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D is for …

Dairy Supply Co. Ltd, 7 Grassmarket, Edinburgh
Dairyority, 129 West Graham Street, Glasgow
The Dairy Utensil Supplies Co., 1 Wellington Place, Leith
Dalgetty Brothers, engineers, 70 Hutcheon Street, Aberdeen
Jonathan Davidson & Co, steelyard and weighing machine manufacturers, East London Street, Edinburgh
William Davidson, Commercial Road, Hawick, Roxburghshire
James Davie & Sons, ironfounders and engineers, Stirling Foundry, Orchard Place, Stirling
Alexander Dey, 35 Church Street, Huntly, Aberdeenshire
G. Dick, The Square, Meigle, Perthshire
Dickie Brothers, Forth Street, Stirling
William Dickie & Sons, Victoria Works, East Kilbride, Lanarkshire
The D. L. Motor Manufacturing Co. Hamilton Road, Motherwell, Lanarkshire
Dodds & Clark, Somnerfield Works, Haddington, East Lothian
Dodds & Rignall, engineers and agricultural implement agents, 35 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, and 22 Corn Exchange, Cupar, Fife
John Doe Ltd, agricultural implement makers, 20 Caledonian Road, Perth
Daniel Douglas, Westfield Works, Auchterarder, Perthshire
Alexander Douglas (reapers & rollers), Dalrymple Street, Stranraer, Wigtownshire
John Drummond & Son (thrashing and reaping and grass seed dressing machines), Barrhill Road, Old Cumnock, Ayrshire
Matthew Dunlop, implement maker and agent, 8 Graham Square, Glasgow; works, Abercrombie Street, Glasgow
Robert Duncan, ironfounder, Patrick Foundry, Partick, Glasgow
John Duncanson (harrows &c), 118 High Street, Dunbar, East Lothian
Alexander D. Dunbar (ploughs, cultivators and harrows), 35 Blackfriars Road, Elgin, Morayshire
Andrew Duff & Sons, engineers (Kemp & Nicholson’s works), Stirling
James R. Duguid, agricultural machinery manufacturer, Cultercullen, Udny, Aberdeenshire
A Duncan, joiner and body builder (tractor cabs), Inchbroom, Clarkston, Nigg
H. V. Duncan, dairy utensil manufacturer, 99 Constitution Street, Leith
Matthew Dunlop, implement makers and agents, 8 Graham Square, Glasgow

The above is a selection of agricultural implement and machine makers with the surname starting with the letter D. Some of our readers will be familiar with a number of them.

One of the well-known thrashing machine makers in Ayrshire was John Drummond & Son, Barrhill Road, Old Cumnock, Ayrshire. It was in business from 1860 until at least 1930. Until 1913 its trades included agricultural implement maker, mechanical engineer, smith and smith and farrier. It was an exhibitor at the Royal Highland Show from 1860 to 1903: it exhibited in seven of the eight show districts; it did not attend the show in Inverness. A number of its manufactures were recognized by the Royal Highland Society of Scotland: it received an award of 5 sovereigns for best thrashing machine for two or more horses in 1860; a bronze medal for second best cheese press in 1860; a silver medal for collection in 1870; a minor silver medal for two horse power thrashing machine with horse works complete in 1875.

Andrew Duff & Sons, Stirling, first advertised in the Scottish Farmer on 25 December 1925. It was located at 28 Forth Street in the town. When Kemp & Nicholson, the well-known makers, also in Forth Street, ceased business in 1933 it moved into its premises, and continued to trade until at least 1858. The business described itself as an agricultural engineer. In 1958 it was an agent for Bamfords.

Another business in Stirling was Dickie Brothers Forth Street, Stirling. It occupied the Forth Engineering Works, Forth Street, Stirling from at least 1910 to 1913. It was also an agricultural engineer and agricultural implement maker. It specialized in hay presses, thrashing mills and engines. It advertised in the North British Agriculturists in 1912 and 1913 and also exhibited at the Royal Highland Show in these years.

In previous posts we have seen how a series of businesses occupied particular works. A further one is the Somnerfield Works, Haddington, East Lothian. In 1869 Somnerfield was occupied by Samuel Dodds. He continued under his name until 1900. During these thirty or so years he undertook a number of trades: agricultural implement maker (1870-1895), engineer, ironfounder and millwright (1897), machinery merchant (1897), mechanical engineer (1870-1900), millwright (1870-1900). He was also an agricultural implement agent, holding agencies for implement makers as R. Hornsby & Sons, Grantham in 1864 and 1879, Jack & Sons, Maybole in 1884, and McCormick Harvesting Machine Co., London in 1890.
By 1924 the company was known as Dodds & Clark, Somnerfield Works, Haddington, East Lothian. It described itself as engineers and thrashing mill proprietors. Its co-partnership of Samuel Dodds and Alexander Thomson Clark was dissolved on 30 September 1924, when Samuel Dodds retired. The business was carried on by Alexander Thomson Clark. He continued the business until early 1929 when it was purchased by R. Wylie & Sons, threshing contractors, Lochill, Longniddry. On 23 February 1929 it announced that it would carry on the business at Somnerfield Works under the name of R. Wyllie & Sons.

R. Wyllie & Sons, of Somnerfield Works, Haddington continued in business as an agricultural engineer and a mechanical engineer until at least 1951; it advertised in the Scottish Farmer in that year.

A few weeks ago we looked at the cutting of thistles as a summer job.

In 1955 if you wanted to buy a thistle or a bracken cutter you could buy one from a number of makers in Scotland and also England. They included a number of the key makers that had been making them for a number of years and were renowned for them.

If you wanted a machine from Scotland you could choose one from five makers: J. Bisset & Sons Ltd, Greenbank Works, Blairgowrie, Perthshire, made a tractor drawn machine with a horizontal rotary propeller driven by a land wheel. It could cut bracken, thistles and other weeds.

In Lanarkshire, you could purchase one from James A. Cuthbertson Ltd of Station Road, Biggar. This was a tractor drawn machine, described as a multi-wheel cutter, which was adaptable to undulations of the ground.

In Edinburgh (and Kelso), George Henderson Ltd made its Jubilee thistle cutter which could also cut thistles and weeds. It was powered by tractor or horse. It had a horizontal blade.

In south-west Scotland G. C. Irving, Main Street, Dalry, Castle Douglas, made a machine powered by a Villiers engine and three speed Albion gearbox with a 4ft wide wide cutting bar. The operator walked behind the machine holding the handles. From Ayrshire, G. Henderson, Catrine Road, Mauchline, had a tractor mounted, vee belt from a pto driven pulley with a 8ft cut.

From England, makers included W. Aitkenhead, Stamford Works, Lees, Oldham, W. M. Brenton Ltd, East Cornwall Iron Works, Polbathic, Torpoint, Cornwall, Crawford, Prince & Johnson Ltd, Syston, Leicester, and R. S. Warren, Covert Lane, Scraptoft, Thurnby, Leicester.

What machine would you purchase?

C is for …

Gavin Callander, Palmerston Iron Works, Dumfries
Duncan Cameron (harrows), Bank Street, Aberfeldy, Perthshire
Campbell & Anderson (harrows), Mauchline, Ayrshire
David Cassells, smith and millwright, Newton Mearns, Renfrewshire
James P. Cathcart, agricultural implement merchant, agricultural machinery, and every description of manufactured iron; estimates given for erecting hay sheds and wire fencing, 135 Buchanan Street, Glasgow; depot Graham Square, Glasgow
Thomas Chalmers (ploughs, mowers &c), Howes, Annan, Dumfriesshire
John Christie, Kinellar, Aberdeen
Clark & Sutherland, Smiddy Brae Works, Kingswells, Aberdeenshire
The Clockmill Engineering Co., Cammo Foundry, Duns
James W. Cobban, millwright and agricultural implement maker, Union Works, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire
James Coltart (ploughs, harrows and reaping machines), David Street, Maxwelltown, Dumfries
A M. Core & Co., Springfield Road, Glasgow
James Cossar, Elsrickle, Walston, Biggar, Lanarkshire
County Garage (Lanark) Ltd, Hyndford Road, Lanark
F. D. Cowieson & Co., 3 Charles Street, St Rollox, Glasgow
James Craig (ploughs, harrows), Auchnasaul, Kilninver, Oban
Craigrossie Engineering Co., engineers and millwrights, Auchterarder, Perthshire
James Crichton, engineering works, Strichen
Nathan Cromie, Clayton Works, Sheuchan Street, Stranraer
Peter Crowe, smith and implement maker, Trades Lane, Coupar Angus, Perthshire
Cruikshank & Company Limited, general ironfounders, Denny iron Works, Denny, Stirlingshire
James A. Cuthbertson, agricultural engineer, Biggar, Lanarkshire

We have focused on some of these makers in previous posts. They include some well-known makers. James W. Cobban, millwright and agricultural implement maker, Union Works, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire was an agricultural engineer, millwright, implement, machinery and equipment manufacturer from at least the late 1940s until at least 1960. It exhibited its ‘Ardconnon’ power drive trailer, invented by A. R. W. Gordon, Ardconnon, Old Meldrum, and made by it at the Royal Highland Show of 1954 at Dumfries.

Craigrossie Engineering Co., (Craigrossie Engineering Co. Ltd from 1923), Auchterarder, Perthshire, was a short-lived business, exhibiting at the Royal Highland Show in 1921; it voluntarily wound up its business in 1933. It was an innovative business, exhibiting a number of new implements at the Royal Highland Show from 1921 to 1926. These included a sheep drawn cleaning machine, invented by James Parker, smith, East Mill, Auchterarder; a wind-driven dynamo for supplying electric light and power, invented by John H. Garty, managing director of Glasgow Electrical Engineering Co. Ltd; a self-feeder, invented and made by it; and improvements on the threshing machine.

James Crichton, had his business at the engineering works in Strichen, Aberdeenshire in 1920. In 1926 the business became incorporated as Crichton’s (Strichen) Ltd, and held premises at Strichen and Perth. It changed its name in following years as James Crichton & Co., engineer, Turriff, Aberdeenshire in 1934 and as James Crichton, millwright, Turriff, Aberdeenshire in 1946. Crichton was an engineer and millwright; by 1969 it was a millwright, bodybuilder and engineer. It was renowned for its threshing machines. It entered for the new implement award at the Royal Highland Show in 1924 an improved 4’ 6” type double crank standardized threshing machine with ball-bearings throughout which it invented and made. In 1935 it also entered a one belt thresher C. M. type; drum width 27 in. (patents pending), which it invented and made.

The Clockmill Engineering Co., Cammo Foundry, Duns, first advertised in the Scottish Farmer on 1 March 1919. It infrequently advertised in following years until the company was wound up in 1974. It was also an infrequent attendee at the Royal Highland Show when it largely visited the Kelso show district. It did so in 1926, 1936 and 1952. It was an agricultural implement manufacturer and an ironfounder. Its manufactures included petrol turnip cutters, reapers and grubbers in 1930.

A is for …

Adams of Old Deer, Mintlaw Station, Aberdeenshire
Alex Adie, Upper Crichie, Old Deer, Aberdeenshire
Adrolic Engineering, Clober Works, Clober Works, Clober Road, Milngavie
Agral Patents Co., agricultural implement and tool manufacturers, 70 Sword Street, Glasgow
The Agricultural Implement Co. (Dundee) Ltd, 10 Reform Street, Dundee, Angus
Henry Alexander & Co., Nottingham Place, Edinburgh
Allan Brothers, Ashgrove Engineering Works, Aberdeen
J. D. Allan & Sons, Culthill Implement Works, Muthly, Perthshire
Alley & Maclellan Ltd, Sentinel Works, Polmadie, Glasgow
Alexander Anderson, Watten, Caithness
Anderson Brothers, general ironmongers, standard, beam and weighing machine maker, tinsmiths, gasfitters and coppersmiths, 93 Stockwell Street, Glasgow
James Anderson, agricultural implement maker, Monifieth, Dundee, Angus
John Anderson, smith and implement maker, 14 Polton Street, Bonnyrigg, Midlothian
John Anderson, implement maker, Cockburnspath, Berwickshire
Lyall M. Anderson, Caldhame Engineering Works, Laurencekirk, Kincardineshire
Armour Brothers (ploughs, grubbers, harrows &c), Hopetoun Implement Works, Linlithgow, West Lothian
Armstrongs & Main Ltd, Corn Exchange Buildings, Edinburgh
Auchinachie & Simpson Ltd, Keith, Morayshire
W. & T. Avery Ltd, manufacturers of weighing and testing apparatus, Birmingham, 304 St Vincent Street, Glasgow, and 20 Victoria Street, Edinburgh
Ayr Structural & Stamping Co., West Sanquhar Road, Ayr
Ayrshire Elevator Co. Ltd, Ayrshire Elevator Works, Knockentiber, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire

This is a selected list of implement and machine makers from across Scotland in the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Some of these names will be well-known to readers, while others are less well-known. Some have been features in past posts on Scottish agricultural implement makers.

Let’s look briefly at one or two of them. Adams of Old Deer, Mintlaw Station, Aberdeenshire, was well-known for their trailers from 1959 onwards. In 1961 their works at Mintlaw Station were known as the Challenger Trailer Works. By 1970 the company – which became Adams Trailers Ltd – were agricultural, industrial and commercial trailer specialists. From 1959 the company was a regular exhibitor to the Royal Highland Show. It entered a number of its trailers for the new implement award at the show in 1967, 1968 and 1969. These included Vari-tip’ trailer invented by F. Murchie, Lodge Farm, Great Ravelry, Huntingdon, and made by exhibitors and the ‘vari-tip’ trailer invented and made by exhibitors.

Another contemporary business was Ayrshire Elevator Co. Ltd, Ayrshire Elevator Works, Knockentiber, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. It was also a regular exhibitor at the Royal Highland Show from 1960 to 1968. It also entered a number of its inventions for the Society’s new implement award. In 1960 these included the Automatic bale pick-up attachment which fitted to the Ayrshire elevator, invented by Gerry Harris and made by exhibitors, a sugar beet cleaner, fitted to Ayrshire elevator, invented by Gerry Harris and made by exhibitors, and attachments for bulk storing potatoes, fitted to Ayrshire elevator, invented by Gerry Harris and made by exhibitors. The business was dissolved in 1982.

A much older business was Auchinachie & Simpson Ltd, Keith, Morayshire. In 1866 when it was set up it described itself as Auchinachie & Simpson, Mid Street, Keith, Morayshire (1868). At that time its specialities were ploughs, harrows and other machines. By 1913 these included ploughs, harrows, grubbers and manure sowers. Before 1914 its trades included agricultural implement maker (1877-1913), general implement dealer (1877), machinery broker and dealer (1878-1883), mechanical engineer (1878-1913), smith (1877- 1913), and smith and farrier (1903). Like the other businesses noted above it was also a regular exhibitor to the Royal Highland Show from 1868.

One of the well-known names around the rally field is Allan Brothers, Ashgrove Engineering Works, Aberdeen, whose oil engines and engines can still be seen. It is perhaps more widely known for its threshing mills which it started to manufacture in the 1930s. In 1898 the company was based at 102 West North Street, Aberdeen. It moved to Ashgrove Engineering Works, on Back Hilton Road, Aberdeen by 1901 where it continued to undertake its engineering, engine manufacturing and millwrighting until it was voluntarily wound up in 1956. It was also a regular exhibitor at the Highland Show until 1949.

A number of trade directories provide information on the agricultural implement and machine makers and their activities. One directory from 1951 – The Scottish National Register of Classified Trades includes a detailed supplement of agricultural businesses. These include the agricultural implement makers. There are also lists of tractor dealers, dairies, dairy implement makers as well as agricultural engineers.

The following is the list of agricultural implement and machine makers. It is one of the most comprehensive lists I have seen. I quote it at length to give a good idea of who was in business and the wide range of businesses and locations throughout Scotland. There are a good number that started in business in the mid to late nineteenth century. Another group started in the early 1920s with the increasing use of tractors and cars – some car garages also started to sell and service tractors.

How many names do you recollect?

J. R. Adamson, 34 High Street, Blairgowrie
Agricultural Industry Development Co. (Inverness) Ltd, 16 Telford Street, Inverness
Aird Engineering Co. Ltd, Beauly
William Alexander (agent for all leading makers of agricultural machinery), Ruther, Watten, Caithness
Alexanders of Edinburgh Ltd, Semple Street, Edinburgh
Allan Bros. (Aberdeen) Ltd, thrashing machines, Back Hilton Road, Aberdeen
Ayling McLean & Co. Ltd, Rochsolloch Road, Airdrie
A. Baird & Sons Ltd, Pleasance Implement Works, Dumfries
George Baird, Avon Place, Linlithgow
J. L. & J. Ballach, Gorgie Implement Works, Edinburgh
Banff Foundry & Engineering Co. Ltd, agricultural implements and machinery makers and exporters, Banff Foundry, Banff
Barclay, Ross & Hutchison, 67-71 The Green, Aberdeen; 56 Castle Street, Forfar; 39 High Street, Montrose, Glasgow Road, Perth
Barford (Agricultural) Ltd, Mount Harriet Stepps, near Glasgow
R. Begg & Sons, Implement Works, Dalry
James Borland & Sons Ltd, 9 St Marnock Street, Kilmarnock
Harry K. Brown (Motors) Ltd, Raith Motor Works,Nicol Street, Kirkcaldy
George Bruce & Co., 14 Regent Quay, Aberdeen
Cairns & Souter, Strathearn Engineering Works, Crieff
John Cameron Ltd, 84 High Street, Maybole
Central Motors (St Andrews) Ltd, 106-108 South Street, St Andrews
Chapman of Inverness Ltd, 49 Eastgate, Inverness
Clockmill Engineering Co., Cammon Foundry, Duns
James W. Cobban, specialist in haymaking machinery, carts and bodies, Union Works, Inverurie
James Cowie & Co., 4 Dunlop Street, Strathaven
James Crichton, Chapel Street, Turriff
Cumming & Dempster, Dee Street, Banchory
James Cuthbert & Co., 8-12 Commerce Street, Arbroath

Dairy Equipment and Supplies, 22 Baker Street, Stirling
Dalblair Motors Ltd, 44 Dalblair Road, Ayr
Wm Dickie & Sons Ltd, Victoria Works, East Kilbride
John Doe Ltd, Errol, Perthshire
Wm Donaldson (Engineers) Ltd, Bridge Street, Linwood, Paisley
G. B. Drape, St John’s, Whithorn
Thomas Duff & Son (Annan) Ltd, High Street, Annan
A. Duff & Sons, Forth Street, Stirling
The Dunlop Motor Co. Ltd, 30 Grange Street, Kilmarnock
Adam Duthie & Co. Ltd, Tarves, Aberdeenshire
Ednie & Kininmonth, 14 Castle Street, Forfar
William Elder & Sons Ltd, Tweedside Works, Betwick on Tweed
Elgin Central Garahe Ltd, Fordson Main dealers for NW Banff, Moray and Nairn, High Street, and Hill Street, Elgin
Errington Ross & Co., Castle Heather Works, Inverness

J. D. Falla & Son, Bonchester Bridge, Hawick
Ferguson & Hood, 28 Swan Street, Brechin
James Ferries & Co. Ltd, 86 Eastgate, Inverness
P. & R. Fleming & Co., 367 Alexandra Parade, Glasgow and 32 and 52 Keith Street, Partick, Glasgow
George Fowler & Sons, East End Garage, North Berwick
Fraser & McColl, Eastgate, Inverness
Frew & Co. Ltd, 14 Princes Street, Perth
C. S. Fillerton, Ferndene, Carmyllie, by Arbroath
R. G. Garvie & Sons, 2 Canal Road, Aberdeen
W. & A. Geddes Ltd, High Street, Wick
W. Gibson & Co., 62 George Street, Whithorn
Gillies & Henderson, 59 Bread Street, Edinburgh
D. R. Gordon Ltd, 30-40 Hopetoun Street, Bathgate
Gordon & Innes, 69-71 Bogin Street, Huntly
James Gordon & Co., Newmarket Street, Castle Douglas
J. Graham & Sons, Millhousebridge, Lockerbie
E. A. Grant, Standfast Works, Craigellachie, Banffshire
William F. Grant & Son, Ashgrove, Elgin
Grassick’s garage Ltd, Commercial Street, Blairgowrie
Eddie T. Y. Gray, Fairbank Works, Fetterangus, Mintlaw Station, Aberdeenshire
James Gray, 138-140 High Street, Laurencekirk
James Gray & Co., 7 Upper Craigs, Stirling

Hamilton, Anderson & Co., Goatfield Haddington
D. Hamilton & Sons, Townfield, Haddington
John Harkness & Son, Newfield Burn Works, Ruthwell, by Dumfries
John Harper & Sons, Perth Street, Blairgowrie
Harper Motor Co. Ltd, Holburn Junction, Aberdeen
Henry Harrower, Luggateburn, Haddington
George Henderson Ltd, East Bowmount Street, Kelso, 18 Forth Street, Edinburgh
Hillside Foundry & Engineering Co. (Cupar) Ltd, Hillside Foundry, Cupar, Fife
Howe Agricultural & Engineering Co., Mundamallo, Newtyle
Inverness Motor Co. Ltd, Strothers Lane, Inverness
David Irons & Sons, 22 Castle Street, Forfar
G. C. Irving, Main Street, Dalry, Kirkcudbright

Alex Jack & Sons Lt, Maybole, Ayrshire
James Jack, Hyndford Place, Lanark
Jack & Renwick Ltd, West Silvermills Lane, Edinburgh
Jeffrey Bros, Townfoot, Langholm
Geo. W. King, Ltd, specialists in chaff cutters, binder canvasses, grain and pea lifters, bush pullers, wire strainers, sack lifters, pneumatic grain storage and conveying plamt, ropelock pulley blocks, byre fittings, 153 Oxford Street, Glasgow
Ladyacre Engineering Co. Ltd, Ladyacre Road, Lanark
L. O. Tractors Ltd, Coronation Works, Coupar Angus, Perthshire
Leslie McRobert Ltd, makers of threshers and potato sorters, Schoolhill Works, Turriff
John Limond, Viewfield Road, Ayr
Lindsay & Co., 14-18 Rotterdam Street, Thurso
Lyon Brothers, 22 Oldmeldrum Road, Bucksburn, Aberdeen

John McBain & Son Ltd, Churnside, Duns
Alex McCutchion, Auction Mart, Falkirk
James Macdonald, 105 West Port, Edinburgh
McDougall Duncan Ltd, Royal Hotel Buildings, Oban
James McHarrie (Stranraer) Ltd, 8 Strand Street, Stranraer
Alexander S. McIntosh, The Garage, kennethmount, by Huntly,
Mackay & Jardine Ltd, West Cross, Wishaw
Alex Mckenzie & Son, Achnagarron, by Invergordon
Kenneth McKenzie & Sons, Evanton, Ross-shire
Pat McKenzie, 131 High Street, Forres
James Mackintosh, Angus Engineering Works, Don Street, Forfar
Macknight (Motors) Ltd, York House, Dumfries
George McLean Ltd, 30 Ward Road, Dundee
George MacLeod, specialists in horticultural tractors and cultivators, 110 Candleriggs, Glasgow
James McLeod & Son, Clyde Garage, Glasgow Road, Uddingston
John Macleod & Son, Evelix, Dornoch
MacNeill Tractors Ltd, 20 Graham Square, Glasgow

Benjamin Main & Son, 4 Stormont Street, Perth
Hugh Martin & Co. Ltd, 55-63 Washington Street, Glasgow
James Martin (kirkintilloch) Ltd, Kelvin Valley Works, Kirkintilloch
A. C. Mathers, 97 Muirton Place, Perth
Massey-Harris Limited, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire; head office, Barton Road, Manchester
J. M. Millar Ltd, Callendar Road Garage, Falkirk
A. T. Mungall Ltd, Castle Street, Forfar
William Munro, Royal Hotel Garage, Invergordon
Alex Newlands & Sons, Linlithgow, West Lothian
James F. Ogg, Bridge of Muchalls, Stonehaven
Olympia Garage, Kittybrewster, Aberdeen
John Oswald & Son, Damacre Road, Brechin

Paisley Motor Co. Ltd, 85 Causeyside Street, Paisley
A & W. Pollock, Station Road, Mauchline, Ayrshire
Ramsay & Wyllie, Townfoot, Elsrickle, Biggar
Reekie Engineering Co. Ltd, Lochlands Works, Arbroath; and at Redmyre Farm Depot, Fordoun
Allan W. Reid (Ayr) Ltd, Main Roads, Whitletts Road, Ayr
William Reid (Forres) Ltd, St Catherine’s Road, Forres
Wm. Reid & Leys, 8 Hadden Street, Aberdeen
Rogerson & Jamieson, 23-25 High Street, Lockerbie
G. A. Ross & Co., Friockheim, Forfarshire
Neil Ross, Bridge Street, Ellon, Aberdeenshire and at Greyfriars Street, Elgin
A. M. Russell Ltd, agricultural implements, Sinton Works, Gorgie Road, Edinburgh
John Rutherford & Sons Ltd, Coldstream, Earlston, St Boswells, and Kelso
John Scarth, Ayre Road, Kirkwall

Alexander Scott, Caledonian Implement Works, St Ninian’s, Stirling
Alexander Scott, Crossgatehall, Dalkeith
Henry Scott & Son, 24 Chapel Street, Airdrie
Scottish Farm Implements Ltd, Crosshouse, Kilmarnock
A & J. Scoular, Main Street, Thornhill, by Stirling
Geo. Sellar & Son Ltd, head office, 30 Great Northern Road, Aberdeen, works – Kelliebank, Alloa; branches, Granary Street, Huntly and Victoria Street, Perth
Shepherd’s Engineering & Blacksmith Work, Harbour Place, Wick
Thos. Sherriff & Co., West Barns, Dunbar
A. Simpson & Son, Clerk Street, Brechin
Thomas Sinclair, Reston, Berwickshire
A. Simpson & Son, Clerk Street, Brechin
Thomas Sinclair, Reston, Berwickshire
Peter Small, 15 Queen Street, Forfar
J. B. W. Smith Ltd, Cupar, Fife
W. Smith & Son Ltd, Market Street, Aberdeen
James H. Steele Ltd, “Everything for the Farm”, agricultural engineers and millwrights, 61 Harrison Road, Edinburgh; Assembly and service depot: Gray’s Mill Engineering Works, Longstone Road, Edinburgh
Stirling Implements Ltd (agents for James H. Steele Ltd), Field Marshall, Fowler and M. M. Tractors, Land Rollers, Combines &c, 28 Orchard Place, Stirling
Alex Strang (Tractors) Ltd, Pipe Street, Portobello
W. D. Syme, Ferguson & Hood 21-23 Hugh Street, Brechin

J. & W. Tait, Broad Street, Kirkwall
Thomson Bros (Kirkcaldy) Ltd, 238 High Street, Kirkcaldy
Thurso Engineering & Foundry Co. Ltd, Millbank Works, Thurso
Tullos Ltd, manufacturers of agricultural implements and machinery, including threshers, sheaf loaders, manure distributors, car trailers, power mowers. Potato front coverers, potato sorters, hay sweeps, Aberdeen
Alexander Waddell, 47 and 49 Wesleyan Street, Glasgow
Fred Walker, The Garage, Fettercairn, Laurencekirk
J. Wallace & Sons (Ayr) Ltd, Smith Street, Ayr
John Wallace & Sons Ltd, 34 Paton Street, Glashow
Wm Wallace & Son, 36 Kyle Street, Ayr
J. S. Webb & Son, Edina Cottage, Dechmont, Broxburn
James M. Wells, 14-16 English Street, Annan
E. Whitelaw & Son, Gladsmuir, Tranent, Longniddry
James Wilson, 77 Hammerfield Avenue, Avenue

A decade later this list was to change significantly.

Before the spraying of crops for weed control became common place, much work was spent during the summer months controlling weeds.

In 1805 the farmers and agriculturists of East Lothian had a number of hand tools and implements available to them to tend the crops. Robert Sommerville describes them at length in his General view of the agriculture of East Lothian, published in that year. He writes:

Implements used during the growth of the crops.
The implements, used during the growth of the crop, are the horse and hand hoe, the small and double mould-board plough, the Dutch-hoe, and the different kinds of weed hooks.
The horse hoe or scuffle is so well known as to need no description; that the implement is now so constructed, as to be easily accommodated to any width of a drill; it is used more or less in all drill crops.
Hand-hoe-The hand-hoe is very generally used, as will be seen, when the different kinds of drill crops come to be noticed, it is differently formed, but every variety of it is so well known as to require no description.
Small plough-The small plough is the same as that used for ordinary tillage, but upon a reduced scale, and is used in giving the first, second, and third ploughings, to turnips, beans, potatoes, &c.
Double mould-board plough-That implement differs in nothing from the foregoing, except in having a temporary mould-board of wood added to the left side, and a double-pointed share or sock; it is employed only in laying up the earth equally to both sides of the drill, after the other ploughings are given, and is considered the finishing operation, unless where hand-weeding and picking may afterwards be thought necessary, for taking out such weeds as grow in the drills amongst the crop, and which cannot be destroyed in any other way. This implement is not much used.

Dutch hoe-The Dutch horse hoe, provincially called scraper, is used very generally in cleaning beans or turnips, and a hand-hoe of the same name is often used in gardens; there cannot be a doubt, that, if the drilling of white crops were more general, that implement would be found very useful.
Weed-hooks-The common weed-hook is chiefly used in this county and is a useful instrument for cutting weeds of a certain description, such as thistles, &c; but, as the former of these, when cut either at an early period of the season, or before much rain falls, are apt to spring up afresh and produce four or five stems in place of one, they ought, perhaps, in every instance, to be pulled, or, if they are cut, the operation should be done with a chisel, which, if properly used, will cut them below the surface.

What were your experiences of using these implements in the twentieth century for tending the crops?

A number of trade directories provide information on the agricultural implement and machine makers and their activities. One directory from 1951 – The Scottish National Register of Classified Trades includes a detailed supplement of agricultural businesses. These include the agricultural implement makers. There are also lists of tractor dealers, dairies, dairy implement makers as well as agricultural engineers.

The following is the list of agricultural implement and machine makers. It is one of the most comprehensive lists I have seen. I quote it at length to give a good idea of who was in business and the wide range of businesses and locations throughout Scotland. There are a good number that started in business in the mid to late nineteenth century. Another group started in the early 1920s with the increasing use of tractors and cars – some car garages also started to sell and service tractors.

How many names do you recollect?

J R Adamson, 34 High Street, Blairgowrie
Agricultural Industry Development Co. (Inverness) Ltd, 16 Telford Street, Inverness
Aird Engineering Co. Ltd, Beauly
William Alexander (agent for all leading makers of agricultural machinery), Ruther, Watten, Caithness
Alexanders of Edinburgh Ltd, Semple Street, Edinburgh
Allan Bros. (Aberdeen) Ltd, thrashing machines, Back Hilton Road, Aberdeen
Ayling McLean & Co. Ltd, Rochsolloch Road, Airdrie
A Baird & Sons Ltd, Pleasance Implement Works, Dumfries
George Baird, Avon Place, Linlithgow
J. L. & J. Ballach, Gorgie Implement Works, Edinburgh
Banff Foundry & Engineering Co. Ltd, agricultural implements and machinery makers and exporters, Banff Foundry, Banff
Barclay, Ross & Hutchison, 67-71 The Green, Aberdeen; 56 Castle Street, Forfar; 39 High Street, Montrose, Glasgow Road, Perth
Barford (Agricultural) Ltd, Mount Harriet Stepps, near Glasgow
R. Begg & Sons, Implement Works, Dalry
James Borland & Sons Ltd, 9 St Marnock Street, Kilmarnock
Harry K. Brown (Motors) Ltd, Raith Motor Works,Nicol Street, Kirkcaldy
George Bruce & Co., 14 Regent Quay, Aberdeen
Cairns & Souter, Strathearn Engineering Works, Crieff
John Cameron Ltd, 84 High Street, Maybole
Central Motors (St Andrews) Ltd, 106-108 South Street, St Andrews
Chapman of Inverness Ltd, 49 Eastgate, Inverness
Clockmill Engineering Co., Cammon Foundry, Duns
James W. Cobban, specialist in haymaking machinery, carts and bodies, Union Works, Inverurie
James Cowie & Co., 4 Dunlop Street, Strathaven
James Crichton, Chapel Street, Turriff
Cumming & Dempster, Dee Street, Banchory
James Cuthbert & Co., 8-12 Commerce Street, Arbroath

Dairy Equipment and Supplies, 22 Baker Street, Stirling
Dalblair Motors Ltd, 44 Dalblair Road, Ayr
Wm Dickie & Sons Ltd, Victoria Works, East Kilbride
John Doe Ltd, Errol, Perthshire
Wm Donaldson (Engineers) Ltd, Bridge Street, Linwood, Paisley
G. B. Drape, St John’s, Whithorn
Thomas Duff & Son (Annan) Ltd, High Street, Annan
A Duff & Sons, Forth Street, Stirling
The Dunlop Motor Co. Ltd, 30 Grange Street, Kilmarnock
Adam Duthie & Co. Ltd, Tarves, Aberdeenshire
Ednie & Kininmonth, 14 Castle Street, Forfar
William Elder & Sons Ltd, Tweedside Works, Betwick on Tweed
Elgin Central Garahe Ltd, Fordson Main dealers for NW Banff, Moray and Nairn, High Street, and Hill Street, Elgin
Errington Ross & Co., Castle Heather Works, Inverness
J. D. Falla & Son, Bonchester Bridge, Hawick
Ferguson & Hood, 28 Swan Street, Brechin
James Ferries & Co. Ltd, 86 Eastgate, Inverness
P. & R. Fleming & Co., 367 Alexandra Parade, Glasgow and 32 and 52 Keith Street, Partick, Glasgow
George Fowler & Sons, East End Garage, North Berwick
Fraser & McColl, Eastgate, Inverness
Frew & Co. Ltd, 14 Princes Street, Perth
C. S. Fillerton, Ferndene, Carmyllie, by Arbroath
R. G. Garvie & Sons, 2 Canal Road, Aberdeen
W. & A. Geddes Ltd, High Street, Wick
W. Gibson & Co., 62 George Street, Whithorn
Gillies & Henderson, 59 Bread Street, Edinburgh
D. R. Gordon Ltd, 30-40 Hopetoun Street, Bathgate
Gordon & Innes, 69-71 Bogin Street, Huntly
James Gordon & Co., Newmarket Street, Castle Douglas
J. Graham & Sons, Millhousebridge, Lockerbie
E. A. Grant, Standfast Works, Craigellachie, Banffshire
William F. Grant & Son, Ashgrove, Elgin
Grassick’s garage Ltd, Commercial Street, Blairgowrie
Eddie T. Y. Gray, Fairbank Works, Fetterangus, Mintlaw Station, Aberdeenshire
James Gray, 138-140 High Street, Laurencekirk
James Gray & Co., 7 Upper Craigs, Stirling

Hamilton, Anderson & Co., Goatfield Haddington
D. Hamilton & Sons, Townfield, Haddington
John Harkness & Son, Newfield Burn Works, Ruthwell, by Dumfries
John Harper & Sons, Perth Street, Blairgowrie
Harper Motor Co. Ltd, Holburn Junction, Aberdeen
Henry Harrower, Luggateburn, Haddington
George Henderson Ltd, East Bowmount Street, Kelso, 18 Forth Street, Edinburgh
Hillside Foundry & Engineering Co. (Cupar) Ltd, Hillside Foundry, Cupar, Fife
Howe Agricultural & Engineering Co., Mundamallo, Newtyle
Inverness Motor Co. Ltd, Strothers Lane, Inverness
David Irons & Sons, 22 Castle Street, Forfar
G. C. Irving, Main Street, Dalry, Kirkcudbright
Alex Jack & Sons Lt, Maybole, Ayrshire
James Jack, Hyndford Place, Lanark
Jack & Renwick Ltd, West Silvermills Lane, Edinburgh
Jeffrey Bros, Townfoot, Langholm

Geo. W. King, Ltd, specialists in chaff cutters, binder canvasses, grain and pea lifters, bush pullers, wire strainers, sack lifters, pneumatic grain storage and conveying plamt, ropelock pulley blocks, byre fittings, 153 Oxford Street, Glasgow
Ladyacre Engineering Co. Ltd, Ladyacre Road, Lanark
L. O. Tractors Ltd, Coronation Works, Coupar Angus, Perthshire
Leslie McRobert Ltd, makers of threshers and potato sorters, Schoolhill Works, Turriff
John Limond, Viewfield Road, Ayr
Lindsay & Co., 14-18 Rotterdam Street, Thurso
Lyon Brothers, 22 Oldmeldrum Road, Bucksburn, Aberdeen
John McBain & Son Ltd, Churnside, Duns
Alex McCutchion, Auction Mart, Falkirk
James Macdonald, 105 West Port, Edinburgh
McDougall Duncan Ltd, Royal Hotel Buildings, Oban
James McHarrie (Stranraer) Ltd, 8 Strand Street, Stranraer
Alexander S. McIntosh, The Garage, kennethmount, by Huntly,
Mackay & Jardine Ltd, West Cross, Wishaw
Alex Mckenzie & Son, Achnagarron, by Invergordon
Kenneth McKenzie & Sons, Evanton, Ross-shire
Pat McKenzie, 131 High Street, Forres
James Mackintosh, Angus Engineering Works, Don Street, Forfar
Macknight (Motors) Ltd, York House, Dumfries
George McLean Ltd, 30 Ward Road, Dundee
George MacLeod, specialists in horticultural tractors and cultivators, 110 Candleriggs, Glasgow
James McLeod & Son, Clyde Garage, Glasgow Road, Uddingston
John Macleod & Son, Evelix, Dornoch
MacNeill Tractors Ltd, 20 Graham Square, Glasgow

Benjamin Main & Son, 4 Stormont Street, Perth
Hugh Martin & Co. Ltd, 55-63 Washington Street, Glasgow
James Martin (kirkintilloch) Ltd, Kelvin Valley Works, Kirkintilloch
A. C. Mathers, 97 Muirton Place, Perth
Massey-Harris Limited, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire; head office, Barton Road, Manchester
J. M. Millar Ltd, Callendar Road Garage, Falkirk
A. T. Mungall Ltd, Castle Street, Forfar
William Munro, Royal Hotel Garage, Invergordon
Alex Newlands & Sons, Linlithgow, West Lothian
James F. Ogg, Bridge of Muchalls, Stonehaven
Olympia Garage, Kittybrewster, Aberdeen
John Oswald & Son, Damacre Road, Brechin
Paisley Motor Co. Ltd, 85 Causeyside Street, Paisley
A & W. Pollock, Station Road, Mauchline, Ayrshire
Ramsay & Wyllie, Townfoot, Elsrickle, Biggar
Reekie Engineering Co. Ltd, Lochlands Works, Arbroath; and at Redmyre Farm Depot, Fordoun
Allan W. Reid (Ayr) Ltd, Main Roads, Whitletts Road, Ayr
William Reid (Forres) Ltd, St Catherine’s Road, Forres
Wm. Reid & Leys, 8 Hadden Street, Aberdeen
Rogerson & Jamieson, 23-25 High Street, Lockerbie
G. A. Ross & Co., Friockheim, Forfarshire
Neil Ross, Bridge Street, Ellon, Aberdeenshire and at Greyfriars Street, Elgin
A. M. Russell Ltd, agricultural implements, Sinton Works, Gorgie Road, Edinburgh
John Rutherford & Sons Ltd, Coldstream, Earlston, St Boswells, and Kelso

John Scarth, Ayre Road, Kirkwall
Alexander Scott, Caledonian Implement Works, St Ninian’s, Stirling
Alexander Scott, Crossgatehall, Dalkeith
Henry Scott & Son, 24 Chapel Street, Airdrie
Scottish Farm Implements Ltd, Crosshouse, Kilmarnock
A & J. Scoular, Main Street, Thornhill, by Stirling
Geo. Sellar & Son Ltd, head office, 30 Great Northern Road, Aberdeen, works – Kelliebank, Alloa; branches, Granary Street, Huntly and Victoria Street, Perth
Shepherd’s Engineering & Blacksmith Work, Harbour Place, Wick
Thos. Sherriff & Co., West Barns, Dunbar
A. Simpson & Son, Clerk Street, Brechin
Thomas Sinclair, Reston, Berwickshire
A. Simpson & Son, Clerk Street, Brechin
Thomas Sinclair, Reston, Berwickshire
Peter Small, 15 Queen Street, Forfar
J. B. W. Smith Ltd, Cupar, Fife
W. Smith & Son Ltd, Market Street, Aberdeen
James H. Steele Ltd, “Everything for the Farm”, agricultural engineers and millwrights, 61 Harrison Road, Edinburgh; Assembly and service depot: Gray’s Mill Engineering Works, Longstone Road, Edinburgh
Stirling Implements Ltd (agents for James H. Steele Ltd), Field Marshall, Fowler and M. M. Tractors, Land Rollers, Combines &c, 28 Orchard Place, Stirling
Alex Strang (Tractors) Ltd, Pipe Street, Portobello
W. D. Syme, Ferguson & Hood 21-23 Hugh Street, Brechin

J. & W. Tait, Broad Street, Kirkwall
Thomson Bros (Kirkcaldy) Ltd, 238 High Street, Kirkcaldy
Thurso Engineering & Foundry Co. Ltd, Millbank Works, Thurso
Tullos Ltd, manufacturers of agricultural implements and machinery, including threshers, sheaf loaders, manure distributors, car trailers, power mowers. Potato front coverers, potato sorters, hay sweeps, Aberdeen
Alexander Waddell, 47 and 49 Wesleyan Street, Glasgow
Fred Walker, The Garage, Fettercairn, Laurencekirk
J. Wallace & Sons (Ayr) Ltd, Smith Street, Ayr
John Wallace & Sons Ltd, 34 Paton Street, Glashow
Wm Wallace & Son, 36 Kyle Street, Ayr
J. S. Webb & Son, Edina Cottage, Dechmont, Broxburn
James M. Wells, 14-16 English Street, Annan
E. Whitelaw & Son, Gladsmuir, Tranent, Longniddry
James Wilson, 77 Hammerfield Avenue, Avenue

A decade later this list was to change significantly.

This year all the rallies have been cancelled and if we want to go abroad for our holidays we face restrictions in where we can go (though there is nothing like staying in Scotland). These changes don’t mean that we will have a dull summer.

We have been thinking about what we are writing for our Scottish agricultural implement maker posts over the summer and early autumn.

At the weekends we will recollect some great rallies and rally displays from the past. We might even post on both a Saturday and a Sunday instead of our usual Sunday. On a Tuesday we will follow our usual practice of posting random posts on the Scottish agricultural implement makers.

According to Henry Stephens in The Book of the Farm (1908), writing of summer pasture, “thistles and docks are the most troublesome of the larger weeds. These should be cut or hoed out twice in each season. When the soil is fairly moist docks should be pulled out by the roots. The best time to cut thistles is when the flower is beginning to form, as the roots are now weaker than when the plants are only a few inches above the ground, and they are not yet mature enough to produce seed. The common thistle spreads principally by underground stems, which make this plant much more difficult to eradicate, while the Scotch thistle is produced from seed only, and is therefore more easily dealt with. The smaller weeds, such as daisies, buttercups, sorrel, and plantains, can be effectively checked by judicious manurial treatment and the proper grazing of pastures.”

The cutting of thistles could be a tiresome job especially where there were a lot of them. There were a number of mechanical thistle cutters developed. In 1898 at the Highland Show John Ritchie, Kelso, exhibited “an ingenious thistle cutter”. Others followed in later years. In 1901 one was made by A. & J. Main & Co., Glasgow. It was described as a “new patent bracken and thistle cutter”. A further one was made in 1904 by J. D. Allan & Sons, Murthly. In 1909 P. & R. Fleming & Co., Glasgow, had a new patent thistle cutter which it exhibited at the Highland Show.

At the start of the Second World War interest in bracken eradication stimulated the development of machines that could cut bracken as well as other weeds. In 1939, two well-known cutters were the Henderson thistle cutter, a horse drawn Irvings bracken and thistle cutter and a Triangle thistle cutter. The Henderson thistle cutter became well-known. One or two of them can still be seen around the rally field.

Thistle cutters were a frequently noted machine at farm displenishing sales. One was noted at Sundhope, Yarrow, in 1910. Another at Faldonside, near Melrose in 1908.

The photographs of the Henderson thistle cutter were taken at the Strathnairn rally, 2019.

Traction engine fans may very well question the title of this post. John Fowler & Co, and later John Fowler & Co. (Leeds) Ltd, have always been associated with Leeds, and in particular the Steam Plough Works. However, for a short period of time the company had business premises in Edinburgh to deal with its Scottish customers. It was the first of the traction engine makers to have a presence in Scotland, with Robey & Co., of Lincoln, having premises in Edinburgh in 1880, and then a post office box in Glasgow some years later. True, these companies had Scottish agents such as Alexander Jack & Sons, Maybole, James B. A, McKinnel, Dumfries, William Mears, Edinburgh and G. W. Murray & Co., Banff, either for short or much longer periods of time.

A dedicated presence meant that the company had a direct relationship with its customers. The company had its own representatives in Scotland from the second half of the 1850s. The name Mr Greig was well known to framers and agriculturists. He was George Greig, farmer, Harvieston, Kincardineshire, also brother of David Greig employed by Fowler’s in Leeds. By 1869 Fowler’s was involved in the patent of Pirie’s double furrow plough (made by Thoomas Pirie of Kinmundy, Aberdeenshire) and in making and selling it. Mr Greig had started to advertise its for sale from his farm at Harvieston, but because of the great interest in it and Fowler’s traction and ploughing traction engines, more extensive interests needed to be put in place.

In 1869 Fowler’s acquired the tenancy of an office in India Buildings, near to the Grassmarket and the agricultural district of Edinburgh. By the following year George Greig was named as the formal agents for Fowlers in Edinburgh. The company described itself in local trade directories as J. Fowler & Co., engineers, Leeds, George Greig, 1 India Buildings, Edinburgh, agent. The company advertised each week in the Scottish agricultural press, and the names Greig, Fowler and India Buildings were closely associated in the minds of the Scottish farmers and other agriculturists.

The tenancy appears to have been on a short-term basis. In 1874 the company had moved to 4 India Buildings. In 1878 the company was not able to get a room in India Buildings and had to move to nearby Giles Street for a number of months until it could get a further room back in 1879. The company remained at India Buildings until 1884.

During the years it spent at India Buildings, the company undertook extensive work in Scotland to promote and support the promotion, sale and use of double furrow ploughs, traction engines and steam ploughing engines and tackle. For example, it arranged trials of steam ploughing and cultivating tackle, provided advice for Scottish conditions, support to farmers and other agriculturists. It exhibited at the Highland Show as well as other agricultural shows, such as those in Ayrshire and East Lothian.

Its activities took place at a time when the use of steam on farms was well-established, steam ploughing had been tried and tested and was being used in increasing numbers in some districts of the country, especially East Lothian, Fife, Kincardineshire and parts of Aberdeenshire.

The company moved out of India Buildings when the market for steam ploughing and traction engines became difficult. After 1879 there started a period of agricultural depression which was to continue into the first decade of the twentieth century. With no strong demand for its products the company focused its sales from its Leeds headquarters.

A few years ago India Buildings was open to the public at the time of the Edinburgh Festival. The photographs are of the premises at no 1. India Buildings.