Recording Gravestones Border Castles and Families Witchhunt in Scotland 1563 - 1727 Mutiny on the Bounty - the Truth Duns Scotus Clocks and Clockmakers Elizabeth Murray Duchess of Lauderdale Minstrelsy of the Scottish Borders

Dunse History Society was delighted to welcome as the speaker at their meeting last Wednesday evening Mr. Grant Lees of Galashiels who delivered a fine presentation on the History of Clocks and Clockmakers in Scotland.

Grant who has his own clockmaking and repair business traced the development of clocks from the earliest dials and waterclocks to the latest digital versions.

The earliest surviving clock in the country and indeed in Europe is that on Salisbury Cathedral dating back to 1386 while the earliest in Scotland is St. Bride’s, Douglas dating back to the 15th. century although there are also surviving 15th century clocks at Peebles and Kirkcudbright.

The speaker recounted the efforts of the early clockmakers to obtain recognition as a Trade without which, in the Burghs at least, they were unable carry on business and in 1721 Edinburgh was the first to admit clockmakers to membership of the Hammermen’s Guild.

It was in Edinburgh that some of the finest early Bracket Clock were produced, initially under Royal Patronage and in the early stages affordable only by a few very wealthy individuals indeed it was not unknown for such clocks to be acquired by means of lottery.

By the late 18th. century however production costs were falling and these became affordable by the better off working classes principally the weavers, the clocks selling at anything between £6 and £10. As a consequence business boomed and clockmakers sprung up in all market towns; for instance no fewer than fifteen were recorded as trading in Duns between the years 1798 and 1820.

However the blast of competition was to blow in from about 1820 when the market was undercut by the mass arrival of clocks from the Black Forest area of Germany characterised by extreme simplicity and the sparing use of metal. These clocks, often sold by itinerant pedlars were erroneously known as ‘Dutch’ a corruption of 'Deutsche' and would sell for as little as 5/-.

There was a further blow to local manufacture in 1843 when John C Jerome, an American started shipping in weight drawn clocks running for 30 hours and selling so cheaply that his initial shipments were confiscated by customs and excise as they were persuaded the price was so cheap it could not be correct and that by his pricing he was attempting to evade duty.

This joint assault more or less meant the death knell for local craftsmen by about 1860.

The German trade fought back however and again began to dominate although by this time there was also considerable competition from French black marble mantle clocks.

This remained very much the position until 1914 since which time as the speaker pointed out there has really been no further significant advances.

The speaker went on to show and demonstrate various clocks and workings which he had brought along pointing out their different features, styles and peculiarities. The extensive question and answer session which followed was truly indicative of the interest and fascination engendered by the subject. A very well delivered and greatly appreciated talk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another clock by Waldie of Dunse probably

around 1820 showing on the face depictions

of Mary Queen of Scots' escape from Lochleven

and also of Ferguson, Burns, Scott and

Ramsay

 

Right; A longcase clock by Scott of Dunse. This was recently for sale at an auction in Flensburg Germany at an upset price of 675 euros but failed to attract any offers.