Bonawe Iron Works

Location type

Works

Name and dates

Bonawe Iron Works (1753-1874)

Served by the Industry (without sidings).

Description

This iron works was established by Richard Ford and Company, iron at Bonawe, just to the north east of Taynuilt. The site was ideal having access to tidewater and the forests of Glen Nant and on the banks of Loch Etive and Loch Awe. The timber was coppiced and converted into charcoal for use at the works. So much charcoal was required that it was cheaper to bring haematite from Cumberland than take the charcoal to Cumberland. Water power, for the bellows, was provided by a lade from the River Awe to a waterwheel alongside the furnace.

The works closed in 1874 but many of the works buildings survive. Bonawe House, the manager's house, and several cottages also survive.

Local

Bonawe Ironworks - Historic Environment

Tags

Iron works

Aliases

Bunaw Iron Works Bonawe Ironworks Lorne Furnace

External links

Canmore site record
NLS Collection OS map of 1892-1914
NLS Collection OS map of 1944-67
NLS Map

This iron works was established by Richard Ford and Company at Bonawe, just to the north east of Taynuilt. The site was ideal having access to tidewater and the forests of Glen Nant and on the banks of Loch Etive and Loch Awe. The timber was coppiced and converted into charcoal for use at the works. So much charcoal was required that it was cheaper to bring haematite from Cumberland than take the charcoal to Cumberland. Water power, for the bellows, was provided by a lade from the River Awe to a waterwheel alongside the furnace.

The works closed in 1874 but many of the works buildings survive. Bonawe House, the manager's house, and several cottages also survive.

Chronology Dates

  /  /1768Dalmally to Inverawe Military Road
Road used by the Argyll Furnace Company of the Bonawe Iron Works for timber extraction for their charcoal kilns. The road was damaged by this use.