One of the major companies in Hamilton round about the turn of the 20th century was Scott, Stirling & Co!
Scott, Stirling & Co were local coach builders in the town and they were founded in 1862 under the name J & C Stirling. They started off as a small business but quickly grew due to their excellent workmanship and at the time coach building was one of the oldest industries in Hamilton.
In the year 1862 when the firm was established the business advanced rapidly. So mush so, that in a comparatively short period of time, it was found necessary to make considerable extensions, and from an original small shop, the firm now occupies an area of nearly one acre of double storied buildings, elaborately fitted with the most modern wood-working machinery.
Scott, Stirling & Co were so reputable that not only did they build coaches and do repairs in Hamilton, they did work all over Scotland, England & Northern Ireland.
They later built ambulance & fever hospital vans all equipped with the “latest improvised fittings”. They also built spring vans, message vans, bakers vans ans then moved on to light & heavy lorries.
They were noted as stating ” A supply of these vans are always on hand, or can be built at the shortest notice” They could possibly have been the Quick Fit of it’s day in the late 1800s.
Below is an advertisement for the carriage works that was gave to Historic Hamilton by Lesley Fife. There is also a Yellow outline marking where the possible site of the coach works were situated just next to the Hamilton Advertiser building, this was taken from the 1847-1895 map of Hamilton.
Thank you so much for writing about the carriage works . My 5 x Great Grandfather was John Stirling [ born 1786 in Dunblane ] . I was shocked to see how large an area the works covered and your maps were so helpful . John Stirling’s grandson , John Stirling born 1865 , in about 1897 , started making motor cars . He drove one of the cars from John O Groats to Lands End , to prove the vehicle would cover that distance … he was also picked up for speeding at 14 miles per hour in Leeds , narrowly missing a milk cart ! This Stirling family are related to Michael Stirling who invented the threshing machine and John Stirling who started the carriage works was 1st cousin to Robert Stirling [ born 1790 ] who invented the Stirling engine . Looks like engineering ran in this Stirling families veins 🙂
Hi Joolz,
Thanks for sharing this.
I would like to write about your family’s history. Can you send me the info please?
HistoryHamilton@icloud.com
Garry,
Hello Joolz
I have a copy of an article from the Hamilton Advertiser written by Charles Oxley . He was visiting the Advertisers building and realised that it was where his great grandfathers coach building business had been situated.
The article includes a photograph of Hamiltons first motor car driven by John Stirling.Next to him is Alexander McGaw , his wife Nellie Stirling and her father Charles Stirling with their daughter ( my maternal grandmother) Margaret.
My middle name is Stirling !
If you would like a copy of the article ( it is a poor copy) let me know
The original photo is from Hamilton District Museums Transport and Farm Equipment booklet
David
davidschesney@gmail.com