n 1914 Barclay, Ross & Tough conducted its business from Balmoral Buildings, 67-71 Green, Aberdeen, and at Craigshaw, Aberdeen. It was two addresses that became closely known with its successor Barclay, Ross & Hutchison Ltd in 1920.
The business continued in operation until 1 July 1929 when it was taken over by Scottish Agricultural Industries Ltd. In 1933 it advertised in the North British Agriculturist as Barclay, Ross & Hutchison Ltd, associated with Scottish Agricultural Industries Ltd”. In that year it exhibited at the Highland Show the “S.A.I. chemical dresser for all seeds”.
One of the founding figures of the business was Robert R. Ross. He continued to be associated with the business until he retired on 1 July 1929. The Aberdeen evening express, provides an account of his work in an obituary of 22 May 1940. It is worth quoting at length:
“Late Mr R. R. Ross
Agriculturists and business men throughout the North of Scotland will learn with regret of the death yesterday, at his residence in Hardgate, of Mr Robert R. Ross, a member of the firm of Messrs Barclay, Ross, and Hutchison, seedsman, and implement makers, Aberdeen. Mr Ross was eighty years of age.
Mr Ross was for many years secretary of the Royal Northern Agricultural Society. In that capacity he helped greatly to increase the membership, and in several directions he was responsible for widening the usefulness and influence of the Society.
A man of tremendous energy and initiative, Mr Ross played an important part in the development of the agricultural industry in the North-east.
His firm was kept invariably in the forefront in producing up-to-date machinery and other labour-saving equipment necessary for successful farming.
Mr Ross joined, in the closing year of last century, the firm established by Mr Morrison Barclay in 1871. He retired from business eleven years ago when the firm was taken over by the Scottish Agricultural Industries Ltd. He, however, remained a director of the company up to the time of his death.
Courteous, genial, and obliging, he enjoyed a great popularity.
When a young man Mr Ross was a member of the Aberdeen Rifle Volunteers and attended the Wet Review in 1881. He was a member of the Aberdeen Wet Review Veterans’ Association.
Mr Ross is survived by two daughters and by one son, who is in New Zealand. Two of his sons were killed in the last war.”
