Listed in the 1924 Colliery Year Book, with directors:
- Rt. Hon. Lord Glenarthur, Fullarton, Troon
- J.W. Connel, Braeside, Burntisland
- R. Forrester, Annfield, Stirling
- H.C.C. Forrester, Tullibody House, Cambus
- G.A. Mitchell, 9, Lowther Terrace, Kelvinside
- P. Stewart, 16 Athole Gardens, Glasgow
- W. Thorneycroft, Plean House, Plean
- G. Readman, 9, Moray Place, Edinburgh
Listed in the 1944 Colliery Year Book, with directors:
- W. Thorneycroft, Plean House, Plean (Chair)
- A.B. Allan, South Cottage, Portincross
- H.C.C. Forrester, Tullibody House, Cambus
- Sir G.A. Mitchell, 9, Lowther Terrace, Kelvinside
- W.B. Mitchell, Renova, Strathblane
- A.F.C. Forrester, Airth Castle, Airth
- J.A.L. Forrester, Grange Stables, Linlithgow
- H.R.Neilson, Morishall, Beith
Pits in West Lothian (1924)
- Whitrigg, employing 260 underground and 93 surface workers; manager J.B. Nelson
Pits in West Lothian (1944)
- Whitrigg, employing 600 underground and 250 surface workers; manager D. Gibb
References
MR ROBERT FORRESTER, OF DENOVAN.
We have pleasure of reproducing from the “Men You Know"series presently appearing the Wednesday "Falkirk Herald." the above photograph and the following sketch of Mr Robert Forrester, of Messrs R. Forrester and Co., Ltd., coalmasters.
Mr Robert Forrester coalmaster, is a son the late Mr Robert Forrester, proprietor of Roughrigg Collieries, and nephew of the late James Merry, member of Parliament for Falkirk Burghs. Born in Ayrshire, the subject of our sketch was educated at Blairlodge School and Glasgow University. Amongst his school associates at Blairlodge were Mr H. A. Salvesen of Lathallan, Major Salvesen of Toravon, Mr Stewart of Polkemmet, Major Fenton-Livingstone of Westquarter, Mr F. Johnston, Woodville, Falkirk; and Mr John and Mr Wm. Holms Paisley. Mr Forrester studied engineering at Cowlairs Engineering Works, and received his commercial training in the firm William Graham and Company, merchants. Glasgow, of which business Sir John H. N. Graham, Bart, Larbert, is the head.
Over twenty years ago the “Man You Know” entered his father's business, and he is now senior partner of the firm Robert Forrester and Company. Limited, coal masters, Glasgow. The firm possess extensive collieries at Roughrigg, Blackbraee; at Whitburn, Linlithgowshire; and at Cardenden, Fifeshire. At these collieries some 1100 men are employed, and the output of coal is about 1400 tons per day. They produce some the best export coal in Scotland, and the firm has an extensive export trade with the Continent, shipping from Bo’ness, Grangemouth, Burntisland, Methil, Leith, Glasgow, and Ardrossan. The bulk their coal is utilised for bunkering of steamers, for which purpose it is very suitable, and has attained high reputation. To the Royal Commission which was appointed a few years ago to inquire into the coal resources the country. Mr Forrester’s firm made a return showing that in their then leaseholds they possessed over 200 million tons of coal. Since then R. Forrester and Co., Ltd., have acquired further leaseholds, so that so far as this company is concerned there appears to no likelihood their coal supplies being wrought out for many years to come.
The firm are presently developing their coalfield considerably, and are sinking pit some 200 fathoms deep, and equipping it for an output 1000 tons per eight hours’ shift. The company have instituted a “Gothenburg” public-house at Whitburn. From the profits which have accumulated since its opening, and which are devoted to local purposes, it has been decided to build hall for the place. Mr Forrester is a member the Stirlingshire County Council on which body he represents the Muiravonside (East) Division. A man of remarkable business ability, and of discerning judgement, is a decided acquisition to the Council. In the affairs of the Eastern Committee he takes prominent and intelligent part. He follows that closely and carefully, and has several times prevented questions being rushed through, with regard to which greater consideration, was necessary. While his opinions on certain matters business have not always been endorsed by the majority of his colleagues, he can be credited with sincerity of purpose, and with desire to safeguard and promote the interests of the ratepayers. He is regular attender of the meetings of the Council, and he has shown himself fully conversant with the needs of the division of Muiravonside which he represents, and which he has large business interests.
That he takes a large share in the general work of the Council is shown by the fact that he is a member of the Finance and General Purposes Committee for the county, member of the East Stirlingshire Fever Hospital Committee, of the Water Committee, and the Valuation Appeal Court. He also represents the County Council on the County Licensing Committee. To him is due the credit for having gates erected by the North British Railway Company protect the public from what was for years an unprotected and dangerous railway crossing over the public road at Blackbraes. He raised this question at a meeting of the Eastern District Committee and as the result of his advocacy the responsibility which the Railway Company had in the matter was brought home to them, and they were obliged, in the interests of public safety, to have the crossing suitably protected. Mr Forrester is a member of the Glasgow Stirlingshire and Sons of the Rock Society, and connected with the Dunipace Parish Church. He resides on the prettily situated and finely wooded estate of Denovan, Dunipace. A very busy man, Mr Forrester has little time for sport, but when his leisure permits he plays golf, as member Stirling Golf Club, and lawn tennis with the Denny Club. He is a keen motorist, and has toured throughout Scotland in his magnificent car. He has also done a great deal of Continental travel, having visited France, Germany, Switzerland, Holland, and Belgium. Mr Forrester married, twelve years ago, Miss Fielding, a Kentish lady, who is granddaughter of Fielding, the novelist, and a niece of Mr Leckie Ewing, the present laird of Arngonery, near Kippen. Although at present perhaps one of the least known of our county gentlemen, having only recently entered public life, Mr Forrester is one of our younger county men who is proving himself a most useful public representative, and the longer he is known the greater will the esteem in which he is held.
Linlithgowshire Gazette, 16th October 1908
