Rutherglen.
Caledonian Pottery.—The “Caledonian Pottery” at Rutherglen, near Glasgow, was established at Glasgow about 1780 by a joint stock company, and from the company was acquired, about 1825, by the grandfather and father of the present head of the firm of Murray and Co., by whom the manufactory is carried on. In 1870 the works were removed from Glasgow to Rutherglen, about a couple of miles from that city. At first fine porcelain and china were made; then cream-coloured printed ware, with Rockingham and salt-glazed wares. In 1851 the demand sprang up for stoneware ale and other bottles, and this has become one of the staple trades of Glasgow and the surrounding district. The goods now produced are the usual classes of “Bristol” glazed stoneware, salt-glazed stoneware, cane ware, and Rockingham and Egyptian black wares. In these classes of goods all the usual domestic articles are very extensively made, both for the home and continental markets. The quality produced is much above the average in excellence, and the goods of this firm are in much repute. A speciality of Messrs. Murray and Co. is their patent “spongy iron filter” which has been officially recommended by Royal Commission and has been awarded a medal. It is one of the most perfect and useful of filters, and its principle of construction is thoroughly good. The mark used by Murray and Co. is a lion rampant.
Portobello, near Edinburgh.
Midlothian Potteries.—The Midlothian Stoneware Potteries at Portobello and Musselburgh, near Edinburgh, were established about 1857 by Mr. W. A. Gray, for the manufacture of general stoneware goods, but they had, I am informed by him, been in existence as earthenware works for upwards of a century before that time. They are now carried on under the style of “W. A. Gray & Sons.” The goods produced are all kinds of stoneware, and the more ordinary descriptions of earthenware. In the first are all the usual descriptions of spirit jars and bottles, spirit barrels, bowls and pans, jugs and pitchers, butter, beef, and jam-pots, bottles, feet and carriage warmers, &c.; and in earthenware many useful articles. They are principally supplied to the home market.
Portobello Pottery.—These old-established works at Portobello, near Edinburgh, were established in 1770, and are now carried on by Messrs. A. W. Buchan & Co. For a number of years they turned out ordinary white earthenware and Rockingham ware, but since 1842 the manufacture has been entirely confined to stoneware. In this ware bottles of various kinds, jars, jugs, feet and carriage warmers, spirit bottles, and all the usual classes of goods, are extensively manufactured, principally for the home markets. The mark of the firm is a star.
Kirkcaldy.
Sinclairtown Pottery.—Messrs. George McLachlan & Son were manufacturers of ordinary earthenware at this place; the works are now closed.
Other manufactories are, the Kirkcaldy Pottery belonging to Messrs. David Methven & Son, and the Gallatown Pottery belonging to Messrs. Robert Heron & Sons.