Home > Companies & Works > Scottish Oil Works > Riggend Oil Works
Riggend Oil Works
| Location | Very uncertain, perhaps in the general vicinity of 55.903538, -3.973403,  |
|---|---|
| Former parish and county | Parish of New Monkland, Lanarkshire |
| Current local authority area | North Lanarkshire |
| Construction history | Built probably c 1866 |
| Ownership history | Thomas Lockhart & Company, James Ross & Company |
| Demolition history | Dismantled after 1877 |
| Current status of site | Uncertain |
Background
Redwood notes that the Riggend Chemical and Oil Work operated between 1865 and 1874-5.
Mineral statistics for 1873 list, under oil shale and shale mines, "Roadside" in New Monkland parish, operated by James Ross.
Valuation Records
No valuation records have been located under the title "Riggend Chemical and Oil Works", however entries exist for a Wattston Oil Works between 1866 and 1877. Thomas Lockhart, who advertised Riggend Oil Works for sale in 1866 (see below) is recorded as owner in valuation roles of Wattson Oil Works. It is assumed therefore that Wattson Oil Works was an alternative name for Riggend Oil Works.
Maps
Ordnance Survey maps reproduced by kind permission of the Trustees of the National Library of Scotland
- (1) 6" OS map c.1864 showing the vicinity of Riggend and Wattson
- (2) 6" OS map c.1899
- (3) Google Earth image c.2005
Snippets
SHALE OILWORKS FOR SALE – FOR SALE BY PRIVATE BARGAIN, THE RIGGEND CHEMICAL WORKS, situated about three miles north-east of AIRDRIE, containing Thirty Retorts, with Condensers, Rones, Tanks, &c., in good-going order, and provided with all appliances for the profitable Manufacture of Crude Oil. Shale of excellent quality may be obtained from the adjacent Colliery, on favourable terms. For particulars apply to JOHN RANKIN, Writer, Airdrie; or to THOMAS LOCKHART, Drumgelloch Lodge Airdrie, or 27 Hope Street, Glasgow, with either of whom offers may be lodged. The Scotsman, 7th February 1868.
AIRDRIE – MAN FOUND DEAD. Yesterday morning, the dead body of a man was found lying in a field at Wattston Oil Work, near Airdrie. The deceased seems to have been a tramp, about 60 years of age. A medical examination showed that death had resulted from exposure to the cold. The Scotsman, 7th January 1874.
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