by EMDEE » Sun Aug 31, 2008 11:03 am
Travelling up the west road on Friday, and unusually not having to drive, it gave me an opportunity to look at some of the scenery and landmarks.
The remains of the alginate factory north of Westport are a reminder of a lost industry which operated in the 1930s and 40s. It was decided by the owners in 1940 that the plant be closed, and production transferred to Barcaldine and Girvan, and it ceased production in 1942.
My knowledge of the Barcaldine plant is that it closed in the (late) 1990s, after having provided the area with a good source of employment for all these years. I knew, and know, some of the employees who had worked there for many years.
Although that plant is now closed, it had a longer innings than any of the companies that have set up in Kintyre over the years, (including Andrew Douglas/Jaeger), and Kintyre’s loss in this case was Oban’s gain.
Merda taurorum animas conturbit. Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum videtur