The South East of Scotland had a significant 19th century ironworking industry. In the 1860s it was noted that the ‘foundries and machine shops’ of Edinburgh, Leith, and Dalkeith ‘turn out a considerable quantity of machinery’ (Bremner 1869, 49). The former 19th century iron foundry on Halmyre Street in Edinburgh was excavated in the 2010s. Remains from the foundry and from a 20th-century tram engineering works were uncovered. On the other side of Edinburgh, over at Cramond, there were significant early 19th century iron mills. However, these had closed by the 1870s (Cadell 1973, 36). Some archaeological interventions have been undertaken at Cramond, but the area has significant potential for further study.
Small-scale smithies also persisted into the 19th and 20th centuries, in both rural and urban areas. A number of upstanding buildings associated with blacksmiths’ forges were identified by John Hume in the mid-20th century (Hume 1976). However, written and map evidence suggests that the smithies identified by Hume only represent a small proportion of the forges once present in the region. A interdisciplinary project on smithies, integrating 19th-century map data, with field survey, and standing building recording, could be beneficial.
Metalworking Research Questions
- What can we discover about goldsmiths and silversmiths? To what extent was the working of precious metals focused on Edinburgh?
- What can we learn about the rise and decline of iron foundries in South East Scotland during the modern period?
- What can we discover about wrought iron in the region during the modern period?
- What can we learn about the work of blacksmiths?
- What can we find out about the region’s wire works?