A fun stroll in the woods, with some friends – big concrete things, little machine things, secret paths and comedy “run away!” moments – what more could you want?
All images:
[fsg_gallery id=”1″]
A fun stroll in the woods, with some friends – big concrete things, little machine things, secret paths and comedy “run away!” moments – what more could you want?
All images:
[fsg_gallery id=”1″]
Hi Ben,
Like many others I have been avidly viewing your Bishopton series. But I have enjoyed the ICI Nobel set just as much. There’s a little more history and your ‘finds’, such as the building plans are superb.
I’ll be back to keep on checking your excellent research. Thanks for your efforts.
Regards Russ
PS: Is your book of Bishopton digital or a paper copy?
Thanks Russ 🙂
That’s what I find fascinating about both locations – Bishopton was very secret, it didn’t even appear on OS maps until the year 2000, and there’s not much documentation, but much of it is almost untouched. Nobel’s was a commercial company, so there are brochures and documents galore, but the physical remains are fewer (and rapidly being destroyed).
The book is a proper paper one – printed on demand – though it covers Nobel’s as well…
Ben,
I discovered your photos of Ardeer today after looking for some info on ROF Bishopton.
My father, Archie M McDonald, was Plant Engineer in Ardeer factory from about 1962- 1967. I was never in the factory itself, but I remember a few occasions when he was telephoned out of hours to deal with some problem or other, including the occasion when 3 workers died in an explosion.
We were all relieved when he retired from ICI.
Ben very interesting, both sites, Bishopton and Ardeer. I have always had an interest in these places particularly Bishopton. Have you ever found any official documentation pertaining to the site? Also do you think the explosive act still applies? I know they still have security but it is a big site.
Cheers
Jim
The explosive act (MSER 2005) definitely still applies – it will, as far as I know, until the Health & Safety Executive certify that the site is explosive-free. So yes, it is criminal trespass to enter.
The only documentation I’ve found about Bishopton is the info in the planning applications on the council website – some of it is very detailed, however, and that’s what I used to make my maps. Apart from that thee’s some information in the book “Dangerous Energy”.
Excellent work Ben, pity there wasn’t a building to keep some of this old equipment before its destroyed and lost forever
Great photograph record, well done
Africa House was the staff restaurant not offices.
Wonderful images we went on holiday when I was young60ish years ago to Stevenson from Glasgow. We stayed with a family who had a letting room every year and they became part of the family . Annie worked in the Dinamit not sure how to spell it but can still hear her say it . They were lovely people wonderful holidays happy memories. It was great to see this interesting dangerous place she worked for all her working life amazed at how much is still there and sad it’s not been made into a museum