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Local agricultural shows were an important forum to exhibit agricultural implements and to provide farmers and other agriculturists with a forum to show the latest developments and what was new. Some shows were also accompanied by trials, which put the latest implements and machines through rigorous work and inspection. 

Some of the local shows, such as those in Ayr, Glasgow, and East Lothian, were especially important, with some of the English makers taking a stand and bringing their manufactures to audiences there. They included the show in East Lothian of the United East Lothian Agricultural Society, one of the leading agricultural societies. In 1876, a time of increasing mechanisation, the Show was a large one, with an “excellent and varied” display of implements and machines, including those from English and leading Scottish makers; it also had a trial field. 

What could the farmer and agriculturist see at the United East Lothian Agricultural Show? As the show was an important one, extensive accounts of it were published in the local newspaper press and the framing newspapers. The North British Agriculturist, the national farming newspaper, provided an extensive and detailed account of the implement department, which is worth quoting at length: 

“This department of the show formed, as usual, an excellent and varied display of agricultural implements and machinery, as well as of many articles which could scarcely be recognised as coming within this category, but which, undeniably, contributed much to the generally attractive character of this part of the exhibition. In giving a notice of particular stands, it will be most appropriate on our part for obvious reasons to confine ourselves mostly to what may be termed agricultural stands, and indeed only to the more prominent of these. First in order we have pleasure in noticing Ord & Maddison, Darlington, represented here with their weed eradicator for clearing the grain braird of wild mustard and other weeds. By recent trials in Scotland, both under the auspices of the Highland Society and the East Lothian Agricultural Society, this machine has come very prominently before the public, and its exhibition here necessarily excited much interest. On Friday week it was tried under the auspices of the East Lothian Society, and a committee was appointed to report upon it, but the report has not been issued yet. The trial field, which was on the farm of Mr Stevenson, Hawthornbank, was scarcely so dirty (but the soil from recent rains was very moist) as that at Craigmillar, where it was tried under the auspices of the National Society. In the East Lothian field, of course, more of the weeds were torn up by the roots, although it may be said that in other respects the capabilities of the machine were more fairly put to the test in the Craigmillar field. The judges here, as in the former trial, seemed quite impressed with its usefulness, but its present price, it was considered, would be a deterrent circumstance in regard to its general use by agriculturists. It may be noticed fitly here that since last year Messrs Ord & Maddison have made an important change on the machine, which will very obviously make it easier in motion and more durable. The improvement is the introduction of bass rollers-thus removing all friction in the parts-to run in the excentrices.

Messrs Dodds & Rignall, engineers, Haddington and Edinburgh, exhibit a fine collection of mowers and reapers, rakes, potato digger &c, made by the most of the widely known firms in the kingdom, which secured a good share of attention from visitors. In the large stand of Isaac Cole, Princes Street, Edinburgh, the grooming machine which he had forward attracted a good deal of attention on the part of farmers. It consists of a stand with a fly-wheel, and operates by a series of shafts, encased tubes, and connected by a peculiar species of universal joint which enables a revolving brush to be operated upon in every direction. The brush proceeds, in the hands of an operator, over the horse’s flanks and legs in a surprisingly short time. A horse was brought forward in the show and underwent a grooming, the operation being witnessed by a large number of farmers. The horse, although somewhat dirty, was exceedingly well cleaned, but even during the few minutes to which the operation extended the turning of the handle seemed a pretty hard job, and such as no weakling would like to undertake. The machine can be driven by steam power, and in this way twenty of them are in operation in the Glasgow Tramway Car Company’s establishment, where they are said to be giving satisfaction. Twenty horses, it is also said, can be cleaned in an hour with one machine applied to steam power. We understand it has lately been introduced into some of the valuable English cattle herds, where it might be of great service in maintaining the clear, sleek, mellow coat so desirable. Among work horses also it seems likely to be of some use. Although there seems no doubt as to its utility and capabilities, it is, like most new inventions, just rather too “salt”, in a pecuniary sense, for the farmer, and perhaps the aptness of the remark of an onlooker-“We’ll wait till it’s cheaper”-will be proved by its being carried well into practice.

David Foulis, ironmonger, George Street, Edinburgh, had forwarded a choice collection of stoves, mangles, wringing and washing machines &c; and Mr Linton, Jedburgh, had as usual an attractive display of well-known churns, as also of butter and cheese vessels, for which he and Mr Brown and Murray, Haddington (who were also first in the washing and wringing competition), were awarded certificates. The combined corn and grass seed-dressing machines, and the National Society’s premium fanners of John Richardson, Carlisle, were not the least conspicuous amongst the exhibits. 
Jack & Sons, Maybole, were represented by well-tried and useful implements, such as the Buckeye mower and reaper, a turnip tailing and topping machine, and Aspinall’s patent potato planter. Their strong and well-made barrel churns were the special exhibits which Robinson & Richardson, Westmoreland, had forwarded; while a splendid assortment of hay-rakes, washing-machines, and American ploughs were all of substantial make. The “Excelsior” stone-breaking machine of Messrs David Gray, Coatbridge, was in operation, and was an object of considerable attention to large numbers of visitors. Edwin Sherwood, Bedale, had forward his two-horse reaper, with new crank arrangement; and Logan & Elder, Berwick-on-Tweed, their imperial reapers and mowers, which came in for a share of notice. A. & J. Main & Co., Edinburgh, had perhaps as fine a show of agricultural implements as any firm represented in the showyard. Amongst the most conspicuous of the many useful implements they exhibited was Wood’s self-delivery reaper, which, having here controllable rakes, can put off sheaves of any size; Samuelson & Company’s well-known reaper and mower, and Ransome’s “Star” semi-acting chain delivery horse-rake, which were exhibited for the first time in Scotland; Wallace’s patent potato digger, and the continuous bar-fencing of their manufacture. Sheaves of any size can also be put off by the Johnston Harvester, which was introduced into this country three years ago, and which is here shown by Mr Thomson, Alnwick. It, however, requires, if we mistake not, to be stopped and gearing changed before the Harvester can alter or vary the size of the sheaves.

J. Bisset & Sons, Blairgowrie, had forward, along with one or two useful reaping machines, their potato digger, which is doing good work in practice. Mr hunter’s (Maybole) stand has for a long time been a great attraction to progressive agriculturists, and to show that it was here still as attractive we have only to mention he had forward, among other well-known firms, his self-acting double drill turnip thinning machine and his “Excelsior” double drill turnip topping and tailing machine. Messrs Robey & Co., Lincoln, made a very creditable appearance here in their beautiful and well constructed “Robey” traction engine, which, it may be mentioned, has all the working parts carried in a U-shaped casting placed on the top if the boiler; a thrashing and finishing machine and two portable engines of the most approved construction occupying the rest of their space.
Messrs Fowler & Co. are not behind, which, of course they were not expected to be in the East Lothian showyard. In addition to three powerful and finely-finished ploughing, traction, and general purpose steam-engines, they have on the ground a nine-tined steam cultivator for grubbing and opening the land, and making turnip drills at the same time if necessary. This enterprising firm has also on the ground a steam harrow and clod-crusher, and a presser-roller which had never been exhibited here before. The harrow and clod-crusher is introduced by this form to remove a difficulty experienced, especially in East Lothian, where steam cultivation is adopted. It has been found that the farmers are not able to break the clod and bring the land to a fine tilth in good time after the steam cultivator. Often the clods get so hardened by drought that they cannot be crushed by the common horse Crosskiller or roller, and the land loses-which it has no need to do in East Lothian-the moisture too much by being left so open. The presser-roller consists of five convex-edged wheels, which run between and press the furrows. It is attached to and runs behind the steam plough on the ploughed land. The trial of these new implements will be found reported in another column. The next stand-that of John Doe, Errol-contains a large and splendid assortment of Bamlett’s well made and useful reapers and mowers. Thomas Shirreff & Co., Dunbar, occupy a large space well filled with farm implements of almost all kinds, the ploughs, harrows, grubbers, turnip slicers and cutters, sowing and reaping machines, and carts especially attracting attention. Messrs McIllwraith and Co., Glasgow, had on the ground a large assortmrnt of covering material worthy of special notice, being their new, self-ventilating covering for stacks. While keeping the rain out, it is so openly wrought as to afford free ventilation, and in this respect is better than tarpaulin. The portable steam engine and thrashing machine of Wm Foster & Co., Lincoln, attracted considerable attention. The British Dynamite Company, Glasgow, had forward samples of their material for blasting purposes, an account of experiments in which will be found in another column.

On Saturday Hanson & Hunter’s (Maybole) turnip-thinning machine, and also that of Messrs Pirie & Co.’s (Aberdeen), were put under trial by the implement judges of the show in a field some distance from the yard. The work of the two machines came so near each other in point of efficiency that the judges awarded to each of the owners a silver medal. The thinning, as it was, was done with remarkable regularity, but a cluster of plants, instead of one, were generally left at the specified distances, so that the machines would always require to be supplemented or followed by hand labour for the purpose of trimming. Notwithstanding, the machines were considered a very important addition to the appliances of machinery in the cultivation of the soil, as they would have about one-third of the labour in thinning.”

Quite a show with lots of developments for the East Lothian farmer to consider.

Adverts for displenishing sales are a useful source of evidence to see what implements and machines were used on particular farms at a specific point in time. They may include implements and machines that had been used for decades as well as newer ones and the latest technologies. They can show the preference of particular farmers for certain makers and makes of machinery as well. They can also be used to show how widespread some implements and machines were, especially if they were more specialised. 

By the early 1950s mechanisation was a key word on Scottish farms. The horse era was giving way to the tractor era and on some farms both kinds of power were used, sometimes for specific tasks. With labour shortages both of full-time and seasonal and casual workers, there was a push to start to find more mechanised ways to deal with the handling, harvesting and processing of crops. 

The following selection of adverts from the Strathern Herald in Perthshire shows the implements and machines on a small number of farms in the early 1950s. They show widespread mechanisation with up-to-date implements and machines to undertake a wide variety of tasks from ploughing, sowing, cultivation, management, harvesting and processing of crops. 

Implements and machines from key makers were noted. They included names such as Wallace of Glasgow, Newlands of Linlithgow, Allan of Muthly, Dickie of East Kilbride, and Bisset of Blairgowrie. English and north-American names were also represented for some of the implements and machines. They included well-known names associated with particular products such as Albion (Harrison, McGregor & Co. Ltd., in Leigh, Lancashire) for mowers and binders and Massey Harris for corn drills and binders). At some farms there was a preference for particular makers: at Rotteans Farm there was a preference for the Ferguson system with its implements and Fordson with its associated implements. 

The farms were using a range of motive power. Rotteans Farm had both tractor and horse implements and machines, with the former focusing largely on ploughing and cultivating implements and machines. Woodside Farm, Auchterarder appeared to be working with horses, no tractor being listed. 

Rottearns Farm, Braco (advert, 18 April 1850) 
Tractor implements- Ferguson (complete with strakes); D.F. Ferguson plough; S.F. Ferguson plough; Ferguson ridger; Ferguson light cultivator; Ferguson heavy cultivator; Fordson on rubbers (with strakes); Fordson on rubbers (with pulley); bogey (tipper), with float sides; bogey; coup cart; Fordson Major 2-furrow plough; Newlands ridger for Fordson; Albion binder (6ft cut); set S.T. harrows; 2 sets harrows; 2 sets iron front wheels (for Fordson); 1 set iron rear wheels (for Fordson); set M. M. discs; 9 ft roller.

Horse implements- Massey Harris corn drill; Massey Harris binder; Wallace potato digger; Allan potato dresser; Garvie grass seed barrow; Macdonald manure distributor (for horse or tractor); Albion hay mower; saw-bench; harrows; 2 wheelbarrows; 2 hay collectors; 2 oil drums; coup cart (on rubbers); corn cart; horse roller; set saddle harrows; berry plough; drill grubber; potato hopper (2 screens); Dickie swathe turner; 6 raspberry barrels; 3 ladders; 400 stack props; weighing machine and weights; fanners; sack barrow; 6 rolls netting; sheep stakes; a quantity of furniture, and all the usual barn, byre and stable utensils, etc, etc. 

Ross Farm, Balgowan (advert, 11 November 1850) 
Implements – Fordson tractor on rubbers, double-furrow tractor plough, rubber-tyred box cart, box cart, corn cart, horse roller, turnip barrow, turnip slicer, rick lifter, tractor hay sweep, hay mower (Albion), 2 binders (Albion), manure distributor, corn drill (Massey Harris), potato digger, horse rake, cultivator, grubber, 2 sets iron harrows, set tractor harrows, saddle harrows, set S. T. harrows, 2 Hunter hoes, 3 ploughs, pulper, 2 rubber-tyred hand barrows, hay collector, potato harp, 220 gallon oil tank, fanners, steelyard and weights, sack barrow, 2 oil cabinets, bench and vice and small hand tools, ladders, props, bosses, wire netting, sheep troughs, 80 new posts, 14 milk cans, pails, basins, milk cooler, and all barn and stable utensils, 6 henhouses (portable), 2 brooder houses, 2 brooders, 2 incubators, churn, 2 chemical closets and a small quantity of household furniture. 

East Mains Farm, Tulliebardine (advert, 26 May 1951) 
Implements-Ferguson tractor, 1949 (with electric lighting), tractor ridger, D.F. plough, Ferguson D.F. plough, 2 R.T. box carts, 2 corn carts, car trailer, grass seed machine (Garvie), 2 Massey-Harris binders, 2 hay collectors, Wallace mower, Bisset mower, Ruston Hornsby mower (oil bath), corn driller, manure distributor (Bisset), hay turner (Nicholson), horse rake (Nicholson), horse roller, cultivator, turnip barrow, pulper, turnip slicer, 2 sheep haiks, set iron harrows, circular harrows, grass seed harrows, drill grubber, steelyard and weights, Dux plough, 110A plough, drill plough, potato planter, sack barrow, R.T. barrow, Hunter hoe, zinc bin, fanners, 3 ladders, electric fence, potato hopper and screens, props, bosses stakes, sheep troughs, netting, chests, 4 henhouses (2 as new), and all barn and stable utensils. 

Woodside Farm, Auchterarder (advert, 10 November 1852)
Implements – R. T. general purpose cart convertible to rick lifter, coup cart, R. T. corn cart; hay mower (Bamford), hay collector, binder (Massey Harris), corn driller (Massey Harris), broadcast, hay turner (Massey, as new), horse roller, horse rake, potato digger (Wallace), fitted for tractor, turnip barrow, drill plough, 2 Dux ploughs, 2 sets iron harrows, 3 drill harrows, steelyard and weights (white), pulper, R. T. sack barrow (as new), 2 corn bins, R. T. dogcart, ladder, 3 sets cart harness, set pony harness, 12-bore gun, and all the usual barn and stable utensils, 50-gallon oil cabinet, scrap iron, surplus furniture. 

Kipney, Logiealmond (advert, 1 November 1952) 
Implements – Fordson row crop tractor (on rubbers), Fordson tractor (on irons), 2 D. F. tractor ploughs, tractor bogie, tractor cart (rubber tyred), tool bar, potato spinner, McCormack binder, Bisset binder, Jack potato digger, Wallace hay mower, hay sweep, Bisset manure distributor, corn drill, cultivator, 3 sets iron harrows, set circular harrows, set chain harrows, set spring tooth harrows, set drill harrows, drill plough, hay rake, grass seed machine, turnip barrow, double driller, set elevator fanners, weighing machine and weights, cake breaker, hay cutter, turnip pulper, turnip slicer, wheel barrow, sack barrow, ladders, bench, vice and tools, anvil, bellows and tools, 100 gallon paraffin drum, 40 gallon paraffin drum, guddle and mell, pig feeder (dry), fireclay troughs, sheep troughs, forks, rakes, shovels, spades, picks, brooms, lanterns, sheep nets and stakes, potato screen, riddles, baskets, quantity of wood, usual barn and stable utensils. Also 3 hen houses, 6 coops and runs, quantity household furniture and dairy utensils.

“The Gentleman Farmer: being an attempt to improve agriculture, by subjecting it to the test of rational principles” of Lord Kames, Henry Home, was an agricultural best-seller of its day. It was first published in 1776. By the early 1800s it had gone through six editions. No other Scottish agricultural book had that level of success. 

Kames showed himself to be a practical agriculturist, and provided comments on the implements and machines used. He was both positive but also critical on the merits of them, and made a range of suggestions on how they could be improved. 

Kames provides a detailed account of the harrow, an important implement for making a good seedbed for a range of crops. It is worth quoting at length for his observations, and to show what farmers and agriculturists were using for harrows. This account is from the 1798 edition of his book: 

“Harrows are commonly considered as of no use to cover the seed. They have another use scarce less essential, which is to prepare land for the seed. This is an article of importance for producing a good crop. And to shew how imperfectly either of these purposes is performed by the common harrow, take the following account of it.
The harrow commonly used is of different forms. The first I shall mention has two bulls, four feet long and eighteen asunder, with four wooden teeth in each. A second has three bulls and twelve wooden teeth. A third has four bulls, and twenty teeth, of wood or iron, ten. Eleven, or twelve inches asunder. Now, in fine mould the last may be sufficient for covering the seed; but none of them are sufficient to prepare for the seed any ground that requires subduing. The only tolerable form is that with iron teeth; and the bare description of its imperfections, will shew the necessity of a more perfect form. In the first place, this harrow is by far too light for ground new taken up from the state of nature, for clays hardened with spring-drought, or for other stubborn soils: it floats on the surface, and after frequent returns in the same track, nothing is done effectually. In the next place, the teeth are too thick set, by which the harrow is apt to be choked, especially where the earth is bound with roots, which is commonly the case. At the same time, the lightness and number of teeth kept the harrow upon the surface, and prevent one of its capital purposes, that of dividing the soil. Nor will fewer teeth answer for covering the seed properly. In the third place, the teethe are too short for reducing a coarse soil to proper tilth; and yet it would be in vain to make them longer, because the harrow is too light for going deep into the ground. Further, the common harrows ate so ill constructed, as to ride at every turn one upon another. Much time is lost in disengaging them. What pity is it, that an industriuous farmer should be reduced to such an imperfect instrument, which is neither fit to prepare the ground for seed, nor to cover it properly! And I now all, that it is equally unfit for extiripating weeds. The ground is frequently so bound with couch-grass, as to make the furrow-slice stand upright, as when old lea is ploughed: notwithstanding much labour, the grass-roots keep the field, and gain the victory. What follows? The farmer at last is reduced to the necessity of leaving the weeds in peaceable possession, because his field will no longer bear corn.

A little reflection, even without experience, will make it evident, that the same harrows, whatever be the form, can never answer all the different purposes of harrowing, nor can operate equally in all different soils, rough or smooth, firm or loose. Looking back not many years above thirty, no farmer in Scotland had the slightest notion of different ploughs for different purposes. The Scotch plough was the only one known. Different ploughs are now introduced; and it is full time to think of different harrows. Rejecting the common harrows, as in every respect badly constructed, I boldly recommend the following, I use three of them of different forms, for different purposes. They are all of the same weight, drawn each by two horses. Birch is the best wood for them, because it is cheap, and not apt to split. The first is composed of four bulls, each four feet ten inches long, three and a quarter inches broad, and three and a half deep; the interval between the bulls eleven and three fourth inches; so that the breadth of the whole harrow is four feet. The bulls are connected by four sheths, which go through each bull, and are fixed by timber nails driven through both. In each bull five teeth are inserted, ten inches free under the bull, and ten inches asunder. They are of the same form with those of the brake, and inserted into the wood in the same manner. Each of these teeth is three pounds weight; and where the harrow is made of birch, the weight of the whole is six stone fourteen pounds Dutch. An erect bridle is fixed at a corner of the harrow, three inches high, with four notches for drawing higher or lower. To this bridle a double tree is fixed for two horses drawing abreast, as in a plough. And to strengthen the harrow, a flat rod of iron is nailed upon the harrow from corner to corner in the line of the draught.

The second harrow consists of two parts, connected together by a crank or hinge in the middle, and two chains of equal length, one at each end, which keep the two parts always parallel, and at the same distance from each other. The crank is so contrived, as to allow the two parts to ply to the ground like two unconnected harrows; but neither of them to rise above the other, more than if they were a single harrow without a joint. Ina. Word, they may form an angle downward, but not upward. Thus they have the effect of two harrows in curved ground, and of one weighty harrow in a plain. The harrow is composed of six bulls, each four feet long, three inches broad, and three and a half deep. The interval between the bulls nine and a half inches; which makes the breadth of the whole harrow, including the length of the crank, to be five feet five inches. Each bull has five teeth, nine inches free under the wood, and ten inches asunder. The weight of each tooth is two pounds, the rest as in the former. 

The third consists also of two parts, connected together like that last mentioned. It has eight bulls, each four feet long, two and a half inches broad, broad, and three deep. The interval between the bull sis eight inches; and the breadth of the whole harrow, including the length of the crank, is six feet four inches. In each bull are inserted five teeth, seven inches free under the wood, and ten and a half inches asunder, each tooth weighing one pound. The rest as in the two former harrows. 
These harrows I hold to be a considerable improvement. They ply to be a considerable improvement. They ply to curved ground like two connected harrows, and when drawn in one plain, they are in effect one harrow of double weight, which makes the teeth pierce deep into the ground. The imperfection of common harrows, mentioned above, will suggest the advantages of the set of harrows here recommended. The first is proper for harrowing land that has lain long after ploughing, as where oats are sown on a winter-furrow, and in general for harrowing stiff land: it pierces deep into the soil by its long teeth, and divides it minutely. The second is intended for covering the seed: its long teeth lays the seed deeper than the common harrow can do; which is no slight advantage. By placing the seed considerably under the surface, the young plants are, on the one hand, protected from too much heat, and, on the other, have sufficiency of moisture. At the same time, the seed is so well covered that none of it is lost. Seed slightly covered by the common harrows, wants moisture, and is burnt up by the sun; beside, that a proportion of it is left upon the surface uncovered. The third harrow supplies what may be deficient in the second, by smoothing the surface, and covering the seed more accurately. The three harrows make the ground finer and finer, as heckles do lint; or, to use a different comparison, the first harrow makes the bed, the second lays the seed in it, the third smooths the cloathes. These advantages are certain. If any man doubt, let him try the experiment, and he will find the effect of them in his crops. I can say so with assurance from the experience of many years. They have another advantage not inferior to any mentioned; they mix manure with the soil more intimately than can be done by common harrows; and on such intimate mixture depends greatly the effect of manure. To conclude, these harrows are contrived to answer an established principle in agriculture, That fertility depends greatly on pulverising the soil, and on an intimate mixture of manure with it, whether dung, lime, marl, or any other.”

What do you think of Kaimes’ views on the roller?

A number of the implement makers held a range of formal events of the work staff. These include visits, dances and other events in the community. They were much looked forward to.

We have attached a number of accounts of these social events from 1900 onwards. They provide a range of insights into the human side of the businesses and their employees and how they came together.

One business that had arranged a number of events for its staff was Ben Reid & Co., Aberdeen. It held a range of annual events. An account from the Aberdeen Press and Journal on 10 February 1900 also provides information on the development of the business:

“The annual assembly of the employees of Messrs Ben Reid and Co., engineers, nurserymen, and seedsmen, was held in the Trades Hall, Aberdeen, last night, under the presidency of Mr Alex Hay. There was a large attendance, and amongst those present were Mr Geo. Duncan, manager of the engineering works, and Mr Morrison Barclay, implement maker. After tea had been served, The Chairman, in the course of some remarks, said he had many pleasant recollections in connection with the Bon-Accord Works, and those employed and associated with them. His recollections went back for about forty years, and before the Bon Accord Works, where they now stood, were built. The engineering department of the firm was founded about 42 years ago by Ben. Reid and Co., seedsmen and nurserymen, a firm that had been in existence for about a century. The implement and engineering works were started in a small way, and carried on under the able management of the late respected Mr Geo. Reid, with whom for many years he was closely associated. The connecting link of the combined business was broken on Mr Geo. Reid’s death in 1881, and they were carried on separately for about sixteen years. After the decease of Mr Anderson-who at the time of his death was sole partner of the Bon Accord Works-the firm purchased the engineering establishment from Mr Anderson’s trustees in 1896, so that the business of seedsmen, nurserymen, and agricultural engineers was again combined and consolidated. In conclusion, the chairman said it was very gratifying to the firm that they had such a body of first class, reliable, and capable workmen in all the departments. (Applause). A most enjoyable programme of songs etc was then gone through, being contributed to by Miss Gordon, Miss B. Bruce, Miss E. Willox, Misses W. Wilson, Griffan, W. McWillie, and W. Murdoch. The accompaniments were tastefully played by Miss Bremner. At the close of the concert dancing was taken part in, the duties of M.C.’s being ably discharged by Messrs Kinnaird, Robertson, Cormack, and McHardy. The success of the function was in a great measure due to the admirable arrangements made by the committee, with Mr W. Mitchell as secretary.”

In July 1915 Newlands and Sons of Linlithgow arranged an excursion for the workers. These excursions were commonplace in central Scotland. They tended to go to fairly local places. They could enjoy the journey and the place where they visited. The Linlithgowshire Gazette of 23 July provides a favourable account of the excursion:

“On Saturday last the employees of Messrs Newlands and Sons, agricultural implement makers, along with their friends, enjoyed the first excursion organised by the firm, when their venue was Callander, which they reached in Mr Galbraith’s motor char-a-banc. They were lucky enough to be favoured by weather which was good, and kept steadily favourable throughout the whole day, when they were journeying through the beautiful country to their destination. A halt was made at Stirling, giving the party an opportunity to wander through this historic town. The day’s outing was voted thoroughly enjoyable.”

Newlands and Sons also contributed to the annual festival in Linlithgow. In June 1929 the Linlithgowshire gazette recorded its contribution to the march:”… The advent of the employees of Messrs Alexander Newlands and Sons Ltd, implement makers, in the ranks of the Marchers’ procession was an occasion for the introduction of something new. This took the form of an agricultural “tractor” and motor lorry, the latter being bedecked with artistically arranged paper colours and models of agricultural implements. Mottoes were legion, and included “Speed the Plough”. “Good equipment makes a good farmer better”. “Roll our way”. The “tractor” was “manned” by two men and a gaily attired fair lady. This was an outstanding display.”

Social events also included an annual dance and wist drive. Whist drives were extremely popular social events in the past. Sellars of Huntly were one business that held an annual staff social. The Aberdeen Press and Journal provided an amount of the social in December 1936:

“Guests at the annual whist drive and dance of the employees of Messrs George Sellar & Son, agricultural implement makers, Huntly, which took place in Huntly Hotel Hall, were welcomed by Mr Robert T. Sellar on behalf of Mrs Sellar and himself. He remarked that since they met a year ago industry in the country generally had been prospering, and unemployment figures were very much reduced. Farmers were finding it very difficult to get labour, as many men had gone into the military and air service, and consequently there had been a bigger demand for tractors.”

Another business that had an annual dance was Barclay, Ross and Hutchison, agricultural implement makers and seedsmen, Aberdeen. An account of its annual dance from the Aberdeen Press and Journal on 20 February 1937, suggests that this was given to thank the staff for their support during the year. It appeared to be a much enjoyed event:

“The staff of Messrs Barclay, Ross and Hutchison, agricultural implement makers and seedsmen, Aberdeen, were thanked for the loyal support and co-operation they had given during the year by Mr T. Hutchison last night, on the occasion of the staff’s annual dance. A company of about 140 enjoyed whilst, supper and dancing in the Palais de Danse. Mr T. Hutchison presided at supper, and along with him were Mr M. Heddle, county road surveyor, and Mrs Heddle; Mr G. Donald, lecturer in the principles of agriculture, and Mrs Donald; and Mr A. A. Girling. Mrs Hutchison handed over the whist prizes to the following-women- 1. Mrs D. Kinghorn, 2. Mrs G. Watt, 3. Mrs N. Salmon, 4. Miss C. Reid (after a tie with Mrs A. McCombie); consolation, Miss M. Cruickshank. Men-1. A. Smart, 2. Gordon Watt, 3. T. Hutchison, 4. A. Farquharson (after a tie with A. A. Girling); consolation, E. Dawson; travelling prize, A. Smart. For their interest in the gathering and the staff, Mr and Mrs Hutchison were cordially thanked on the call of Mr Girling. The arrangements were made by a committee, of which Mr A. Rae was secretary.”

Do you recollect any social events with the implement makers?

By the 1790s the “Agricultural Revolution” had been underway in Scotland for a number of decades. Fields were being enclosed and levelled, trees planted; the appearance of the landscape was being radically altered. With this change there started to be some technological changes in the tools and implements made. The most significant was the development of the iron plough – ploughs made all of iron rather than wood and wood and iron – which was drawn by the two horses rather than the team of oxen. 

During this “Agricultural Revolution” there emerged a small number of agricultural writers who commented on the process of change, their observations on the new practices and gave advice to farmers and landowners on the improvement process. The most noted was Lord Kames, Henry Homes, renowned for his book “The Gentleman Farmer: being an attempt to improve agriculture, by subjecting it to the test of rational principles”. It was first published in 1776. It was to become a best-seller, going through 6 editions from that time until the early 1800s. No other Scottish agricultural book managed that feat. In that book Kaimes shows himself to be a practical farmer and to have given great consideration to agriculture and developing a set of rational principles on which it could operate. His book includes accounts of the most well-used implements of the time. 

Kaimes was critical of some of the implements and machines, but he also provided a range of views on how to make them as good and effective as possible. For this reason, his accounts are worth quoting to show what was being used, what was seen to be effective and what changes could be made to them. 

The following is an account from Kaimes on the roller, published in the 1798 edition of his book: 

“The roller is an instrument of capital use in husbandry, though scarcely known in ordinary practice; and, where introduced, it is commonly so slight as to have very little effect. 

Rollers are of different kinds, stone, yetling, wood. Each of these has its advantages. I recommend the last, constructed in the following manner. Take the body of a tree, six feet ten inches long, the larger the better, made as near a perfect cylinder as possible. Surround this cylinder with three rows of fillies, one row in the middle, and one at each end. Line these fillies with planks of wood equally long with the roller, and so narrow as to ply into a circle. Bind them fast together with iron rings. Beech wood is the best, being hard and tough. It has a double pair of shafts for two horses abreast. These are sufficient in level ground: in ground not level, four horses may be necessary. The roller without the shafts ought to weigh two hundred stone Dutch; and the large diameter makes this greater weight easy to be drawn. 

With respect to the season for rolling. Rolling wheat in the month of April, is an important article in loose soil; as the winter-rains pressing down the soil may leave many roots in the air. Barley ought to be rolled immediately after the seed is sown; especially where grass seeds are sown with it. The best time for rolling a gravelly soil, is as soon as the mould is so dry as to bear the roller without clinging to it. A clay soil ought neither to be tilled, harrowed, nor rolled, till the field be perfectly dry. And as rolling a clay soil is chiefly intended for smoothing the surface, a dry season may be patiently waited for, even till the crop be three inches high. There is the greater reason for this precaution, because much rain immediately after rolling is apt to cake the surface when drought follows. Oats in a light soil may be rolled immediately after the seed is sown, unless the ground be so wet as to cling to the roller. In a clay soil, delay rolling till the grain be above ground. The proper time for growing grass-seeds in an oat-field, is when the grain is three inches high and rolling should immediately succeed whatever the soil be. Flax ought to be rolled immediately after sowing. This should never be neglected; for it makes the seed push equally, and prevents after growth, the bad effect of which is visible in every step of the process for dressing flax. The first year’s crop of sown grasses ought to be rolled as early the next spring as the ground will bear the horses. It fixes all the roots precisely as in the case of wheat. Rolling the second and third crops in loose soil, is an useful work; though not so essential as rolling the first crop. 

The effects of rolling properly used, are substantial. In the first place, it renders a loose soil more compact and solid; which encourages the growth of plants, by making the earth clap close to every part of every root. Nor need we be afraid of rendering the soil too compact; for no roller that can be drawn by two or four horses will have that effect. In the next place, rolling keeps in the moisture, and hinders drought to penetrate. This effect is of great moment. In a dry season, it may make the difference of a good crop, or no crop, especially where the soil is light. In the third place, the rolling grass-seeds, beside the foregoing advantages, facilitates the mowing for hay. And it is to be hoped, that the advantage of this practice will lead farmers to mow their corn also, which will increase the quantity of straw, both for food and for the dunghill.

There is a small roller for breaking clods in land intended for barley. The common way is to break clods with a mell, which requires many hands, and is laborious work. This roller performs the work more effectually, and at much less expence; let a harrowing precede, which will break the clods a little; and after lying a day or a day and a half to dry, this roller will dissolve them into powder. This however does not supersede the use of the great roller after all the other articles are finished, in order to make the soil compact, and to keep out the summer drought. A stone roller feet long, and fifteen inches diameter, drawn by one horse, is sufficient to break clods that are easily dissolved by pressure. The use of this roller in preparing ground for barley is gaining ground daily, even among ordinary tenants, who have become sensible both of the expense and toil of using mells. But in a clay soil, the clods are sometimes too firm, or too tough, to be subdued by so light a machine. In that case, a roller of the same size, but of a different construction, is necessary. It ought to be surrounded with circles of iron, six inches asunder, and seven inches deep; which will cut even the most stubborn clods, and reduce them to powder. Let not this instrument be considered as a finical refinement. In a stiff clay, it may make the different of a plentiful or scanty crop.”

What do you think of Kaimes’ advice on the roller in 1796?

The Ordnance Survey Namebooks provide information about place and building names at the time that the Ordnance Survey was undertaking its first edition maps between the mid 1850s to the mid 1860s. Each county was surveyed at different times within this period with those of East Lothian, Fife and Kinross being early ones and Inverness-shire, Aberdeenshire and Orkney being among some of the later ones. 

The Namebooks provide a snapshot at the premises of the Scottish agricultural implement and machine makers at a time when the sector was changing rapidly and the number of new businesses increasing rapidly. For some of them, it shows their trades and premises before they became closely associated with the making of agricultural implements and machines. 

The following are the agricultural implement works that were recorded in the Namebooks from the 1850s and 1860s across Scotland. Their small number is especially noticeable. Most were known by other names. 

Aberdeenshire – Agricultural implement works, Factory Brae, Huntly. A large block of buildings in which are manufactured ploughs, harrows, and various other agricultural implements. Messrs Sellar & Son, proprietors. 

Lanarkshire – Agricultural implement manufactory, near Townhead, Bothwell Parish. A large house of zinc and iron having skylights in the roof. There is a large yard connected with it & having tram road joining from the “Clydesdale Junction Railway”. Every description of agricultural implements are made here – both wood and iron. Locomotives are also made, but they are for agricultural purposes. Wrought by the proprietor in company with others – J. Gray & Co. 

Lanarkshire – Crofthead, Bothwell Parish. A superior house having several dwellings in the same property, as well as an agricultural implement manufactory, belonging to & partly occupied by Mr J. Waddell. The name is well known. 

Lanarkshire – Agricultural Implement Manufactory (Uddingston) – a manufactory for producing all descriptions of implements used in agriculture. The same factory was famous in the county for its style of implements under the late Mr Wilkie. It was partly burned recently & is at present idle. The property of J. Waddell & Sons, of Crofthead. 

Lanarkshire – Agricultural Implement Manufactory, Shettleston-long rows of houses used as workshops & having a yard attached. Every description of agricultural implements are made here, including ploughs, harrows, thrashing machines, shovels, spades &c. Also every description of wooden materials used for agricultural purposes. Engine boilers are also made, but only when specially ordered. The principal & almost sole trade being agricultural implements. 

The Name Books remind us of the importance of local history in looking at the Scottish agricultural implement makers and the need to link people and place. They also remind us of the need to look at the names of businesses and business premises. They also show us how well (or otherwise) the large scale making of agricultural implements was during the mid nineteenth century.

Henry Home, Lord Kaimes could be regarded as the most prominent agricultural writer of the eighteen the century. His “The Gentleman Farmer: being an attempt to improve agriculture, by subjecting it to the test of rational principles”, first published in 1776, was a best seller and went through six editions into the early 1800s.

Kaimes includes descriptions of the most widely used agricultural implements and machines. He was both positive but also critical of them. He made suggestions on how they could be improved.

Kaimes provided an extensive account of the ploughs used in Scotland. It is worth quoting at length to show some of the recent history of that important implement:

“This is the most useful implement that ever was invented. It is of more use than even the spinning wheel: for men may make a shift for clo[a]thing without that instrument, but a country cannot be populous without the plough.

The only plough used in Scotland, till of late, is a strong instrument, about thirteen feet from the handles to the extremity of the beam, and commonly above four feet from the back end of the head to the point of the sock. It is termed the Scotch plough, to distinguish it from other forms; and it needs no particular description, as it may be seen in every field. It may well be termed the Scotch Plough; for of all forms it is the fittest for breaking up stiff and rough land, especially where stones abound; and no less fit for strong clays hardened by drought. The length of its head gives it a firm hold of the ground: its weight prevents it from being thrown out by stones: the length of the handles gives the ploughman great command to direct its motion: and by the length of its head, and of its mouldboard, it lays the furrow-slice cleverly over.

The Scotch plough was contrived during the infancy of agriculture, and was well contrived: in the soils above described, it has not an equal. But in tender soil it is improper, because it adds greatly to the expense of ploughing, without any counterbalancing benefit. The length of the head and mouldboard encrease the friction, and consequently it requires a greater number of oxen or horses than are necessary in a shorter plough. There is another particular in its form, that resists the draught: the mouldboard makes an angle with the sock, instead of making a line with it gently curving backward. There is an objection against it no less solid, that it does not stir the ground perfectly: the hinder part of the wrist rises a foot above the sole of the head; and the earth that lies immediately below the hinder part, is left unstirred. This is ribbing land below the surface, similar to what is done by ignorant farmers on the surface. These defects must be submitted to in a soil that requires a strong heavy plough; but may be avoided in a cultivated soil by a plough differently constructed. Of all the ploughs fitted for a cultivated soil free of stones, I boldly recommend a plough introduced into Scotland about twelve years ago, by James Small in Blackadder Mount, Berwickshire: which is now in general request; and with great reason, as it avoids all the defects of the Scotch plough. The shortness of its head and of its mouldboard lessen the friction greatly: from the point of the sock to the back part of the head it is only thirty inches; and the whole length, from the point of the beam to the end of the handles, between eight and nine feet. The sock and mouldboard make one line gently curving; and consequently gather no earth. Instead of a wrist, the under edge of the mouldboard is in one plain with the sole of the head; which makes a wide furrow; without leaving any part unstirred. It is termed the chain-plough, because it is drawn by an iron chain fixed to the back part of the beam immediately before the coulter. This has two advantages: first, by means of a muzzle it makes the plough go deep, or shallow; and, next, it stresses the beam less than if fixed to the point, and therefore a slender beam is sufficient. This plough may well be considered as a capital improvement, not only by saving expence, but by making better work. It is proper for loams, for carse clays, and, in general, for every sort of tender soil free of stones. It is even proper for opening up pasture ground, where the soil has been formerly well cultivated.To finish an account of the plough, I must add a word about the sock. A spiked sock is used in the Scotch plough, and is essential in stony land. But a feathered sock ought always to be used in tender soil, free of stones: it cuts the earth in the furrow, and makes neat work. It is indispensable in ground where roots abound, as it cuts them below the surface, and prevents their growing. I esteem the feathered sock to be a valuable improvement.

The industrious farmer would even borrow money to clear his ground of stones, in order to introduce it: in a twenty-years lease, the profit of it would pay the expence tenfold.

Some ploughs are made with two small wheels running in the furrow, in order to take off the friction of the head; and this plough is recommended in a book, intitled, The complete farmer. But all complicated ploughs are baubles, and this as much as any. The pivots of such wheels are always going wrong; and beside, they are choked so with earth, as to increase the friction instead of diminishing it. If we look back thirty years, ploughs of different constructions did not enter into a dream. The Scotch plough was universally used, and no other was known. There was no less ignorance as to the number of cattle necessary for this plough. In the south of Scotland, six oxen and two horses were universal, and in the north, ten oxen, sometimes twelve. The first attempt to lessen the number of oxen, was in Berwickshire. The low part of that country abounds with stone, clay, and marl, the most substantial of all manures, which had been long used by one or two gentlemen. About twenty-five years ago it acquired reputation, and spready rapidly. As two horses and two oxen were employed in every marl-cart, the farmer, in summer fallowing and in preparing land for marl, was confined to four oxen and two horses.

And as that manure afforded plenty of sufficient straw for oxen, the farmer was surprised to find, that four oxen did better now than six formerly. Marling, however, a laborious work, proceeded slowly, till people were taught by a noted farmer in that country, what industry can perform by means of power properly applied. It was reckoned a mighty talk to marl five or six acres in a year. That gentleman, by plenty of red clover for his working cattle, accomplished the marling fifty acres in a summer, once fifty-four. Having so much occasion for oxen, he tried with success two oxen and two horses in a plough; and that practice became general in Berwickshire. Now here appears with lustre the advantage of the chain plough. The great friction occasioned in the Scotch plough by a long head, and by the angle it makes with the mould board, necessarily requires two oxen and two horses, whatever the soil be. The friction is so much less in the chain plough, that two good horses are found sufficient in every soil that is proper for it. And as good luck seldom comes alone more than bad, the reducing the draught to a couple of horses has another advantage, that of rendering a driver unnecessary; no slight saving at present, where a servant’s wages and maintenance are very smart articles. This saving on every plough, where two horses and two oxen were formerly used, will be the strictest computation be fifteen pounds sterling yearly; and where four horses were used, no less than twenty pounds sterling. There is now scarce to be seen in the low county of Berwickshire a plough with more than two horses; which undoubtedly in time will become general. I know but of one further improvement, that of using two oxen instead of two horses. That draught has been employed with success in several places; and the saving is so great, that it must force its way every where. I boldly affirm, that no soil stirred in a proper season, can ever require no more than two horses and two oxen, in a plough, even supposing the stiffest clay. In all other soils, two good horses, or two good oxen abreast, may be relied on for every operation of the chain plough.

A chain plough of a smaller size than ordinary, drawn by a single horse, is of all the most proper for horse ploughing, supposing the land to be mellow, which it ought to be for that operation. It is sufficient for making furrows to receive the dung, for ploughing the drills after dunging, and for hoeing the crop.

A still smaller plough of the same kind, I warmly recommend for a kitchen garden. It can be reduced to the smallest size, by being made of iron; and where the land is properly dressed for a kitchen-garden, and iron plough drawn by a horse of the smallest size will save much spade work. Strange is the effect of custom without thought! Thirty years ago, a kitchen-garden was an article of luxury merely, because at that time there could be no cheaper food than oat-meal. At present, the farmer maintains his servants at double expence, as the price of oat meal is doubled; and yet he has no notion of a kitchen garden, more than he had thirty years ago. He never thinks, that living partly on cabbage, kail, turnip, carrot, would save much oat meal: nor does he ever think, that change of food is more wholesome, than vegetables alone, or oat-meal alone. I need not recommend potatoes, which in our late scanty crops of corn have proved a great blessing: without them the labouring poor would frequently have been reduced to a starving condition.” What do you think of Kaimes’ account of the plough?

The photos were taken at BA Stores, May 2019.

Many of our readers will be familiar with the name of James A. Cuthbertson of Biggar (@James A Cuthbertson Ltd). Today Cubby’s make snow ploughs, spreaders and a range of other equipment for winter conditions But the name of Cuthbertson was also associated with innovative agricultural engineering through for example its Water Buffalo, draining ploughs and machines and its bracken cutter. 

The Biggar & Upper Clydesdale Museum is celebrating Cubby’s 85th birthday with an exhibition on the company, highlighting its development and the extraordinary man behind it. This free exhibition runs from 11 December to 27 March. Further information at: https://www.biggarmuseumtrust.co.uk

The company stated to trade in 1936 under the name James A. Cuthbertson, Biggar. It became a limited company in 1946 . In 1937 the company described itself as agricultural engineers. By 1946 it was also a general engineer, and in 1948 agricultural engineers and contractors. An advert in the Farming News on 15 December 1946 provides clues to the early specialities of the company. It described itself as “pioneers in mechanised draining”. The development and production of draining machinery and accessories was to become intimately associated with the Cuthbertson name.

In 1948 the company entered a drainage plough for the new implement award of the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland. It was awarded a silver medal for it. The company described the plough as thus:

“The plough will cut open drains to a maximum depth of twenty-two inches by a maximum width of thirty inches, at speeds varying from fifteen to thirty chains per hour, according to the nature of the ground, The plough consists of a simple sided mouldboard mounted at the rearward end of a box-girder beam, the whole being carried on a transport frame when not in operation and stabilised by a hinged sliding shaft whilst working. Beam and transport assembly are hinged about a steel rocker-pin, thus allowing the depth of the drain cut to be automatically controlled, irrespective of local undulations on the ground surface over which the transport wheels pass. Two steel cutter discs are pivotally mounted on the rocker-shaft, which is attached to the forward end of the beam, and a system of semi-elliptic springing allows the discs to rid over any obstruction and return to the pre-determined depth required. A hinged drawbar mounted at the extreme front of the beam gives a rough adjustment for depth control and has incorporated in it a shearing pin device which prevents damage to the implement should an immovable obstruction be encountered. The beam and components assembled thereon are raised into the carrying position by means of a steel cable, which should be operated by a suitable power winch mounted on the tractor. 

A spring-loaded catch is automatically engaged when the beam assembly has been raised to sufficient height and can be disengaged by the tractor driver without leaving the driving position. Any pre-determined depth of cut within the limits of the plough may be obtained by tilting the mouldboard by means of an adjusting screw situated at the extreme rear of the implement. This has the effect of altering the angle at which the share enters the soil in relation to the line of traction and so varying the depth of cut obtained. The spoil discharged by the mouldboard from the drain is removed a distance of one foot six inches back from the side of the drain by means of an adjustable, articulated pusher-blade which is mounted to the rear of the mouldboard.”

Another silver medal was to come for the company’s deep drainage plough with tile laying attachment in 1950:

“The Cuthbertson deep draining machine is designed to be hauled behind a heavy crawler tractor of 70hp to cut a drain up to a depth of 3ft, with a bottom width of 8in and a top width of 2ft 4in at the maximum depth, and to lay the tiles in perfect position, close and in line. The drain section is left ready to be covered in after the operation. The speed of the operation is 22 yards per minute.

The machine is a mild steel, electrically welded fabrication, except for the cutting share and wearing heel, which are of chilled cast steel. The machine consists primarily of a beam, transport frame and wheel, side and centre spring-loaded cutting discs, and a mould board tso shaped that it lifts the soil from the drain and deposits it on one side of the drain.

The tile laying attachment is attached directly behind the mouldboard, and the tiles are fed into this by hand from a trailer travelling alongside. The weight of the tiles being constantly fed into the attachment keeps the end butted closely together.
Automatic depth control is incorporated in the machine, as without this factor it would not be possible to lay the tiles directly behind the machine, as the bottom of the drain would require to be levelled by hand. The bottom of the drain is in “V” formation to facilitate the centralising of all sizes of tiles in the drain.
The machine is lifted from the working position to the carrying position on the frame by means by means of a wire rope connected to a winch on the tractor. The wire rope is not in use when the plough is actually working, as the wheels can rise and fall, following the undulations of the ground, without altering the level of the drain being cut.”

The company also invented a number of other key machines for reclamation and forestry work. They included a bracken cutter (which won a silver medal from the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland in 1949), a grass land rejuvenator and lime spreader in 1948, a double purpose forestry planting plough, double furrow, in 1949, and a lime spreading outfit in 1951. The company was also well known for the “Cuthbertson” half track for Fordson Major conversion, in 1951. It also invented and made the “Cuthbertson” trailer track in 1952.

The photos were taken outside the Biggar & Upper Clydesdale Museum on the opening day of the exhibition, 11 December 2021.

By the mid nineteenth century when Scotland was being intensively mapped by the Ordnance Survey, its surveyors were out and about on the land, visiting farms and other settlements, recording the names of every building and feature. In their accounts a number of them referred to the presence of thrashing mills as part of the farm steadings.

The OS name books record that in the county of Fife there were a number of steam threshing machines erected at the farm steadings. These include: 

Lochran, Cleish – A good farm house and steading including a thrashing mill worked by steam, and an excellent farm of arable land attached. Occupier Mr Tod, proprietor Mr Patrick Adam esq. 
Skeddoway, Dysart – A first class farm house having extensive and well constructed offices with a steam thrashing mill attached. 
Cuttlehill, Aberdour – A near country mansion delightfully situated on an eminence, commanding an extensive view. It is well sheltered with young plantings which are tastefully laid. A little north of the house are extensive out offices, a threshing mill (worked by steam) and [?] works. In the front of the mansion, or a little south, is a small wooded lawn, on the north west side of it a fruit and vegetable garden. The property of the heir of the late Robert Wemyss. Occupier Mr Burns, late factor of the estate. 
Carskurdo – This is a large farm steading with cottars houses. The thrashing mill driven by steam power. It is occupied by Mr David Yool, Blebo Mills, Dura Den, and the proprietor is Mr Gullane, Dunfermline. 
Nydie, St Andrews – This is a very large farm steading with dwelling house and garden. The thrashing machine is driven by steam power. The tenant is Mr Robert Walker and the proprietor is Captain Robert Bethune of Blebo. 

Blebo Mains, Kemback – This is a large and very convenient farm steading with dwelling house and garden. The thrashing machines is driven by steam. The farm is occupied by Mr Walker and the proprietor is Alexander Beaton esq, Blebo. 
Newbigging, Ceres – This is a large farm steading with dwelling house of two stories and small garden. The thrashing mill is driven by steam. The whole of the farm buildings are of recent erection, and occupied by Mr John Walker. The proprietor is J. A. Thomson esq of Charleton. Pittillock, Arngask – An excellent farm house with commodious outbuildings, and a steam thrashing mill attached. Occupied by Mr Clark. 
Rires – A large farm house and office houses all in good repair with steam power. Thrashing mill in good working order attached to these. Is a large farm of ground, the property of Mr James Sith (farmer). 
Dalniel Den – A large and well built farm house and office houses with a steam power thrashing mill all in good repair the property of General Lindsay of Balcarres & occupied by Mr Bogie, farmer. 

Letham, Scoonie – A farm house two stories with suitable offices and a farm of arable land containing about 400 acres attached. There is a thrashing machine propelled by steam power on the premises, the whole held under a lease of 19 years from George Simpson esq, Pitcorthie by Mr James Swan. 
Sunnybraes, Largo – A farm house two stories high with suitable offices and a farm of land containing upwards of 200 acres attached. There is a thrashing machine propelled by steam power on the premises and held under a lease of 19 years from the Standard Life Assurance Co. by Mr James Forgan. 
Kirkland Farm, Wemyss – A good farm house and offices with about 138 Scotch acres attached. There is a thrashing machine on the premises propelled by a steam engine of 5 horse power. It is the property of Admiral Wemyss of Wemyss Castle and occupied by Mr Andrew Lawrie. 
Cavelstone, Kinross – An excellent farm house with extensive outbuildings and steam threshing mill attached about a mile south of Kinross.

By the mid nineteenth century when Scotland was being intensively mapped by the Ordnance Survey, its surveyors were out and about on the land, visiting farms and other settlements, recording the names of every building and feature. In their accounts a number of the surveyors refer to the presence of thrashing mills as part of the farm steadings.

Their evidence can be used to gain a better idea of the distribution and presence of steam (and water driven) threshing machines at farms. Some parts of Scotland had numerous steam threshing machines erected at the farm steadings. 

In West Lothian, these were largely found in the coastal parishes such as Abercorn, Dalmeny, as well as Kirkliston and Linlithgow. The OS name book entries are interesting for the information they reveal about the farms on which they were erected, the state of the farm steadings, information on the owner, and sometimes the size of the farm. In a few cases there is some information about the actual mill, including its size and horse power. For example, at Easter Dalmeny, Dalmeny the mill was “very fine portable one of eight horse power”. 

The following are the farms on which steam threshing mills were found in West Lothian, according to the OS name books: 

Wester Duntarvie, Abercorn – this is a large farm steading with dwelling house of two storeys and garden; the thrashing machine is driven by steam. Mr James Bartholemew, farmer, is the tenant and the Earl of Hopetoun is the proprietor. 
Echline, Dalmeny – A good dwelling house two stories high and slates, with extensive farm offices, and a thrashing mill worked by steam, attached-also a row of cottages occupied by hinds. There is a good garden, and a lathe arable farm also attached. It is the property of James Dundas esq of Dundas Castle. And in the occupation of George Thomson. 
Easter Dalmeny, Dalmeny – A large farmstead consisting of an excellent swelling house two stories high & slated. Attached to it are extensive outbuildings with a thrashing mill worked by steam, the engine is a very fine portable one of eight horse power. There is a small portion of ornamental ground & garden attached to the dwelling. The farm consists of 230 acres & is the property of Lord Roseberry. 
Westfield, Dalmeny – A good farm house with suitable offices including thrashing mill worked by steam power, also a row of cottages occupied by farm servants, a garden and a good arable farm attached. Occupied by Mr Stevenson. The property of James Dundas esq of Dundas Castle. 

Dolphington, Dalmeny – This is a very large farm steading with dwelling house and garden occupied by the foreman. The thrashing mill is driven by steam. The present tenant is Mr Buchan distiller, Kirkliston. Hope Vere esq is the proprietor. 
Niddry Mains, Kirkliston-A good dwelling house two stories high in good repair and slated with an extensive farm steading- a thrashing mill worked by steam – a garden and a large arable farm attached, the property of the Earl of Hopetoun – and in the occupation of Andrew Millar. 
Humbie, Kirkliston – This is a very large farm steading with thrashing machine driven by stream. The dwelling house is two stories high, to the north of which is the garden. Mr J. Dudgeon is tenant and the Earl of Hopetoun proprietor. 
Niddrie, Kirkliston – This is a large farm steading with dwelling house and garden and thrashing machine driven by steam. Messrs J. & G. Young, Edinburgh, are the tenants, and the proprietor is the Earl of Hopetoun. 
Wheatlands, Kirkliston – This is a very large farm steading with thrashing machine driven by steam. The dwelling house is of two stories, and there is a garden. The present tenant is Mr Dickson and the proprietor is Mr Hutchson, Carlowrie Castle. 
Boghall, Linlithgow – A very fine farmstead, south of Springfield Chemical Works, consisting of cattle sheds, barns &c and having a thrashing mill worked by steam – two small dwellings form part of the steading & are occupied by a labourer & the overlooker of the farm. It is the property and is farmed by Mr William Wilkie, Ormiston Hill. 

Gateside, Linlithgow – A large and commodious dwelling house two storeys high, in good repair and slated, with extensive farm offices, including a thrashing mill worked by steam and three rows of cottages of an inferior description attached. It is the property of the Earl of Hopetoun and in the occupation of Mr W. Wilson. 
Oatridge, Linlithgow – A good dwelling house two storeys high and slated with a court of farm offices including a thrashing mill worked by steam, a good garden and an extensive arable farm attached and is part of the Binny Estate. 
Blackfaulds – This name applies to a large and commodious farm house or mansion house two storeys high with suitable offices including thrashing machine propelled by steam power all in good repair. There is a large harden attached, with a good farm of arable land. The property & residence of William Blackhall esqr. 

Gowanbank, Torphichen – A large and commodious farm house, three storeys high, with suitable offices, and a thrashing machine, propelled by steam, all in very excellent repair. There is a large garden, a small portion of ornamental ground, and about a hundred acres of arable land attached. Proprietor and occupier Mr Gowan. 
Stankards, Uphall – A large farmstead. The dwelling house is only one storey high and slated with a. garden in rear. The outbuildings are large & extensive, having a thrashing mill attached, worked by steam; the whole is in. good repair – the occupier is Mr James Ford holding a farm of 196 acres Scotch. It is the property of the Earl of Buchan, Amondell.

The photos were taken at the Aberdeenshire Farming Museum, August 2018.