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Students at both Glasgow Caledonian and Edinburgh Napier Universities are working on producing 3D images of the yard from photographs and sketches. Some examples of the work being undertaken will be available on the web-site shortly.
The main purpose of this web-site is to establish a detailed record of Scott & Sons Bowling Ltd. Shipbuilders and Ship and Engine Repairers. Initially the project will focus on the years 1958 - 1965, and will then go on to consider the final years up to the yard closure in 1979.
Welcome to Scott & Sons (Bowling) Ltd.
Scott & Sons Bowling Ltd was a small Yard on the banks of the Clyde at Bowling near Glasgow. The Yard built mainly Tugs and Coasters. The aim of the web site is to create a record of events for the years 1958 to 1965. These years span the period between Scott & Sons becoming a registered limited company and being taken over by Scott's of Greenock.
The National Archive at Glasgow University holds the Yard records, and these are very comprehensive and well worth a visit. While this project will draw on the Archive material I am particularly interested in the personal stories of people who worked in the yard or their families. In addition I would like to hear from the men who sailed on the ships.
Scott & Sons was an important Yard in terms of its contribution to the social and industrial history of the Clyde. The work that was carried out there needs to be fully documented and available for all to see. We need your stories, photographs and comments in order to build the record. All contributions will be acknowledged and referenced. While we are particularly interested in the years 1958 - 1965, we want to hear from anyone who has information about the Yard or the people who worked there regardless of the date. Please take the opportunity to contact the project and to contribute to building the record.
Contact Alistair Baird: Tel 07974278344 e-mail alistairbaird@btinternet.com
Photograph of the Yard taken from the railway bridge in July 1962 (MV Olive being built on the stocks and the Puffer Boer sitting astern) Copyright Alistair Baird
Lunchtime outside the Engine Shop, Summer 1962 Copyright Davie Taylor
Names left to right (back row and standing) - Robert Wilson, Jim Cooper, George Taylor, Callum Bromley, Alec McAdam, John Drane, Alistair Baird, Gordon Cobb, Maurice Ferguson, Dick McGilchrist, Bill McTavish, Allan Dennett. Front row left to right - Allan Cameron, Neil Lindsay, George Gillies and Alec Thomson.
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The Engine Shop Door, left to right: Albert ........., Robert Wilson, Maurice Ferguson, Alec Thomson, Jackie Forsyth, Harry Hope and John Drane
Feature Section
It is intended to have a Features Section, which will look in some detail at one part of the yard, a ship, a work area or a story. Planned features include, The Yard in 3D Animation, MV Strongbow, and The Catch Boys Story.
By way of an introduction to what is intended, I have included some photographs of Frisky Wharf which were taken in 2012. It is evident from the pictures that the structure is unlikely to survive for much longer.
The original Frisky Wharf or the Pier as it was known in the yard, was built in 1850. The Pier provided a stop off point for Clyde steamer passengers who could then travel on the new railway line to Balloch and board the steamers on Loch Lomond.
The following photographs were taken on 4 March 2012 and reflect the damage caused by a February storm.
