was one of contrasts: peacetime followed by the start of the Great War, or the First World War, that was to continue until 1918. At the end of 1914 implement makers in south west Scotland reflected on their year and their prospects. They were all affected in various ways and to different extents.

The Dumfries and Galloway standard published an extensive account of the reflections from a number of businesses on 23 December 1914. It is worth quoting at length for the honest and frank reflections by the makers, including the leading ones, in the district.

“Motor trade

Nithsdale Motor Works

Mr Andrew Millar, Nithsdale Motor works, Dumfries, writes: When the year commenced prospects for a good season were bright, and throughout the spring and summer we were kept so busy with repairs that a good deal of overtime had to be worked, in order to overtake the work in a reasonable time. The demand for new cars, especially Humbers, was exceptionally good; but so great was the difficulty experienced in getting delivery of cars from the works within a reasonable period after the orders had been placed that several orders and to be refused. This delay was caused by the large demand exceeding the rate of supply. When the war broke out the motor trade practically collapsed, and for a time everything was at a standstill, and a number of workmen joined the colours. There was also a scare about the scarcity of a petrol supply, which was, however, short lived. Trade is now again back to its normal condition, and work for the winter is fairly good, the usual number of owners taking advantage of the winter season for having their cars overhauled and done up. The demand for new cars is at present not very brisk; abut when the war closes the demand should be great to replace the number of cars, private and commercial, which were given up and commandeered for army purposes, most of which will be rendered useless. The coachbuilding department is decreasing each year, as a large number of farmers are now going in for motor cars. In many cases this is due to their horses having been bought for the war, and it also enables them to attend markets at greater distances.

The Corn Exchange

Mr James Wyllie of Dumfries Corn Exchange writes: the year 1914 has seen a steady demand for all kinds of feeding stuffs. Prices during the spring and summer months were at a very reasonable level. Many farmers contracted for their supply of cakes and meals early in the year, so that the rise in price since the outbreak of the war does not affect them, the war risk falling largely on the merchant. Prices are still moderate and the demand good, showing that users are quite alive to the fact that liberal feeding is the most profitable method. Since harvest started the oat trade has been a brisk one, and most farmers have been using oats sparingly at home, turning them into cash as threshed. A long spell of dry weather enabled a large amount of threshing to be done, and the grain was marketed in good condition, and at prices which few men in the farming line have obtained before. Old ryegrass hay got well cleared out during the autumn, and the new crop is but a small one, and there is very little demand for it so far. Potatoes have been the crop of the season, but in some districts there is a good deal of disease. Prices remain at a remunerative level both for seed and table varieties. Dairy produced still takes the lead as a paying concern; and with feeding stuffs secured at a moderate price, both cheese and milk have done extra well. Cheeses are presently selling at record prices. The demand for all kinds of agricultural implements continues good, especially for Sellar’s digger ploughs, which sell more readily than ever.

Palmerston Implement Works

Mr Gavin Callander writes: After a quiet opening, the spring turned out quite up to the average. During summer I was exceptionally busy. The demand for mowers and reapers was very heavy, and owing, I suppose, to the scarcity of farm labour, I had difficulty in coping with the demand for self-binders, a great many of which I sold, while the number I had for repairs was largely in excess of former years. The autumn has been quite a busy one, so much that I have had to buy many implements I usually make, but could not overtake this season.

Messrs Cochran & Co., Annan

Messrs Cochran & Co., Annan, Limited, report that they had a very busy year up to the outbreak of war, their output and sales for the first seven months of the year being greater than in any other period of equal length. The outbreak of war cut down their business almost at once by about half, owing mainly to the interruption to the report and donkey boiler business. A number of boilers have been sold for various purposes in connection with war service, and lately there has been an improvement in the demand for boilers for commercial use. About one quarter of Messrs Cochran’s employees have left for active service.

Messrs J. & R. Wallace, Castle Douglas

Messrs J. & R. Wallace, engineers and agricultural implement makers, castle Douglas, report that with the exception of the past five months business has been well maintained during the year. The demand for their specialities, namely, manure distributors and milking machines, so far as this country is concerned, has been very gratifying, as was also their trade in the implements for which they are agents. Before the war was declared they had just received a large continental order, and had good prospects of a large business with several of our colonies. Eleven of their men have joined the forces, and the firm is working their usual number of hours per week.”

If you were a farmer in Perthshire and surrounding districts before the early 1960s you may have been familiar with the name of John Doe & Co. Ltd, Perth and Errol.

John Doe was already an agricultural implement maker and dealer at Errol, Perthshire, by 1868. By the 1870s the company extended its business into Dundee, with a depot at 22 South Union Street, and Inchture. By the early 1882 a premises was opened in Perth, at 20 Caledonian Road, which was to remain in the company’s hands into the early 1960s.

The company was renowned as an agent, holding agencies for many of the leading makers across Scotland and England. The first agency recorded, in 1869, was for A. C. Bamlett, Ripon, Thirsk, one that continued for decades, and for which the business was renowned. If you were a visitor to any Perthshire farm with a Bamlett machine, you knew that it had come from John Doe. By 1881, Doe was also agent for Ransomes, Sims & Head, as well as more local makers Mollison of Ruthven, J. D. Allan & Sons, Dunkeld. By 1896, agencies included those of Massey Harris Co. Ltd, London, R. Hornsby & Sons Ltd, Barford & Perkins, Peterborough, Oliver Plow Company, South bend, Indiana, J. & F. Howard, Bedford, Thomas Corbett, Perseverance Iron Works, Shrewsbury, John Baker, Wisbeach, and Richmond & Chandler, Manchester.

The reputation of its agencies was well recognized by farmers and agricultural societies. The Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland awarded a number of medals to John Doe for its collection of implements and machines at the Highland Show. They included medium silver medals in 1871, 1875 and 1876.

John Doe was also a noted implement and machine maker. In the mid 1930s its own manufactures included rollers, drill ploughs, grubbers and turnip cutters.

The company moved with the times, becoming a company limited by guarantee in 1901, which it retained until it was voluntarily wound up in 1962. For many years it was in the Doe family, with George B. Doe a managing director in 1911 and John Mollison Doe a joint managing director in 1932.

George B Doe died in October 1917. An obituary in the Dundee courier reported:

“Death of well-known agricultural implement maker

By the death of Mr George B. Doe, implement maker, Errol, yesterday, a well-known figure has been removed not only from the parish of Errol but from many parts of both Scotland and England.

Mr Doe succeeded his father, the late Mr John Doe, many years ago. The latter during the course of his lifetime formed one of the largest and best known businesses in agricultural machinery in Scotland. The business was latterly carried on as a private limited liability company, and the deceased Mr George B. Doe became the leading and managing director.

Mr Doe, who was 65 years of age, is survived by a widow, two daughters, and five sons. Two of the latter are in the army, and it will be remembered that Lieutenant Alfred B. Doe, another son, recently lost his life in Flanders.”

The company played an important role in ensuring that Perthshire farmers, and those in the surrounding counties, could obtain the latest implements and machines from leading makers. It helped Perthshire, and especially the Lowland districts, to become a leading agricultural district from the 1870s.

The photograph was taken at the Strathnairn Vintage Rally, 2014.

Each year in the early twentieth century the Aberdeen Press and Journal published an annual list of Royal Warrant Holders. These were granted as a mark of recognition to people or companies who regularly supplied goods or services to HM the King and the royal households. These included radio and gramophone specialists, grocers, wine merchants, cabinet makers and upholsterers, and furnishing ironmongers and coppersmiths. They also included agricultural implement makers. The maker that was recognised as the supplier to the King was Barclay, Ross & Hutchison, Ltd, of 67-71 Green and Cragshaw. This business was recorded as a supplier from at least 1904 to 1935. Later, as in 1959 it was also recorded as being “by appointment to Her Majesty the Queen, Agricultural Engineers”.

Back in 1914 Barclay, Ross & Tough conducted its business from Balmoral Buildings, 67-71 Green, Aberdeen, and at Craigshaw, Aberdeen. It was two addresses that became closely known with its successor Barclay, Ross & Tough and Barclay, Ross & Hutchison Ltd in 1920.

Early important changes were brought about in 1915 with the retrial of Robert Tough. The business continued to be run by the remaining partners, Robert Ross and Thomas Hutchison. Mr Barclay, the other partner, had been commission agent in Aberdeen from at least 1874 and then a manure, agricultural implement and commission merchant by 1890. By 1898 he was described as “Morrison Barclay, of Barclay, Ross and Tough.

On the retrial of Robert Ross, the business was taken over by Scottish Agricultural Industries Ltd on 1 July 1929. In 1933 it advertised in the North British Agriculturist as Barclay, Ross & Hutchison Ltd, associated with Scottish Agricultural Industries Ltd”. In that year it exhibited at the Highland Show the “S.A.I. chemical dresser for all seeds”.

While B.R.H. was associated with Aberdeen, it also conducted its business outside Aberdeen. In 1930 it had a depot at Perth, followed by another at Milnathort, Montrose, in 1938 and one at Forfar in 1947. In 1955 its depots were at Milnathort, Perth, Forfar, Montrose, Turriff and Aberdeen.

The company undertook a wide range of activities. In 1955 it was an agricultural implement, machinery and equipment dealer, agricultural engineer, machinery and equipment and equipment manufacturer, dairy engineer, dairy farm equipment supplies, electrical engineer and contractor, gate and pen manufacturer, structural and roofing engineer and contractor, tractor and implement agent, dealer and distributor. For a good number of years it was also a millwright.

The company made and sold a wide range of agricultural implements and machines. It was also an agent for a number of leading makers. In 1968 they included New Holland and Clayson, Bamfords, Howard and Alfa-Laval. It was an active advertiser in the Scottish agricultural press, especially from 1919.

Some time ago we featured the important expansion of Elgin Central Engineers in 1967. We have been looking around the newspapers in the Aberdeen area to see if we could find more about this business. We found an extensive article in the Aberdeen press and journal of 27 June 1975 which provides an update on the history of the business and developments since 1967. We quote at length:

“Elgin company press on

Elgin Central Engineers Ltd (rechristened “Elbar-Elgin Central”) are a company whose name is synonymous with service to the farming community throughout the North of Scotland. Established more than 70 years ago theirs is a success story to which new chapters are being added.

From a small cycle shop in Elgin’s Moss Street at the turn of the century the company have expanded time and time again and are now housed in a 34,000 sq ft modern factory complex on 14 acres at Moycroft, Elgin.

The company have long served the farming community, and the policy of personal contact and service at local level is to be maintained.

Elgin Central are the Ford main tractor dealers for the counties of Inverness, Moray, Nairn, Banff and east Aberdeenshire. They also hold franchises for many agricultural implement manufacturers, all of well established reputation for quality and reliability in north-east farming conditions.

Among these are New Holland, Ransomes, Krone, Farmhand, Wilder, Howard and Lely Import – to name but a few – which are sold through the company’s depots at Elgin and Turriff, the latter depot having been opened five years ago to provide a more direct personal service to the man customers in the Buchan area.

Long recognised as one of the most go-ahead companies in the Moray area Elgin Central have continued to progress since their move to Moycroft eight years ago. Their big modern showroom is virtually a shop window of the farming world behind which are located the largest agricultural stores in Scotland, carrying a full and comprehensive range of spare parts and accessories for all tractors and implements.

A large area of the factory is specially geared for repair work – for which the company have a proud record for speedy and efficient service.

Long established as the largest agricultural engineering business in Scotland. Elgin central have taken the swing to more mechanisation in modern farming in their stride and are now geared to meet the requirements of all farmers with the best agricultural machinery available on the market.

The firm endeavour to give the farmer any machine he may ask for – and if they have not got it in stock they will get it!

Their fleet of vans is constantly on the road, bringing help and advice to the farming community – and they are the only firm in Scotland to operate a contract hire service for tractors in a really big way. More than 100 tractors, for example, are meantime hired out to farmers on two-year contracts.

But while service to the farming community in the northern half of Scotland has been – and will remain – the company’s prime objective, Elgin Central have also diversified into other industrial and engineering fields in recent years.

Structural steelwork and general fabrication, including pressure vessels and silos – to exacting precision – now form an increasing part of their business. Extensive work is now being carried out for the distilling and oil industries in the North.

The company undertook a considerable amount of steel fabrication for McDermotts at Ardesier; built the Baker Oil tool extension at Aberdeen and the G. K. N. steel supply depot at Mosstodloch, near Fochabers, together with many other structural contracts through out the country from London to Shetland.

Elgin Central also hold the authorised distributorship for Burmah Castrol Oil and lubricants from Dundee northwards – and have depots for this throughout the area, including Shetland.

In addition, the company have the Ford industrial equipment franchise, supplying diggers and loaders, including large track 360 swivel units; and within their industrial implements company they have the franchise for the Manitou range of rough terrain forklifts, T. C. M. industrial forklifts and Liner cement mixers and dumpers.

And at Elgin – opposite their Moycroft headquarters – they also operate the Ford car dealership for the area, coupled, with a thriving garage car, and commercial vehicles sales division.

Now, under the Elbar banner, it is intended that there shall be further progress.”