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Describing the Morphology of the Surviving Material Heritage associated with the Scottish Shale Oil Industry.
Abstract
The project set out to identify and describe all material from the Scottish shale oil industry that has survived in museum, archive, and reference library collections. Systems of classification were devised and applied to this data in order to characterise and visualise the overall morphology of this surviving heritage. Some preliminary consideration was given to the comparative morphology of individual collections.
Introduction.
Shale oil was an important component of Scotland's heavy industries, and pioneered processes and practices that were subsequently adopted throughout the world. The Bathgate Chemical Works, established in1851 by James Young and partners, arguably represented the first industrial-scale processing of mineral oils anywhere in the world. This gave rise to an industry based on coal oil that briefly operated at sites throughout the Scottish coalfields, and (more significantly,) the shale oil industry centred in West Lothian that operated between 1860 and 1962.
This study forms part of a year-long project conducted by Almond Valley Heritage Trust, and funded by Museums Galleries Scotland and the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation. Full results of the national survey, including object-level descriptions, are to be published through a website (www.scottishshale.co.uk) which should provide a tool of value in directing research and informing collecting activity.
Methodology
Prior to this work no detailed information was available on the extent of the surviving material heritage of the Scottish shale oil industry, as represented by items in museum and archive collections.
Scotland's National Audit of museum collections, published in 2002, was the first comprehensive survey of Scotland's museum collections. The information this provided was not of sufficient detail to distinguish collections relating to specific industries, but has guided subsequent works. The Scottish Textile Heritage Project and the Scottish Coal Collections Survey are two notable industry-specific surveys that have taken place since the Audit. Both impressive bodies of work have succeeded, amongst other achievements, in publishing collection-level descriptions of all institutions with relevant holdings relating to their industry. In most respects the scope and ambitions of the shale oil industry survey were substantially more modest, however due to the comparatively small scale and discrete pattern of activity of the shale oil industry, opportunity was taken to seek object-level descriptions of materials in museums and archives wherever possible.
An invitation to participate in an on-line shale oil collection survey was issued to all museums and archives in Scotland, certain English institutions, and museums in parts of Australia with historical links to the Scottish shale oil industry . Scottish Museums were approached through an e-mail list provided by Museums Galleries Scotland and through the membership list of the Scottish Transport and Industrial Collections and Knowledge group. Research previously conducted by the museum had identified over a hundred shale-oil or coal-oil enterprises, extending across the central belt of Scotland. In areas where oil works were known to have existed, relevant details of these were included in the invitation to participate. Often a very productive dialogue occurred as a consequence. The vast majority of museums and archives contacted were extremely helpful and cooperative, but where no response was initially received, follow-up e-mail or telephone contact was made with all institutions where there seemed a realistic possibility of them
(see appendix one)
(see appendix two)
Page One
holding shale-associated material. In the case of National Archives of Scotland and the BP Archive at the University of Warwick, information was extracted from an on-line catalogue. Other on-line resources (such as SCRAN) and relevant publications were searched for any holdings that had not been revealed in the survey. By the end of this process, there was a confidence that all significant holdings of relevant material in museums and archives had been identified. Of the 338 organisations surveyed, responses were received from 103 organisations, of which 47 held some material relating to the Scottish shale oil industry. A total of 7,620 collection items were ultimately identified.
Existing object classification systems, such as the Social History and Industrial Classification (SHIC), are not sufficiently detailed to provide a useful tool for classification of shale oil collections. Various institutions have devised detailed classifications for specialist industrial collections (eg coal mining), yet few common methodologies and standards exist. After study of good practice in other subject areas, a classification system specific to the shale oil industry was devised.
The new classification scheme was designed to relate objects to key activities of the shale oil industry rather than providing a taxonomic system to differentiate between the surviving pool of objects. From the outset it was recognised that certain activities would be better represented in collections due to the nature of associated objects (such as their scale, material, or ownership) which has led to their survival.
The principal index of the classification system, applied to all collection items, encompasses “Processes, Practices and Impact.” (see appendix three). This index associates objects to the technical processes or commercial activities of the oil industry, or reflects the community or environmental impact of their operations. All items were mapped to this index using the single most appropriate category.
A second index relates to “Historical Chapter”, intended to illustrate the association between collection items and key trends or episodes in the history of the industry more effectively than a simple date of manufacture or use. chapters were recognised and defined in supporting narrative.
A third index relates to “Geographical Location”. This is based on present day local authority boundaries and is intended to provide a more consistent description of geographical areas of activity than the “location” field in collection records.
A fourth index relates to “Item Type”; classing each item as either an archive item (including paper ephemera), a media item (eg an original photograph, film or sound recording), a three-dimensional museum object (including product samples), or a geological specimen.
Eleven
Describing the morphology of the surviving material heritage associated with the Scottish shale oil industry.
Page Two
Alm
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Figure One
Occurrence of Shale Oil Items in Collections A plot of the total number of shale-related items in the collection of every institution that responded to the survey. Institutions reporting no holdings are omitted. The term “item” encompasses all archives, media, museum objects and specimens.
Num
ber
of I
tem
s
Page Three
Describing the morphology of the surviving material heritage associated with the Scottish shale oil industry.
Almond Valley
1079 archives708 media
942 objects9 specimens
A
M
O AM
BP Archive2360 archives
64 media
British Geological Survey143 archives
14 media30 objects
60 specimens
A
OS
A
M
West Lothian Libraries127 archives
92 media
Fife County Archives183 archives
A
S
NMS Natural Sciences100 specimens
National Archives of Scotland
M
A
461 archives70 media
Hunterian Museum
42 objects302 specimens
SO
NMS Science & Technology8 archives
6 media116 objects
7 specimens
O
Figure Two
Relative Size and Composition of Major Holdings of Items in Museum and Archive Collections
The area of each sector is proportional to the number of items. From a total of 7,620 items, 4,755 were archive items, 1,182 were three-dimensional museum objects, 1,087 were classed as media and 596 were geological specimens.
All collections with containing over 100 relevant items are illustrated. The term “item” encompasses all archives, media, objects and specimens associated with the Scottish shale or coal oil industries.
A
M
O
S
Archives, including records, plans and paper ephemera
Media, including photographs, lantern slides, film and sound recordings
Object: any three-dimensional museum artefact.
Specimen: geological and paleontological samples.
Page Four
Describing the morphology of the surviving material heritage associated with the Scottish shale oil industry.
Figure Three
Distribution of Items against Industry Classification
Each item was mapped against the most appropriate classification in an index describing the “Processes, Practices and Impact” of the Scottish Shale Oil Industry. Graph 3a illustrates the distribution of all items identified in the survey, including those in the Almond Valley Collection. Graph 3b illustrates the Almond Valley collection alone. The term “item” encompasses all archives, media, objects and specimens associated with the Scottish shale or coal oil industries.
1.1.1 Geological maps and publications1.1.2 Mineral and fossil specimens1.1.3 Geologist and prospector's equipment1.1.4 Annotated maps, and bore data1.2.1 Underground mining plans1.2.2 Underground haulage and winding 1.2.3 Underground machinery and services1.2.4 Underground hand tools, lamps and graith 1.2.5 Surface mine layout, buildings and services1.2.6 Opencast mining and other extraction1.3.1 Retort design 1.3.2 Oilworks layout, buildings and services 1.3.3 Breaking and handling of shale1.3.4 Disposal of spent shale1.3.5 Crude oil processing1.3.6 Ammonium sulphate production1.3.7 Internal transport and storage 1.4.1 Refinery layout, buildings and services 1.4.2 Distillation and fractionation1.4.3 Cracking1.4.4 Wax separation and processing1.5.1 Acid production1.5.2 Coal mining1.5.3 Candle and wax product production1.5.4 Brick production1.5.5 Blaes sales1.5.6 Detergent production1.5.7 Forestry for pit props1.5.8 Young’s lamps1.5.9 Engineering workshops1.5.10 Engineering industry and other suppliers1.6.1 Quality control and laboratory processes1.6.2 Experimental plant and processes 1.6.3 Professional journals & technical publications2.1.1 James Young and the origins of the industry2.1.2 Other notable entrepreneurs2.1.3 Shares, capital and investors2.1.4 Company minutes, accounts & finance2.1.5 Licences, patents and litigation2.1.6 Cost statements and production statistics2.1.7 Political and economic influences2.1.8 General office operations 2.2.1 Leases and lets2.2.2 Company housing2.2.3 Public buildings and facilities2.2.4 Agricultural and general estate operations2.2.5 Subsidence, waste and land management2.2.6 Surveyor and drawing office (equipment)2.3.1 Managerial, professional and administrative staff2.3.2 Trades and labour: underground2.3.3 Trades and labour: surface2.3.4 Safety, rescue and accidents: underground 2.3.5 Safety, rescue and accidents: surface2.3.6 Wages, contracts and conditions of employment2.3.7 Labour disputes and redundancies2.3.8 Welfare funds and facilities2.4.1 Bulk transport and storage of products2.4.2 Barrels, cans, containers and packaging2.4.3 Sales offices, agents and distribution depots2.4.4 Advertising and promotional materials2.4.5 Major customers (e.g. NBR, lighthouses)3.1.1 Worker’s representation3.1.2 Occupational health 3.1.3 Personal histories: working lives (e.g. oral histories)3.2.1 Friendly societies and cooperatives3.2.2 Public health (e.g. sewage, drainage)3.2.3 Personal histories: home and community lives3.2.4 Community organisations, sports and pastimes3.2.5 Events, occasions and presentations3.3.1 Emigration and overseas influence3.3.2 Environmental rehabilitation3.3.3 Celebrating and recording shale heritage 3
b. P
lot
of a
ll ite
ms
fro
m t
he A
lmo
nd V
alle
y Sh
ale
Oil
Indu
stry
Co
llect
ion.
3a.
Plo
t o
f all
item
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entif
ied
in t
he s
urve
y, in
clud
ing
tho
se fr
om
the
Alm
ond
Val
ley
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llect
ion.
Page Five
Describing the morphology of the surviving material heritage associated with the Scottish shale oil industry.
80
0
60
0
40
0
20
0 00
40
0
20
0
No. of items. No. of items.
Figure Four
Distribution of Items against Historical Chapter.
Each item was plotted against the most appropriate historical chapter of the shale oil industry. Where records were not sufficiently detailed to make such a judgement, items were classed as “not determined”. The term “item” encompasses all archives, media, objects and specimens associated with the Scottish shale or coal oil industries.
3000Pooled responses : all items from all collections
Almond Valley collection items only
BP Archive collection items only
Jam
es Y
oun
g at
Bat
hgat
e (c
.18
50
- c
.18
64
)
Jam
es Y
oun
g at
Add
iew
ell (
c.1
86
5 -
c.1
87
0)
Co
al S
hale
Ent
erpr
ises
(c.
18
70
- c
.19
00
)
The
Sco
ttis
h O
ilman
ia (
c.1
86
4 -
c.1
87
0)
Shal
e O
il A
dven
ture
rs (
c.1
87
0 -
c.1
90
0)
The
Go
lden
Age
(c.
19
00
- c
.19
14
)
Stat
e In
terv
entio
n (c
.19
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- c
.19
19
)
Dec
line
and
Clo
sure
(c.
19
19
- c
.19
30
)
A S
trat
egic
Res
our
ce (
c.1
93
0 -
c.1
95
0)
The
Fin
al D
eclin
e (c
.19
50
- c
.19
90
)
Influ
ence
and
Leg
acy
of t
he In
dust
ry
No
t de
term
ined
2000
1000
0
No
. o
f Ite
ms
3000
2000
1000
0
No
. o
f Ite
ms
3000
2000
1000
0
No
. o
f Ite
ms
Historical Chapter
Page Six
Describing the morphology of the surviving material heritage associated with the Scottish shale oil industry.
Figure Five
Distribution Items against Geographical Area.
Each item was plotted against the most appropriate geographical area where oil was produced or refined. Areas are expressed in terms of present day local authority boundaries. The term “item” encompasses all archives, media, objects and specimens related to Scottish shale or coal oil industries
Cla
ckm
anna
nshi
re
East
Dun
bart
ons
hire
East
Ren
frew
shir
e
Edin
burg
h
Falk
irk
Fife
Gla
sgo
w
Mid
loth
ian
No
rth
Ayr
shir
e
No
rth
Lana
rksh
ire
Ren
frew
shir
e
Sout
h La
nark
shir
e
Stir
ling
Wes
t Lo
thia
n
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
0
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
0
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
0
Pooled responses : all items from all collections
Almond Valley collection items only
BP Archive collection items only
No
. o
f Ite
ms
No
. o
f Ite
ms
No
. o
f Ite
ms
Geographical Area
Page Seven
Describing the morphology of the surviving material heritage associated with the Scottish shale oil industry.
Discussion of Results
In association with the survey, a range of background information on the shale industry was made available on line. This reference material helped made clear the scope of the survey and as a consequence all responses to the survey were fully relevant to its objectives.
The survey and associated research led to the identification and characterisation of 7,620 different items held in 47 museum, archive or library collections. Of those 47 institutions, only14 had collections of more than 50 items, 9 of these had collections of more than 100 items, and only 2 of these had collections of more than 600 items.
From the descriptions available, it was possible to classify each item as either archive, media item (eg a photograph, video or sound recording), a three-dimentional museum object, or a geological specimen. This analysis indicated that archives constituted 62.4% of all items; 15.5% were museum objects, 14.3% were media, and 7.8% were geological specimens.
In the case of archives and media, the intention was to include only contemporaneous material, and any items described as a copy were normally excluded from the survey. It seems likely however that in some instances the level of information available may not have been sufficient to exclude some modern copy material.
Of the 4,754 archive items, 49.6% were in the BP Archive, 22.7% were in the Almond Valley collection and9.6% were in the National Archives of Scotland.
Of the 1,184 museum objects, 79.5% were in the Almond Valley Collection, 9.8% in the Science and Technology collection of the National Museums of Scotland, and 3.5% in the University of Glasgow, Hunterian Museum.
Of the 1,087 items classified as media, 65.1% were in the Almond Valley Collection, 8.4% in West Lothian Council’s local history library, and 6.4% in the National Archives of Scotland.
Of the 596 items classified as geological specimens, 50.6% were in the Hunterian Museum collection, 16.7% in the National Museums of Scotland’s Natural Sciences collection, and 10% in the collection of the British Geological Survey.
Development of the “Processes, Practices and Impact” classification drew on a understanding of the key areas of activity and influence associated with the industry. Exploiting this knowledge of the industry, it was possible to map each item identified in the survey against the most relevant classification. Plotting this data shows that most important aspects of the industry are represented, in some form, within collections. The degree to which an activity is represented varies considerably, reflecting a complicated interaction of factors.
The history of the Scottish shale oil industry falls naturally into a number of chapters. It proved simple to map most items identified in the survey against these chapters. As might be expected, the most recent history of the industry is well represented, but much has also survived from the period when the industry was at the height of its importance and renown. Conversely early short-lived, small-scale operations have left little trace in the historical record. The wide public acclaim enjoyed by James Paraffin Young’s pioneering achievements has ensured the survival of important items from the very early days of the industry in long-established collections such as those of the Hunterian Museum, National Museums of Scotland, and the University of Strathclyde Library.
Page Eight
Describing the morphology of the surviving material heritage associated with the Scottish shale oil industry.
The geographical associations of surviving items reflect many of the same factors affecting the distribution of items across historical chapter. Very few items survive from those areas where coal oil production took place, even though a few works remained in production until the end of the 19th century. Little more evidence survives from the outlier shalefields at Burntisland, (Fife) and Straiton, (Midlothian). From the start of the 20th century all shale oil production was based within the present boundaries of West Lothian, other than operations at Tarbrax, just across the border in South Lanarkshire.
From the outset it was recognised that there were inevitable limitations to the survey process. The project enjoyed excellent cooperation from all involved, but the level of detailed information respondents were able to provide differed considerably. Differences were also apparent in cataloguing practice, for example an assemblage of material might be considered a single item in some circumstances, or individually enumerated in others. In other instances insufficient information may have been available to distinguish between original archive and media items, and modern copies or published reference materials that rightly lay outside the scope of the survey. Not all organisations have fully documented or easily searchable collection records and it remains possible that some items may consequently have been overlooked. Despite these limitations, the survey provides a fair representation of the morphology of the surviving heritage (i.e. the volume of surviving heritage and areas of strength and weakness in its representation of subjects areas, time periods and geographical regions.)
No account was taken during the survey process, or in the subsequent processing of data, of the value, merit or importance of any item. Every item was given equal weighting. Examining the object level descriptions collated by the survey reveals some “star objects” of undoubted importance to the history of the industry, and other items that appear to have only an incidental association with the shale oil business. Ascribing a relative value or merit to each item would be a highly problematic exercise, requiring subjective judgment that would inevitably be influenced by viewpoint. Rather than attempt such a process, this paper will attempt to provide a broad description of the types of items constituting the surviving material heritage of the industry.
Further Review of Collections
A relatively small proportion of surviving material entered museum and archive collections whilst the industry was still active.
In 1870 James Young’s gifted his collection of rare books and manuscripts on alchemy and early science to the Andersonian Institute to support the Young Chair in Chemistry. This now is included in the University of Strathclyde special collection, which also houses a collection of Young’s notebooks, journals, diaries and personal papers, gifted by his family in 1959.
The Science and Technology collection of the National Museums of Scotland contains a number of shale and oil product samples added to the collection of the Edinburgh Museum of Science and Art in 1871. The collection also includes a number of exquisite retort models, constructed for patent demonstration purposes and acquired during the Victorian period, plus a number of other technical models built in the museum’s workshops during the 1920’s. Also some 20th century oil samples, a number of early photographs and technical drawings, and Oakbank No.2, a pioneering electric locomotive acquired on closure of Niddry Castle oilworks in 1959. A promotional product display case and a number of technical drawings are the only significant items added to the National collection since closure of the industry. Oakbank No.2 and two of the retort models are currently on loan to Almond Valley.
The Hunterian Museum at the University of Glasgow houses James Young’s collection of coal, mineral and fossil samples, Young’s microscope, and a catalogue with notes in James Young’s hand, presumably acquired during the Victorian period. The collection also contains a range of oil product samples, probably dating from the early 20th century.
Page Nine
Describing the morphology of the surviving material heritage associated with the Scottish shale oil industry.
The collection of British Geological Survey includes their contemporaneous publications related to the shale oil industry, associated glass plate negatives, and a range of mineral and product samples. BGS also hold, on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive, mine abandonment plans, the earliest dating from the 1870’s.
The Natural Sciences collection of the National Museums of Scotland contains a range of mineral samples and oilshale fossils, many acquired c1890 from local collectors who purchased fossils from shale miners. Some of these fossils are currently on loan to Almond Valley.
Very little of relevance survives in long-established local museum collections. Paisley Museum contains a number of contemporaneous coal-shale specimens associated with local oilworks, whilst a magnificent 18ft long slab of Torbanite occupies a stair well at Airdrie library, donated by a benefactor in 1894. South Queensferry museum holds a small collection of miner’s tools and lamps from local shale mines thought to have been acquired during the 1960’s. Once a West Lothian burgh, South Queensferry is now part of the City of Edinburgh.
The National Archives of Scotland house the John Stein Collection; papers of a senior mining manager with Scottish Oils, deposited by his family during the 1980’s. Other than a number of mining plans, little other material in the National Archives are records generated by the shale oil companies, although many aspects of the industry are referred to in estate papers, papers of Linlithgow Sheriff Court and the records of railways, utilities and various suppliers. Papers related to legislation and government intervention in the shale oil industry are held in the National Archives in Kew. The Fife Council Archive Centre hold correspondence files relating to the shale oil operations at Burntisland, whilst a precious handful of documents referring to local coal oil operations are held in North Lanarkshire Council Archives. Small pockets of shale oil related material are found in several other local history and archive centres, but much of this represents publications, copy plans and images rather than primary sources.
The BP archive, housed at the University of Warwick, holds a wealth of official records from the shale oil companies. This represents a large tranche of material, previously housed at Grangemouth Refinery, and stored briefly by the National Archives of Scotland prior to transfer to Warwick c. 2000, and a second tranche that was stored at Pumpherston detergent works until c.2000. The collection includes many of the minute books and company papers of those companies that were merged to form Scottish Oils Ltd, plus a fascinating range of agreements, leases, dispositions and other legal documents covering all aspects of the companies’ activities. Some more detailed correspondence files have survived from certain of the shale companies, along with estate and mine plans, photo albums and much else. A number of shale companies remain as active vehicles for BP operations, consequently some shale-associated documents are not currently included in the public archive.
The Almond Valley collection has been assembled since 1983 through public donation, purchase and as the consequence a close working relationship with BP in Scotland. The collection includes papers, objects and an album associated with James Young, (including a model retort) some of which were donated by the Young family. Donations from others with family associations to the industry range from hand tools and equipment that formed part of the miner’s graith, to technical documents, diaries and plans from the effects of senior managers. Other items has been donated by individuals who recognised their historical importance; for example a large format plan describing the working of the Boghead Coal used by Young’s Bathgate works, and a number of inscribed presentation pieces. A large collection of engineering drawings from the Paisley engineering firm of A.F. Craig illustrate equipment ordered for Scottish oilworks and similar plant and machinery built for export.
A continuing relationship with BP, both through official and personal channels, also contributed much to the collection, particularly as plants have closed and staff retired. Notable assemblages include:
Page Ten
Describing the morphology of the surviving material heritage associated with the Scottish shale oil industry.
# Staff ledgers and other records acquired on closure of BP’s Middleton Hall offices. # A large quantity of glass slides, printing blocks, booklets, and other promotional material formerly stored at
Grangemouth refinery. # A range of oil analysis and laboratory equipment, various notices and fittings, and the contents of the
technical library of Pumpherston works acquired following closure of the detergent plant in 1993. # A range of draftsman’s equipment, survey instruments and notebooks previously used in the Middleton
Hall drawing office.# A number oil company seals and seal presses, medals and honours awarded to various Scottish shale oil
companies, including a number of medals from international exhibitions# A collection of product catalogues, brochures and other promotional material from the private Scottish oil
companies.# A large number of architectural drawings from oil companies showing workman’s housing and community
facilities# A horse drawn tanker, restored by BP for promotional purposes during the 1950’s. Also by other routes,
a large steam powered air compressor and smaller steam powered pump, acquired from Pumpherston works during the 1980s
Further material has been added to the Almond Valley collection through purchase. A significant collection of oil lamps manufactured by Young’s company has been assembled, along a representative range of packaging and advertising material. A large collection of estate and mine plans of shale workings was also acquired by purchase. Almond Valley continues to actively develop its collection through purchases and by soliciting donations.
Conclusions
The decline and closure of the shale oil industry took place in an age before the industrial heritage movement became established, and facilities existed for the preservation of large industrial machinery. Consequently the surviving heritage of shale oil is much poorer than other Scottish heavy industries, such as coal-mining, ship-building and railway workshops, that remained active at least until the end of the 20th century. Fortunately models, drawings and other records survive to document the retorting process that was central to shale oil production, and monuments in the landscape continue to inspire interest in the industry.
The surviving material heritage of the industry provides a patchy coverage of the broad range of activities associated with the industry. Many processes of the industry did not involve objects of an appropriate scale, nature or appeal to encourage their survival in museum collections, and these same activities may often be poorly represented through photographs, drawings and documents. In contrast certain types of object are very well represented in collections. Many shale oil companies produced attractive bottled sample sets for marketing purposes which now feature in many collections (e.g. those of the NMS, Hunterian, Glasgow, Almond Valley). A presentation folder of shale oil images, produced by Scottish Oils c 1929 is also well represented in collections (e.g. those at Falkirk, Grangemouth, Almond Valley, NAS, and elsewhere in copy form), while the British Geological Survey’s contemporaneous handbooks “Oilshale of the Lothians”, along with associated photographs and drawings, also make a significant contribution to the survey.
The Almond Valley collection is notable in being the only established with the intention of providing a comprehensive coverage of the industry. It represents the largest part of the surviving heritage of the industry and contains many types of object and archive that are not represented in other collections.
Additionally, talks currently in progress with BP that may see the transfer of much of the shale oil industry archive from the University of Warwick to the Trust’s museum in Livingston, further reinforcing Almond Valley’s status as the National centre for the study of the shale oil industry.
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Describing the morphology of the surviving material heritage associated with the Scottish shale oil industry.
Appendix One
Preliminary On-Line SurveyThis preliminary questionnaire was circulated to 338 institutions
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Describing the morphology of the surviving material heritage associated with the Scottish shale oil industry.
Appendix Two
List of Institutions Surveyed.
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Describing the morphology of the surviving material heritage associated with the Scottish shale oil industry.
Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums
Argyll & Bute Council Archives
Ayrshire Archives Centre
Blantyre Heritage Group
British Film Institute National Archive
Caithness Horizons
Clackmannanshire Council Libraries & ArchivesClackmannanshire Council Museum & Heritage Service
Cousland Smiddy Trust
Dalbeattie Museum Trust Ltd
Dollar Museum Trust
Dunkeld Cathedral Chapter House Museum
Dunoon Castle House MuseumEast Ayrshire Council Central Library
East Dunbartonshire Museums / ArchivesEast Lothian Council Archives & Local History Centre
Edinburgh City ArchivesEdinburgh City Council Libraries
Elgin Museum
Garioch Heritage SocietyGeneral Register for Scotland
Aberdeen City ArchivesAberdeen City Council LibrariesAberdeenshire Farming MuseumAbernethy MuseumAdam Smith College LibraryAikwood Tower
Andrew Carnegie Birthplace MuseumAngus ArchivesAngus Council MuseumsArchaeolink Prehistory Park
Argyll & Bute Council LibrariesArgyll & Bute Council Museums ServiceArgyll & Sutherland Highlanders Regimental MuseumArran Heritage MuseumAtholl Country Life MuseumAuchindrain MuseumAuld Sköll MuseumAustralian ArchivesAustralian Museum
Bernera MuseumBig Pit: National Coal Museum Wales)Biggar Museum TrustBlack Watch - The Museum of The Black WatchBlairs Museum
Blue Mountains City Library, New South Wales, AustraliaBowhill House Bridgeton Bus GarageBright Water Visitor Centre
British Golf Museum
Burns Cottage Museum
Bute Museum
Christian Heritage Museum
Clan Cameron MuseumClan Macpherson House & MuseumClydebank Museum
Crail Museum & Heritage CentreCrawfordjohn Heritage VentureCreetown Exhibition CentreCreetown Gem Rock MuseumCromarty Courthouse
Dalgarven MillDalmellington & District Conservation TrustDevil's Porridge ExhibitionDingwall Museum
Douglas Heritage Museum TrustDrummond Castle Dukes Wood Oil MuseumDumfries & Galloway ArchivesDumfries & Galloway Aviation MuseumDumfries & Galloway College (UWS) LibraryDumfries & Galloway Council Library ServicesDumfries & Galloway Museums ServiceDunbeath Heritage CentreDunblane MuseumDundee City ArchivesDundee City Council LibrariesDundee City Council Local Studies LibraryDundee City Council, Leisure & Arts DeptDundee Heritage TrustDundee University Archives [email protected] Heritage Trust – Abbot House
Dunoon & Cowal Heritage Centre
East Ayrshire Museums & Arts Service
East Lothian Council Library Service
East Renfrewshire Council Local History Library
Edinburgh College of ArtEdinburgh’s Telford CollegeElgin Library (Central Moray Library)
Falkirk Council Library Services
Fetlar Interpretive CentreFife Contemporary Art & Craft
sFife Folk MuseumFife Miners Community Culture Group – Fife Mining MuseumFife Mining Heritage SocietyForth Bridges Visitor Centre MuseumForth Valley CollegeFraserburgh Heritage CentreGairloch Heritage Museum
Glasgow Caledonian University Library
Almond Valley Heritage Trust
Bennie Museum Trust
British Geological Survey
British Library
Burntisland Heritage Trust
East Lothian Museums Service
Edinburgh City Museums & Art Galleries
Falkirk Council Museums & Archives
Fife Council Archive CentreFife Council Museums & Librarie
Glasgow Caledonian University Research Collections
Glasgow City Council Libraries, Information & Learning
Glasgow Police MuseumGlasgow Print Studio & GalleryGlasgow School of ArtGlasgow School of Art
Glasgow Women's LibraryGlencoe & North Lorn Folk MuseumGlenesk Folk MuseumGlenfinnan Station MuseumGordon Highlanders Regimental MuseumGrampian Hospitals Art Trust
Grantown Museum & Heritage CentreGroam House MuseumHelmsdale Heritage SocietyHere We Are
Hibernian Football Club MuseumHighland Council ArchiveHighland Council LibrariesHighland Museum of ChildhoodHirsel Homestead Museum & Craft CentreHistoric ScotlandHistorylinks Museum
Insch Connection MuseumInveraray Jail & County CourtInverclyde Council LibrariesInverclyde Council Local StudiesInverness Museum & Art Gallery, Highland CouncilIonad Naomh Moluag
John Muir's BirthplaceJohn Paul Jones Birthplace MuseumJohn Wheatley College LibraryKilmartin House Museum of Ancient CultureLaing MuseumLargs Museum
Lauriston CastleLeadhills & Wanlockhead Railway
Lloyds Banking Group ArchivesMacDougall CollectionMallaig Heritage CentreMcLean Museum & Art Gallery
Moffat Museum TrustMontrose Air Station Heritage Centre
Morita Museum of Fine ArtMotoring Heritage CentreMull MuseumMuseum of CommunicationMuseum of FireMuseum of Islay LifeMuseum of Lead MiningMuseum of Piping, College of PipingMuseum of Scottish LighthousesMuseum of the IslesMuseum on the MoundMuthill Village MuseumMyreton Motor MuseumNairn MuseumNapier University Library
National Coal Mining Museum for England
National Trust for ScotlandNess Heritage CentreNewbattle Abbey College Library
Newton Stewart Museum
North Glasgow College LibraryNorth Highland Archive
Oban War & Peace MuseumOld Haa MuseumOld School Museum
Orkney Wireless Museum
Paxton HousePeople's Palace & Winter Gardens
Perth & Kinross Council LibrariesPerth College LibraryPerth Museum & Art GalleryPier Arts CentrePitlochry & Moulin Heritage CentrePortsoy Salmon Bothy
Glasgow City Archives & Special Collections
Glasgow University Archives (includes Scottish Business Archive)
Hopetoun House
Jewel & Esk Valley College Library
Larkhall Heritage Group
Linlithgow Union Canal Society
Moray Council MuseumsMoray Heritage Centre
National Co-operative Archive - ScottishMid.
National Gallery of Scotland
Newnes Plateau – Kerosene Shale Research
North Ayrshire Council Museums Service
Orkney Library, Archive & Museum
Perth & Kinross Archives
Powerhouse Museum
Glasgow Museums
Grampian Transport MuseumGrangemouth Heritage Trust
Heriot-Watt University – Archive, Records Management & Museums Heriot-Watt University Library
Linlithgow Story, Linlithgow Heritage Trust
Midlothian Council Library Service [Local Studies] & Archives
National Archives of ScotlandNational Archives of the United Kingdom
National Library of ScotlandNational Museums of Scotland Natural SciencesNational Museums of Scotland Science & TechnologyNational Museums of Scotland; Scottish Life Archive
North Ayrshire Council Local History Library
North Lanarkshire ArchivesNorth Lanarkshire Council LibrariesNorth Lanarkshire Council Museums & Heritage Section
Paisley Museum & Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council
Prestongrange Industrial Heritage MuseumProvost Skene's HouseQuarriers Museum
Quendale Watermill & Visitor Attraction
Regimental Museum of The Highlanders (Queen's Own Highlanders)Renfrewshire Council Libraries
Ross of Mull Historical CentreRosslyn Chapel
Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of GlasgowRoyal Highland Fusiliers Regimental MuseumRoyal Scots Dragoon Guards MuseumRoyal Scots Regimental MuseumRoyal Scottish Academy
Scottish Borders Council
Scottish Football MuseumScottish Jewish Archives Centre
Scottish Rugby Union plcScottish Traction Engine SocietyScottish Vintage Bus MuseumSession Cottage MuseumShetland LibraryShetland Museum & ArchivesShetland Textile Working MuseumSimmo's Museum, Glen DavisSma' Shot Cottages
South Ayrshire Council – The Scottish & Local History Library
St Andrews Preservation Trust MuseumSt Andrews University – Museums ServiceSt Andrews University LibrarySt Andrews University Library St Peter's Heritage Centre
Stirling Smith Art Gallery & MuseumStirling University Art Collection
Strathnaver MuseumStrathspey Steam RailwayStromness MuseumTaigh ChearsabhaghTaigh Tasgaidh Chill DonnainTain & District MuseumTangwick Haa MuseumTarbat Discovery CentreThe Art Extraordinary GalleryThe Grand Lodge of ScotlandThe Old Post Office MuseumThe Robert Gordon University Library
The Royal Yacht BritanniaThe Scottish Screen ArchiveThe Scottish Slate Islands Heritage Trust
The Tall Ship at Glasgow HarbourThirlestane CastleTigh HughagTimespanTrimontium MuseumUig MuseumUllapool Museum & Visitor Centre
University of Aberdeen Library
University of Abertay LibraryUniversity of Dundee Library
University of Edinburgh LibraryUniversity of Edinburgh Museums & Galleries ServiceUniversity of Edinburgh Special Collections
Unst Boat HavenUnst Heritage CentreWaverley Route Heritage AssociationWest Dunbartonshire – Educational & Cultural ServicesWest Dunbartonshire Council ArchivesWest Dunbartonshire Council LibraryWest Highland MuseumWest Kilbride Museum
Western Isles Council LibraryWhithorn - Cradle of Christianity
Queen Margaret University Library
Scottish Borders Archive & Local History Centre
Scottish Fisheries Museum
Scottish Maritime Museum
South Ayrshire Council Museum Service
South Lanarkshire Council ArchivesSouth Lanarkshire Council Libraries – Local history East KilbrideSouth Lanarkshire Council Libraries – Local history Hamilton
South Lanarkshire Council Museums Service
Stevenson College Edinburgh LibraryStirling Council Archives
Stirling University LibraryStirling University Library & Special CollectionsStonehouse Heritage Group
The State Records Authority of New South Wales
University of Aberdeen Marischal Museum
University of Dundee Museum Services
University of the West of Scotland Special Collections & Archives
West Lothian College Library
Wick Heritage Museum
RCAHMS
Renfrewshire Council Local Studies Library
Royal Burgh of Lanark Museum Trust
Scottish Mining MuseumScottish National Portrait GalleryScottish Railway Preservation Society – Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway
South Lanarkshire Council Libraries – Local history Lanark
The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh – Surgeons' Hall Museum
University of Aberdeen Special Libraries & Archives
University of Edinburgh Cockburn Museum
University of Glasgow, Hunterian MuseumUniversity of Strathclyde Special Collections
University of Warwick BP Archive
West Lothian Council Archives & Records CentreWest Lothian Council Local History LibraryWest Lothian Council Museums Service
Stirling Council Libraries
University of Aberdeen – Geology Department Museum
Institutions that responded and hold relevant material are marked in redInstitutions that responded and do not hold relevant material are marked in blue
1.1.1 Geological maps and publications1.1.2 Mineral and fossil specimens1.1.3 Geologist and prospector's equipment1.1.4 Annotated maps, and bore data1.2.1 Underground mining plans1.2.2 Underground haulage and winding (manual, horse power, electric)1.2.3 Underground machinery and services (incl. ventilation, pumping, communication, lighting)1.2.4 Underground hand tools, lamps and graith (includes explosives, helmets, food / drink)1.2.5 Surface mine layout, buildings and services (includes plans)1.2.6 Opencast mining and other extraction1.3.1 Retort design (e.g. technical drawings, for patents see Commercial Processes)1.3.2 Oilworks layout, buildings and services (e.g. compressed air, cooling, includes general images)1.3.3 Breaking and handling of shale (e.g. crushers)1.3.4 Disposal of spent shale1.3.5 Crude oil processing1.3.6 Ammonium sulphate production1.3.7 Internal transport and storage (e.g. aerial haulage)1.4.1 Refinery layout, buildings and services (e.g. compressed air, cooling, includes general images)1.4.2 Distillation and fractionation (e.g. coking / continuous stills)1.4.3 Cracking1.4.4 Wax separation and processing (includes refrigeration plant, separators, sweating and filter presses)1.5.1 Acid production1.5.2 Coal mining1.5.3 Candle and wax product production1.5.4 Brick production1.5.5 Blaes sales1.5.6 Detergent production1.5.7 Forestry for pit props1.5.8 Young’s lamps1.5.9 Engineering workshops1.5.10 Engineering industry and other suppliers (e.g. AF Craig)1.6.1 Quality control and laboratory processes1.6.2 Experimental plant and processes (e.g. experimental retorts, testing shale productivity)1.6.3 Professional journals & technical publications
2.1.1 James Young and the origins of the industry2.1.2 Other notable entrepreneurs (e.g. Henderson, the Frasers etc)2.1.3 Shares, capital and investors2.1.4 Company minutes, accounts and financial performance2.1.5 Licences, patents and litigation2.1.6 Cost statements and production statistics2.1.7 Political and economic influences2.1.8 General office operations 2.2.1 Leases and lets2.2.2 Company housing2.2.3 Public buildings and facilities2.2.4 Agricultural and general estate operations2.2.5 Subsidence, waste and land management2.2.6 Surveyor and drawing office (equipment)2.3.1 Managerial, professional and administrative staff2.3.2 Trades and labour: underground2.3.3 Trades and labour: surface2.3.4 Safety, rescue and accidents: underground (includes signage, personal protective equipment) 2.3.5 Safety, rescue and accidents: surface (includes signage, WW1 and WW2 safety related activities)2.3.6 Wages, contracts and conditions of employment (includes tally and timekeeping systems)2.3.7 Labour disputes and redundancies2.3.8 Welfare funds and facilities2.4.1 Bulk transport and storage of products2.4.2 Barrels, cans, containers and packaging2.4.3 Sales offices, agents and distribution depots2.4.4 Advertising and promotional materials2.4.5 Major customers (e.g. railways, lighthouses)
3.1.1 Worker’s representation3.1.2 Occupational health 3.1.3 Personal histories: working lives (e.g. oral histories)3.2.1 Friendly societies and cooperatives3.2.2 Public health (e.g. sewage, drainage)3.2.3 Personal histories: home and community lives (e.g. oral histories, personal items)3.2.4 Community organisations, sports and pastimes3.2.5 Events, occasions and presentations (includes objects carved from shale)3.3.1 Emigration and overseas influence3.3.2 Environmental rehabilitation3.3.3 Celebrating and recording shale heritage
1.1 Shale Geology and Prospecting
1.2 Shale Mining
1.3 Crude Oil Production
1.4 Crude Oil Processing
1.5 Ancillary Processes
1.6 Testing and Quality Control
2.1 Companies and Capital
2.2 Estate Management
2.3 Personnel Management
2.4 Distribution and Marketing
3.1 The Workplace
3.2 Home and Community
3.3 Influence and Legacy
Tech
nica
l Pro
cess
esC
om
mer
cial
Pra
ctic
esIn
fluen
ceAppendix Three
Detailed Industry ClassificationEncompassing Processes, Practices and Influence.
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Describing the morphology of the surviving material heritage associated with the Scottish shale oil industry.