William Barr

WILLIAM BARR, Bathwell Tannery, Beith, Ayrshire.

    Beith has been the home of a succession of industries. More than a century ago the spinning of linen yarns for the Glasgow and Paisley markets was a flourishing business in the district, and was succeeded at the beginning of the present century by the weaving of hand-loom silk and muslin goods. The power-loom killed these industries, and in their place we find for the last thirty years cabinet making and tanning.

    With the latter industry is associated the establishment of Mr. William Barr, one of the best concerns of the kind in Scotland. Mr. Barr purchased the tannery in 1858 from the trustees of the former proprietor, Mr. Robert Ramsay, by whom and his predecessors it had been carried on for the previous seventy years. At present the premises comprise two yards, known as the “old” and “new” yards. The former is used principally for the preparation of sole leather, and contains 32 large handlers, 10 pits, and 8 leaches. The “new” yard was put down by Mr. Ramsay 48 years ago, and contains 52 handlers, 26 pits, and 12 leaches. Both yards are amply supplied with water from the Cuff Hill reservoir and from a well on the premises. Both the yards, too, are surrounded with large and airy drying sheds, where 750 pig skins, 50 crops, and 100 horse hides can be hung at one time. The beam houses are very conveniently situated, are of spacious dimensions, and give plenty of space for a score of beam men, when in full work. A large shed on the Bath Meadow, to the rear, serves for drying scrows, and alongside is the “bark hill”. Steam power is supplied for the pumps and other appliances. Adjacent to the beam house are the bark barns and bark mill, and near by is a furnace for burning the exhausted bark and a house for steam-rendering.

    The curriers’ department is large and well found ; and every facility, in a word, is provided for working the industry on a large scale. The processes followed are entirely of the honest old-fashioned kind. The best Hereford oak bark alone is used, and the process is kept up till complete tannage is effected. The heavier crops sometimes lie in the pits for years. Both skins and hides are tanned and curried, but principally hogskins for saddlery purposes. The annual output of these is about 20,000, besides a large quantity of ox and horse hides, and kips. The hides and skins are mostly native ; the ox hides for crops coming principally from the Glasgow market. The hogskins are sold principally in England, where, from the fine quality of the tannage, the best prices are realised.

    Mr. Barr is a well-known gentleman in various circles and an accomplished man of business. He is extremely popular with all who have the pleasure of knowing him, and occupies an influential position in the trade. He has for many years been one of Her Majesty’s Justices of the Peace for the county of Ayr.

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