A wonderful day was had when I met Vladimir Smirnov and his family yesterday in the Scottish Borders. A good number of local historical sites were visited, lunch and some friendly and informative ‘brick’ chat too. The highlight of the day for me was Vladimir’s unexpected, yet most generous gift of a ‘Bonnyrigg Patent’ brick he had found some years ago in St Petersburg, Russia. As far as we are aware no such examples have been recorded yet in Scotland. It is believed this brick was manufactured at the Bonnyrigg Fireclay Works, Bonnyrigg, Mid Lothian, Scotland although the exact location for these works is still unconfirmed.
This was Vladimir’s first visit to Scotland and as he was staying in Edinburgh, a nice relevant brick momento was found to mark the occasion. Apart from the brick, Vladimir, his wife Tatyana and son Daniel, brought some other lovely gifts including a very unique brick inspired, printed cushion made by Tatyana.
A great visit and one we hope to reciprocate at some point in the future.
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The following Scottish bricks were found by Denis O’Keefe on the south-west coast of Victoria, Australia. The Cumbernauld and Cardowan Patent were both found in the same pile of bricks on the shore. The pile is thought to be discarded ships ballast. . Below – Cardowan Patent – Cardowan Fire Clay Works, Stepps, Glasgow. Cumbernauld…
It was found by Pauline Godbout Santerre on a beach in, Canada. . . . . Below – Bourtreehill Kilmarnock – Bourtreehill Fireclay Works, Dreghorn, Ayrshire.
Many thanks to Terrence Honore and the Palmiste Historical Society for the following information. These Scottish bricks were found on the Cedar Grove, Canaan Palmiste Estates, Trinidad. They were formerly owned by Scotsmen like the Lamonts. A chimney of bricks from that era 1810, still stands, along with bridges and a few other structures. The…
This brick was found by Debbie and Trevor McBride in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada. Debbie states – “We had been told that there was a Hudson Bay Company Dairy on our property. The Creek that runs through our property is called “Dairy Creek” for the reason of the dairy being here. That was in 1860.”…
This brick was found by Emily Zeringue in a little town called Pierre Part, South Louisiana, USA. . . . . Below – Forth – Roughcastle Firebrick Works, Bonnybridge, Stirlingshire.
This brick is in the possession of Vladimir Smirnov, St Petersburg, Russia. It was found 200km south-west in Gdov. Below – Grangemouth Warranted – Grangemouth Firebrick Works, Skinflats, Grangemouth, Falkirk. . . .
Found by Vassily Khvalyuk in Sevastopol, Russia. . . . . Below – Patent Wilson & Son Glasgow – William Wilson & Son, brickmaker and builder, Muirhouses Brickworks, Eglinton Street and Pollokshaw Road, Glasgow and Campbellfield Brick Tile and Pottery Works, Glasgow. (Note – SBH – I am uncertain which works this particular brick was…
This brick was found by Александр Лушников in Kiev, Russia. Glenboig Union Fireclay Company, Glenboig, Lanarkshire. Alternative brickworks include: Glenboig Star Fireclay Works, Glenboig, Lanarkshire. Glenboig Fireclay Works, (Old Works) Glenboig, Lanarkshire. .
Found by Noah Gallan in St Johns, Newfoundland, Canada. The bricks were found in a fireplace purchased by Noah. . . . Below – Gartcraig – Gartcraig Fire Clay Works, By Millerston, Glasgow.
Found by Matt Elsworth. . . . . Below – Morningside – Morningside Fireclay Works, Newmains, North Lanarkshire. Below – Gartcraig – Gartcraig Fire Clay Works, By Millerston, Glasgow. Found on the shore at Miramichi, New Brunswick, Canada.
