Gartcosh

History

The name Gartcosh might be derived perhaps from the Gaelic meaning 'field' and meaning 'hollow'. Alternatively 'enclosure of the foot' has been suggested. Several old documents show Gartcosh (spelled Gartcash), including maps by Timothy Pont, Forrest, and William Roy. Though originally an agricultural village, Gartcosh is better known for its role in Scottish industry. In the early 19th century there were a number of mines in the local area, and the first railway to service Gartcosh was used to transport coal to Glasgow. By 1837 there was a railway station, or to be more accurate a stopping place as there were no platforms or waiting rooms. From the mid-19th century onwards, Gartcosh became prominent in industry with the opening of ironworks and fire clay works. Gartcosh Fireclay Works was established by James Binnie in 1863. Although mostly concerned with firebrick manufacture, during the early years its output was much more varied, extending to garden vases and pedestals, garden edges, fountains, chimney cans, roof tiles, cattle troughs, sewage pipes and other products. It was one of a group of such businesses in the area, with others at Cardowan, Garnkirk, Cumbernauld, Heathfield and Glenboig. The fire clay works at Garcosh at the end of the 19th century was owned by the Glenboig Union Fireclay Company Limited. Gartcosh Fireclay Works eventually closed down in the 1950s, when local supplies of fireclay were exhausted. In 1865, Gartcosh became the home of Woodneuk Iron Works owned by William Gray & Co. It was bought by Smith & McLeans in 1872 and subsequently David Colville & Sons' steel mills. British Steel Corporation took ownership of the Colville's steel mill in Gartcosh in 1967 and operated until its closure in February 1986. The main steel mill building…