Arrol Johnston Car Factory..Dumfries

[Mikeymutt]

I have had this place pinned for ages but never ever got around to it before. Soon the way to Scotland too visit the girlfriend I had some time spare so decided to swing by. It was an unusually hot and sunny day that day. Entry in was prob one of the easiest ever. And you can see with that ease why it's heavily vandalised. The place is a shell now but contained some nice open rooms with nice nice colours and some lovely stair wells.
Life started out for the company in paisley but in 1913 they but some land just outside Dumfries. Using an American firm to build the factory it was designed to an American style plant. It was the first company to use ferro concrete. Basically the sort of re enforced concrete we see today. The company was designed by Albert Kahn who designed the Michigan plant which was home of the model T by Ford. Several models of cars were built there over the years. The company went under in 1931. The factory was taken over by North British Rubber in 1946 which then became Uniroyal in the sixties. Interfloor took over the site in 2002 and left in 2013. You would think it had been vacant longer than this. I have never been too America, but seen lots of photos from American car plants. And I can imagine this is like a little bit of America in Scotland. I am sure mookster who has been America many times would say this is like an American one.

 

[FunkyMuffin]

This is brilliant, nicely captured. I love the lighting through the purple windows

 

[J_a_t_33]

Nice one Mikey! Also loving the purple windows!

 

[Hayman]

You say "Life started out for the company in paisley but in 1913 they but some land just outside Dumfries. Using an American firm to build the factory it was designed to an American style plant." Was it built in 1913? If so, it was decades ahead of how other factories were being built in the UK at the time.