Catalogue of Archives and Manuscripts Collections | National Library of Scotland | NLSMSS | ‘Beginning and the end of the Lewis Chemical Works', a detailed account written by D Morison, former foreman of the plant, of its operation from 1857 to 1874.

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Conditions Governing Use

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Scope and Contents

The Lewis Chemical Works was established by Sir James Matheson, proprietor of Lewis, to distil tar and paraffin oils from the abundant local peat. Sited above the south side of the River Creed, near Stornoway, it suffered, according to Morison's account, from incompetent management, lack of expert supervision, and peculation by imported employees, accumulating financial losses which led to closure in 1874.
Seven line drawings and plans (folios 2, 39, 40, 43, 47, 50, 61) are included in the volume.
Bibliography
With the exception of the drawings, the complete text has been published by T I Rae in ‘Scottish industrial history; a miscellany’, ‘Scottish History Society’ (1978), pages 182-212.
Arrangement

61 folios.
Immediate Source of Acquisition

Presented, 1967, by D R Morrison, Kingussie.

‘Beginning and the end of the Lewis Chemical Works', a detailed account written by D Morison, former foreman of the plant, of its operation from 1857 to 1874. Edit