Dumbarton Glass Works
Location type
WorksName and dates
Dumbarton Glass Works (1776-1850)Description
This works was established in 1776/7 on the east bank of the River Leven and west of the St Mary's Collegiate Church. It came to be associated with the Dixon family, also known for the Govan Iron Works.
The works demanded coal and the Knightswood Waggonway brought coal from Knightswood to the River Clyde in Yoker where it was transported by vessel to the glass works. In 1806 the Calder Coal Co had a contract to provide 25,000 carts of coal annually. Kelp was sourced from the Highlands.
The works produced most of the glass in Scotland and exported widely.
With the death of several members of the Dixon family the works was in decline in the 1830 and many staff left to work in newer works elsewhere. By 1850 it was bankrupt and the site later became the Leven Engine Works and, from 1850, was crossed by the Caledonian and Dumbartonshire Junction Railway.
The Artisan Bridge, built in 1973, crosses the Leven passing through the former site. Its name recalls the former works. In the town is the Artisan Shopping Centre.
Tags
Glass worksExternal links
NLS Collection OS map of 1892-1914NLS Collection OS map of 1944-67
NLS Map
12/10/2022
| Nearby stations Dalreoch Dumbarton Central Dumbarton East Langbank Renton Alexandria Cardross Bowling Woodhall Bowling [CR] Jamestown Upper Port Glasgow Northbrae Balloch Balloch [1st] | Albert Ship Building Yard Phoenix Park Shipyard West Bridgend Shipyard Levenford Works Foundry [Levenhaugh] James Napier Blacksmith Shop Leven Viaduct [Dumbarton] Leven Engine Works Levenbank Foundry Dalreoch Junction Dennystown Forge Tourist/other Dumbarton Old Bridge Glencairn Greit Tenement Dumbarton Steamboat Quay St Serf^s Church |
| Location names in dark blue are on the same original line. | |
Chronology Dates
| / /1753 | William Dixon (Senior) Born in Newcastle. Son of John Dixon, formerly of Sunderland, later manager of the Dumbarton Glass Works. |
| / /1775 | Knightswood Waggonway John Dixon of Dumbarton Glass Works opens a waggonway from his Woodside Colliery at Knightswood to the River Clyde at Yoker. (Sources vary, the opening date could be as early as 1750.) |
| / /1850 | William Denny & Bros Ltd The site of the former Dumbarton Glass Works becomes an engine works, the Leven Engine Works owned by Tulloch & Denny (Peter Denny and John Tulloch of Greenock). |
