Scottish shale Scottish shale

Riggend Oil Works

Alternative names:
Riggend Chemical Works
Former parish and county:
Parish of New Monkland, Lanarkshire
Local authority:
North Lanarkshire
Ownership:
Thomson, Lockhart & Co.
James Ross & Co.
Opened:
Built probably c. 1866
Closed:
Dismantled after 1877
Current status of site:
Uncertain
Regional overview:
Oil works in North Lanarkshire

riggendworks500.jpg

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.

Mapped by the Ordnance Survey of c.1864, showing the vicinity of Riggend and Wattson.

  • Location map
  • Detailed maps
  • Newspaper references

      • 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.

      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.

      Scotsman, 7th January 1874

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