Our series on Dunfermline’s industrial past continues with an article by George Beattie on the history of Michael Tod and Sons Ltd., Engineers. This firm traded from 1872 to 1960 and was an international supplier of mechanical engineering equipment to the mining and textile industries. They also built, in partnership with George Kay the coach-builder, a prototype three-wheeler car.
What Happened to the Monks of Dunfermline Abbey?
We all know that during the reformation, the Abbeys were abolished. Much of Dunfermline Abbey is now ruined, but the Church is, of course, still in use. But what about the people involved? In this article, Sue Mowat explains the events of the Reformation in Dunfermline and tells us “What Happened to the Monks“.
George Kay and Sons, Coach-builders
by George Beattie Born in 1854, George Kay served an apprenticeship as a coach-builder with the firm of David Doig who had premises in Randolph Street, Dunfermline. In 1881, he entered into a partnership with William Darroch Wilkinson and founded Messrs Kay and Wilkinson, Coach-builders, operating from a small workshop off New Row, Dunfermline. The Dunfermline Trades Directory of 1885 shows Messrs Kay and Wilkinson, Coach-builders, at 8, 10 and 12 New Row. The 1888/89 directory shows that the firm was operating at St. Margaret’s Coachworks, North Inglis Street. Mr Wilkinson was a Glaswegian and he left the business shortly thereafter to start a coach-building enterprise for himself, named Comely Park Coach Works, at 89 Priory Lane, Dunfermline. George Kay, however, carried on St Margaret’s Coachworks under his own name and soon gained a reputation as a master craftsman in the art of building and repairing horse-drawn carriages of the Victorian era such as landaus, broughams, dog carts, etc. In 1912, the firm moved again to larger premises at No. 34 Inglis Street where the business was to operate until 1976, when re-development of that area necessitated a further move to more modern premises in Campbell Street. During the early part of the century George Kay was joined in the business by his three sons, Dick, Jimmy and John. Dick and Jimmy served their apprenticeships as coach-painters whilst John was trained to run the office. Dick, who in later years would play a…
John McChlery – McLean’s Headmaster for 37 years
McLean School is one of Dunfermline’s oldest Primary Schools, founded in 1842. John McChlery was it’s headmaster from his qualification to his retirement. In “John McChlery, Headmaster of McLean School 1848 – 1885” Elaine Campbell tells us of his long career, of the early history of McLean and more generally of education in Dunfermline in the 19th Century.
Call for articles!
We are always looking for short articles on local history topics which will be of interest to visitors to the site. Have you an interesting recollection of life in Dunfermline? Do you know an unusual piece of local history? These can appear either as articles or shorter “Did You Know” pages on this site or as links to documents published elsewhere online. Authors retain copyright of any material submitted. We invite all members to submit articles to the editors.