Scotland's Brick and Tile Manufacturing Industry

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…

Found by Clive Bostock near Pickering, North Yorkshire. Possibly manufactured by Robert Brown and Son, Ferguslie Fireclay Works, Paisley. This would be prior to 1902 as Robert Brown and Son became a limited company then and used ‘Ltd’ in their stamps thereafter. Mansfield Brothers, Tileworks Manufactury, Church Gresley, may refer to South Derbyshire. They manufactured…

Found by Steve Cogle in the Portobello area. Note the letters are raised on this example and unusually, the ‘LTD’ sits below the maker’s name. Robert Brown & Son, Ferguslie Fireclay Works, Paisley, Renfrewshire. . . .

The following Scottish bricks were found by David W Garcia at various locations throughout California, USA. . . . . Below – Gartcraig Fire Clay Works, by Millerston, Glasgow. Found at an old dynamite testing site at Hercules, California.     Below – 2 x Robert Brown & Son, Ferguslie Fireclay Works, Paisley, Renfrewshire. Found…

This unmarked red clay brick was found by Ian Suddaby and is interesting for several reasons. Ian states:- Below – 1852 – 1853 – What appears to be a row of Gunpowder Mills are shown in 1853 alongside the Gore Water at Gorebridge in Midlothian, Scotland. Down in the river, an impressive sandstone wall with…

Found by Michael Fallone in the Glasgow area. This brick may have been used as a land drainage ’tile’ or its a brick for internal walls. Note the ribbing to the exterior and interior and also there are possible lifting tool marks. The manufacturer is unknown but the find location would suggest Scottish origins but…

Found by Ian Suddaby in Ayrshire. Gully trap drain cover stamped R. Brown & Son Paisley. Caledonian Brick and Drain Tile Works, Paisley, Renfrewshire or Ferguslie or Shortroods. . . .

This photograph is depicted in a book entitled “And so we graft from six to six” by Warwick Gemmell. This brick was found in New South Wales, Australia. I am not in possession of this brick. Robert Brown & Son, Ferguslie Fire Clay Works, Paisley. . .

This brick was found in Truckee, California by Rick Jones. Robert Brown & Son, Ferguslie Fireclay Works, Paisley, Renfrewshire . . . .

This brick was found at the Whitrigbog Brick and Tile Works, St Boswells, Scottish Borders. The brick is believed to have been manufactured on-site. A 3 pronged tool has been used. The 3 holes are approx. 1 1/4″ deep. The centre of the left to the centre of the right measures 6 1/4″ making the…