Gray Dunn & Co, June 2013

[seaside_rambler]

Gray, Dunn & Co was founded in 1853. In 1882 they built a factory on this site, only for it to be destroyed by fire 13 years later; it was replaced with the current factory.

The firm was sold to Bilsland Bakery in 1912. The Bilsland family were a prominent one, having contributed enormously to the poor community and the industries of the city – Sir William Bilsland creating parks in the city and making museums free being just one achievement. In my research it's suggested that Bilsland Bakery was bought out by Spiller's (of Millennium Mill fame), an interesting link to another fine explore.

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On June 29th 2001 almost 300 employees of Gray Dunn's were made redundant when the company went into receivership. The 150 year history of this fine purveyor of biscuit products – famous household names such as Blue Ribands, Breakaways and Kit Kat Chunkys – had come to an end.

It's rather trashed, not just stripped and windows smashed, but whole exterior walls missing in places, thanks to the neds (chavs in Englishki)! But I love the space, and the surprising amount of colour the place still has. Of course the first stop we headed for was the roof, not spending too long there being in full view of the M8. A revisit for wire wool spinning up there has been suggested..

yes it really was this colour..

some floors had walls..

wish I'd got a close up of the graff on the right

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[Scattergun]

Excellent work These are looking great! The first one's a real belter, works well in black n white. You're little report blurb made me laugh too! Mon the so solid crew!

This one here is another of my favourites

You were right in saying bilslands were bought out by Spillers They went bust in 1978 during the recession which is what killed Bilslands off along with around 8,000 jobs across the UK. This gave Rowntree, the sole surviving share holder, complete ownership of the Gray Dunn plant until Nestle took over in 1988. The remains of the Bilslands bakery, including the iconic tower, are currently used as offices and warehouse storage and can be seen from the motorway.

 

[TheBaronof Scotland]

lovely set Star, its an eyesore of a place from the M8, but inside has a lot to look at

 

[seaside_rambler]

You were right in saying bilslands were bought out by Spillers They went bust in 1978 during the recession which is what killed Bilslands off along with around 8,000 jobs across the UK. This gave Rowntree, the sole surviving share holder, complete ownership of the Gray Dunn plant until Nestle took over in 1988. The remains of the Bilslands bakery, including the iconic tower, are currently used as offices and warehouse storage and can be seen from the motorway.

Ah cheers, I gave up on further research after taking hours to sort pics and report You may have pointed the Bilsland tower out to me..

 

[Banshee =}]

Super stuff here starlight cracking pics great location =}

 

[Lara]

Cracking report there, nice write up as well and gorgeous shots. Lovely stuffs

 

[skeleton key]

Great write up and nicee pics star

Good to see you out with the Scots Brigade



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[sonyes]

Great pics, and was a great time had by all

 

[seaside_rambler]

Thanks! Twas a great time indeed!

 

[Stussy]

Cool set of pics Star, its an alright place, you made it look much better than it is.

 

[Shush]

Reet nice job Star, cracking pictures, Love the red landing

 

[seaside_rambler]

Thanks guys, was my first proper attempt with Lightroom, and I'd left these pics so long as I thought they were some of the worst I've taken, so from the photography pov I'm quite pleased with some of them