MY MOTHER USED TO PULL A ZINC BATH ON A HOMEMADE TROLLEY TO DALMARNOCK GASWORKS TO BUY CHAR = THE COAL AFTER THE GAS HAD BEEN EXTRACTED .WE BURNED IT IN THE KITCHEN FIRE .
Another great video Ed, well researched and presented. Also, I must say that your music on this one, especially over the end credits, is some of the best I have heard you create.
Hello Ed! Thank you for another interesting and informative video! I’m writing from California - and I’ve always wondered about those exact monstrosities every time I’m home visiting my Mum in Kelvindale!
Thank you for all the work you put into this, Ed🌟. In the early 80's my Gran lived in the "big flats" in Anniesland by the library and we could see the gas works from the window. Quite emotional thinking about it.
There is a gas works museum in Biggar. A house that was built in the 80s on our old gas works land had to be pulled down after 10 years due to poisons accumulating from the contaminated ground. You are correct privatising nation critical Monopolies was foolish even worse creating false markets that lined the fanciers pockets .
Another fyne insight, Eddie. I have a pleasing view of the Gas tanks at Provan. Stories abounded that they were to be dismantled, to make way for the new barlinnie prison. Originally there was 3, 2 remain. Apparently they have a 'listed' status that British gas (or their chinese owners) were trying to over rule... I think Dublin (?) has turned one of theirs into a play park. Other supporters to preserve the structures have claimed apartment style living could be built within them. If anything; these structures should be preserved as a testament to when britain was great. Interestingly, my uncle was a leerie back in the early 70's. I recall him lighting tenement close heid lamps that were fuelled by gas, but don't recall him lighting street lights. Never knew about the Townhead gas works ahent provands lordship. Everyday's a school day Eddie! Cheers. Harri
Scotland led this industry right to its end In 1960 the Lurgi Process Gasworks opened at Westfield, Fife. It used low quality coal to produce gas at high pressure, enabling it to supply a wide area from Dundee across Fife & central Scotland (exc Edin &Glas where conversion to oil as a feedstock kept industry alive att the end) meaning a large number of small town Gasworks could be closed , keeping the fuel economic by means of the first regional gas distribution network. Low quality coal ment the heating capacity of the gas suffered, but it was boosted back up to the requisite 500btu/cuft by injecting gas from the byproduct of oil refining across the water at Grangemouth. However, north sea gas had twice the thermal capacity at much lower cost, so conversion to natural gas from 1974 left the Lurgi plant unviable by 1980. Still much on site about 5 yrs ago. Great video of an industry only recently past.
Exactly. Clearly we have to transition in some way to save the planet. But we have enough coal here in Scotland and in the rest of the UK to cope with that transition. Why are we importing coal?
I remember the switchover to North sea gas and the bold statement that it would last well into the 2020's and I remember my dads comment, "aye very good, and then what do we do after that?" We are getting our answer now, depend on other countries for gas. Not that we could reinstate town gas as we have no coal mines left and I cant imagine the Green lobby ever tolerating the reopening of coal mining.
I agree with you Ed. It was the same in the Southeast US. Living 80 years, you see many change’s, some good and some not so good. They call it progress, and then looking back it’s hard to understand why we’re all in a confounding mess. Progress backwards to the future, with no regard for the actual needs of the people. I enjoyed your video. Take care. Lynn in Naples FL 😎💫
Were I grew up there were two huge gas tanks in the late 50's into the 60's when they were torn down. Railcars of coal were still plentiful and many homes were still heating with coal fired furnaces. The disappearance of these resources coincided with the collapse of the Shoe/Textile/Tannery Industry In New England. There were some tough times. Great video Ed. Thanks.
More, more, bravo, bravo. Thanks Eddy (not sure if its Eddy or Eddie)? Love your research, maps, new and old and just your sense of what matters and what should 'get tae'. A true Scotsman who cares. Cheers
Gas holders were still in use in Scotland right into the 2000's, i know, i worked on them. Horrible, smelly, dirty, works, yet cleaverly designed to store gas gas when it wasn't needed, say 9.30 - till peak periods 4-7 p.m when the domestic load kicked in. Eyesores when they were built, yet a public outcry, including aviation bodies when they were getting pulled down.
The Utilities land on prime location that was once owned by us was sold off as a Brucey Bonus to Maggies chums something that is forgotten. Look at the ROF at Bishopton. That sold to British Aerospace who promptly moved propellant production to south Africa. It is now sold on as a vast housing estate more cash for Maggie's chums.
How very True and as a 92 year old remember the Gas street lighting and the Gasometers at Grnton Edinburgh.Thank You
I’m positive the gas world in provanmill were still inflating in my childhood in the 90s
MY MOTHER USED TO PULL A ZINC BATH ON A HOMEMADE TROLLEY TO DALMARNOCK GASWORKS TO BUY CHAR = THE COAL AFTER THE GAS HAD BEEN EXTRACTED .WE BURNED IT IN THE KITCHEN FIRE .
Another great video Ed, well researched and presented. Also, I must say that your music on this one, especially over the end credits, is some of the best I have heard you create.
Yes , Scotland did have many thriving industries ! Going to be political here , INDEPENDENCE . Enjoyed the film . toni
Hello Ed! Thank you for another interesting and informative video!
I’m writing from California - and I’ve always wondered about those exact monstrosities every time I’m home visiting my Mum in Kelvindale!
Somebody running riot with a Meccano set!
@@EdExploresScotland PS- I want to go on one of your walks with you next time I’m there! Haha! But for real!
Got some stunning sunrise pics from the top of one of the gasometers at Anniesland a few years ago 🤪
There's something strangely beautiful about these structures.
Thank you for all the work you put into this, Ed🌟. In the early 80's my Gran lived in the "big flats" in Anniesland by the library and we could see the gas works from the window. Quite emotional thinking about it.
There is a gas works museum in Biggar. A house that was built in the 80s on our old gas works land had to be pulled down after 10 years due to poisons accumulating from the contaminated ground. You are correct privatising nation critical Monopolies was foolish even worse creating false markets that lined the fanciers pockets .
Another fyne insight, Eddie. I have a pleasing view of the Gas tanks at Provan. Stories abounded that they were to be dismantled, to make way for the new barlinnie prison. Originally there was 3, 2 remain. Apparently they have a 'listed' status that British gas (or their chinese owners) were trying to over rule... I think Dublin (?) has turned one of theirs into a play park. Other supporters to preserve the structures have claimed apartment style living could be built within them. If anything; these structures should be preserved as a testament to when britain was great. Interestingly, my uncle was a leerie back in the early 70's. I recall him lighting tenement close heid lamps that were fuelled by gas, but don't recall him lighting street lights.
Never knew about the Townhead gas works ahent provands lordship. Everyday's a school day Eddie!
Cheers.
Harri
We never stop learning. Cheers Harry.
Scotland led this industry right to its end
In 1960 the Lurgi Process Gasworks opened at Westfield, Fife. It used low quality coal to produce gas at high pressure, enabling it to supply a wide area from Dundee across Fife & central Scotland (exc Edin &Glas where conversion to oil as a feedstock kept industry alive att the end) meaning a large number of small town Gasworks could be closed , keeping the fuel economic by means of the first regional gas distribution network. Low quality coal ment the heating capacity of the gas suffered, but it was boosted back up to the requisite 500btu/cuft by injecting gas from the byproduct of oil refining across the water at Grangemouth.
However, north sea gas had twice the thermal capacity at much lower cost, so conversion to natural gas from 1974 left the Lurgi plant unviable by 1980. Still much on site about 5 yrs ago.
Great video of an industry only recently past.
Wow this was a real eye opener for me, thanks for taking the time and making such a huge effort to make such great videos.
Cheers guys.
There's still enough coal under Scotland to sustain about 100 years of gas production
Exactly. Clearly we have to transition in some way to save the planet. But we have enough coal here in Scotland and in the rest of the UK to cope with that transition. Why are we importing coal?
I remember the switchover to North sea gas and the bold statement that it would last well into the 2020's and I remember my dads comment, "aye very good, and then what do we do after that?" We are getting our answer now, depend on other countries for gas. Not that we could reinstate town gas as we have no coal mines left and I cant imagine the Green lobby ever tolerating the reopening of coal mining.
Remember the Clarkston gas explosion in 1971? There were 22 deaths at the shops there.
I agree with you Ed. It was the same in the Southeast US. Living 80 years, you see many change’s, some good and some not so good. They call it progress, and then looking back it’s hard to understand why we’re all in a confounding mess. Progress backwards to the future, with no regard for the actual needs of the people. I enjoyed your video.
Take care. Lynn in Naples FL 😎💫
Thanks Lynn. It's going to be an interesting year.
Were I grew up there were two huge gas tanks in the late 50's into the 60's when they were torn down. Railcars of coal were still plentiful and many homes were still heating with coal fired furnaces. The disappearance of these resources coincided with the collapse of the Shoe/Textile/Tannery Industry In New England. There were some tough times.
Great video Ed. Thanks.
Many thanks. Perhaps we could still make our own gas, and other things.
Brilliant video Ed,
Nice wee surprise to watch after work cheers Ed very interesting always wondered what the 2 big structures were every time I drive into Glasgow
very interesting ed....another great video thanks!
Thank you for this!
More, more, bravo, bravo. Thanks Eddy (not sure if its Eddy or Eddie)? Love your research, maps, new and old and just your sense of what matters and what should 'get tae'. A true Scotsman who cares. Cheers
Thank you.
Large storage facilities for LPG were closed at ports as a cost cutting measure by the privatised utilities.
Awesome presentation! Thank you.
Many thanks.
There’s still an old gas holder in Dundee, Ed. It might be getting transformed into an Eden Project!
Oh the future!
Another great video and Bo'ness being mentioned in consecutive weeks.
Thanks!
Thank you.
Great Video and Narration as Always A follower from Auld Reekie 👍🏼
Thank you.
I climbed that rusty one about a month ago
great scot. thank you.
Gas holders were still in use in Scotland right into the 2000's, i know, i worked on them. Horrible, smelly, dirty, works, yet cleaverly designed to store gas gas when it wasn't needed, say 9.30 - till peak periods 4-7 p.m when the domestic load kicked in. Eyesores when they were built, yet a public outcry, including aviation bodies when they were getting pulled down.
Until Mrs Thatcher sold down the river
I think we'll live to see the mines reopened.
The Utilities land on prime location that was once owned by us was sold off as a Brucey Bonus to Maggies chums something that is forgotten. Look at the ROF at Bishopton. That sold to British Aerospace who promptly moved propellant production to south Africa. It is now sold on as a vast housing estate more cash for Maggie's chums.