Dundas Shale Oil Co.

Started:

c.1868

Finished:

c.1869

Registered office:

Not known

Oil works:

Almondhill Oil Works

A firm established to produce oil from shales found in the Dundas estate, property of George Dundas of Dundas. R.T. Pattison was also a partner of the Kirkliston Oil Co.

The 1870 Edinburghshire County Post Office directory lists under "Kirkliston" George Anderson, Manager, Dundas Shale & Oil Co.

Partners

Robert Thompson Pattison,
John Moncrieff Mitchell,
W. H. Moncrieff

The Dunfermline Saturday Press, of 27th October 1866 reported that lease of the Dundas shalefield had been taken on by "Captain Pattison, Ayrshire".

Robert Thompson Pattison came from "old and prominent Glasgow stock". His uncle John, and great uncle John, "owned much of Kelvingrove" and made their fortune in the Calico trade. Robert Thompson Pattison's calico printing business was made bankrupt in 1847 In 1859 he patented improvements in dyeing fabric resident at Daldorch house, county of Ayr. In 1868 he was made Captain in the Royal Ayrshire and Wigtownshire militia.

1861 census

Age 47, born Glasgow
Address: Mytten, Cuckfield Sussex (home of brother-in-law)
Occupation: Captain in the volunteers militia funded
Wife: Delia (36)

1871 census

Age 47, born Glasgow
Address: Loan House, High St. South side
Occupation: Oil manufacturer
Wife: Delia (46)

1881 census

Age 57, born Glasgow
Address: Ormlie villa, Murrayfield, Midlothian
Occupation: Artist
Wife: Delia (56)

Robert Thompson Pattison was made a Baillie of Queensferry in 1873

The Moncrieff and Mitchells were also prominent Glasgow merchant families with marital links to the Pattisons

Newspaper references

CLAIM BY MINERAL PROPRIETORS. Messrs R.T. Pattison, John Moncrieff Mitchell, & W H. Moncrieff, Glasgow, lessees the Dundas Shale Oil Works, and carrying on business the "Dundas Shale Oil Company," claimed to be inserted upon the roll of voters for the county as lessees of certain minerals on the estate Dundas. They held the subjects under a lease for nineteen years, at a rental of £600 per annum. The year was a trial year, and the ensuing half-year the rental per agreement was only £116, but after that the stipulated rent was paid. The tack the subjects was only signed in February last, but possession for the necessary period was not disputed. The claim was opposed by Mr Lancaster, but the objections were repelled, and the three partners admitted the roll.

Edinburgh Evening Courant, 5th October 1868