Forestry Commission Scotland looks after the site of Wilsontown Ironworks and a large amount of land round about it.
There are many features that date from the Ironworks era in this surrounding area, such railways, mines, and dams, and we care for these features too.
The core of the site is legally protected. It has been designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument since 1968.
The importance of the Ironworks to the area
Since 2002 our local ranger has been researching Wilsontown Ironworks in response to the sheer number of local people mentioning the Ironworks and their importance. Yet to visit the site you would find it hard to believe that there had been such an industry here. We had to find out more.
We now have an archive of material on Wilsontown Ironworks and in 2007 launched the Wilsontown Ironworks Heritage Project.
As part of this we have identified what we would like to do at the Ironworks and what we want to tell people about this special place.
What's happened so far?
We've been telling people about Wilsontown and sharing the information we've discovered.
We commissioned a report from John Van Laun Associates which brought all the research together into a document focussing on the site's industrial heritage. As a result of this report, Michael Blackmore was able to reconstruct Wilsontown Ironworks circa 1808 in a painting.
This has been produced as a poster and is available to purchase from our office and the local Post Office in Forth. This work was made possible thanks to a grant from the South Lanarkshire Rural Communities Trust.
Input from the public
In 2007 we organised meetings to share the information we had compiled with historians, local people, historical societies and academics, and we outlined our hopes and ambitions for what we would like to achieve through the heritage project. As a result ,we received some excellent feedback on what people would like to see as part of the project.
Improvements at the site and for visitors
The improvements we would like to make at the Ironworks are:
- better car parking
- paths that can be walked all year round,
- safeguarding the archaeology
- providing more information for visitors about the Ironworks.
Family history interest
Thanks to a recent interest in family history research, we are finding that many people discover that their relatives worked at Wilsontown. By attending family history society meetings and events we have been able to put some names to the workers and residents who made Wilsontown Ironworks what it was. In return, we can offer information about the Ironworks to help relatives understand what their forebears’ lives were like.
Group interest
Our local Ranger has led guided walks around the Ironworks, often on request from interested groups. This allows us to explain the subtle lumps and bumps in the landscape that visitors wouldn’t otherwise understand.
Revealing the past
In 2008 the Ironworks saw a significant change. An area of forest that was planted in the 1970’s was removed. The trees had been planted among an amazing cluster of bell-pits and shallow mines, and had hidden this landscape from view. 77 bell pits have been recorded here, making this one of the most wonderful places to come and view these industrial remains.
With the trees are away, the bell-pit landscape is restored and visitors get a better idea of the sweat and toil spent here in the past.
Our work on the Wilsontown Ironworks Heritage Project will continue, so check back with us in a while for the latest news.
Download the latest newsletter about the Ironworks project (PDF 1.5Mb).
Aims and objectives of the project
The overall aim of the project is to:
Enhance the local area and benefit local people whilst enabling visitors to enjoy and gain a greater appreciation of Scotland’s industrial heritage.
The objectives of the project are:
- put Wilsontown Ironworks on the map and recognise the importance of the site
- create a project that the community will be part of and proud of
- establish a new Industrial Heritage destination in rural South Lanarkshire that will attract
- visitors to the area
- provide an attractive location for people to walk and relax.
For more details contact Emma Stewart at Forestry Commission Scotland on 01555 660190.
