In 1947 there was a lot of activity going on in the St Ninian’s Road area of Stirling. The Caledonian Implement Works was having a make-over and a new showroom built. In addition, the Works were extending and a new repair department built. Alexander Scott was also establishing himself as a Ferguson dealer.
All of that activity was recorded in the local newspapers. Let’s take a look at how they reported all this activity.
The Bridge of Allan gazette of 23 August 1947 included a short article on the development of the Caledonian Implement Works. It states:
“Local industry
The Caledonian Implement Works
Enterprise at St Ninians
A seventy-two yards long showroom frontage in the most modern style, and containing seven large plate-glass windows, will transform the present harled wall of the Caledonian Implement Works, facing St Ninian’s Road and Borestone Crescent, enhancing the appearance of the building on one of the best corner sites in Stirling. This is the most striking feature of an ambitious plan, executed by provost A. M. McMichael, architect, Stirling, on behalf of the proprietor of the works, Mr Alexander Scott, for the conversion of the building, recently acquired by Mr Scott, into a spacious showroom for Ferguson tractors and implements, and for the creation of implement stores, repair depot, and workshops for the building of the popular Scott-United balers, and other agricultural equipment.
Provost McMichael’s admirably conceived plans were submitted at Thursday’s sitting of Stirling Dean of Guild Court and approved.
The showroom alone will have an area of approximately 2000 square feet. In this extensive and well-lit department, prospective purchasers will be free to examine in detail the Ferguson tractors on display and all the implements of the Ferguson system, such as furrow ploughs, ridgers, disc harrows, tillers, transport boxes, and the time row crop cultivators.
Ferguson tractors, and the numerous implements of the Ferguson system, are well-known to the farming community of Stirlingshire and Clackmannanshire, in which area Mr Scott has been appointed sole agent. A British product, and specially designed to suit British farming, the Ferguson system enables the farmer to mechanise his farm as completely as a modern factory is mechanised. It transforms the tractor into a farming machine that gets more work done in less time, with less effort, at less cost, and with greater efficiency than was ever before possible.
Tractor and implement work as one unit in this system, because the tractor carries the implement by means of a three-point linkage and hydraulic finger-tip depth control. The use of natural laws makes the system fool-proof, the weight of the tractor being automatically adjusted to the job and an even working depth achieved in the implement.
Main entrance to the showroom will be a large glass-panelled door fronting St Ninian’s Road. Offices back the showroom, which has also direct access to the spare-parts stores. The floor space of these stores is equal to that of the showroom. Already in operation, the stores contain an impressive array of spare parts for the Ferguson system, indexed, arranged, and displayed in the most efficient modern method.
Linked with the spare-parts stores is the tractor repair shops. Three times the size of the showroom, it contains electrical welding machines, re-boring machines, vulcanising plant, etc. There is also machinery for the overhauling of all types of farm machinery speedily and efficiency. In addition, there is a battery-charging station, a compressor for servicing tyres and for cleaning and spraying purposes. The large blacksmith shop attached is also admirably equipped.”
The Callander advertiser of 4 October 1947 included a notice reporting that the Works had opened its repair department:
“Alexander Scott, Caledonian Implement Works, St Ninians, Stirling.
Notice to farmers. We have opened a separate repair department at Caledonian Implement Works for the repair of all farm machinery and are pleased to announce that Mr Charles Musgrave, late foreman with Robertson & McLaren, will be in full charge. Bring your repairs here for speedy and efficient service.”
The Falkirk herald of 1 June 1947 reported his appointment as a local agent of Ferguson tractors:
“Business announcement
Alexander Scott, agricultural engineer, Caledonian Implement Works, St Ninians, Stirling has pleasure in intimating that he has been appointed sole agent for Stirlingshire and Clackmannanshire for the Ferguson tractor.
Enquiries and orders will receive personal attention.”
