Report - Arrol Johnston car factory..Dumfries September 2020

[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.

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[mookster]

I think the first thing I said when getting in here was how much it resembled an American factory in layout and design. I didn't know the history from an architecture standpoint but it all made sense when I got home and researched it after.

 

[Bikin Glynn]

OOh I like that very nice

 

[Mikeymutt]

I think the first thing I said when getting in here was how much it resembled an American factory in layout and design. I didn't know the history from an architecture standpoint but it all made sense when I got home and researched it after.

I bet you really liked this one considering it is an American building here. I did know it was based on American design. But it's an intriguing place even though trashed.

 

[Mikeymutt]

OOh I like that very nice

Deffo worth a,look mate if near it.

 

[HughieD]

Some great shots there mate. Lovely colours and some fantastic decay.

 

[MK83]

Love the staircase and the shots with the light from the funky windows.

 

[Mikeymutt]

Some great shots there mate. Lovely colours and some fantastic decay.

Thank you very much mate.

 

[Mikeymutt]

Love the staircase and the shots with the light from the funky windows.

I really did like the light from the windows. Not sure if it was a film or some kind of paint

 

[MarkusCP87]

Great set of pics.

 

[Calamity Jane]

Brilliant natural set there. I love the light coming in. Some nice decay going on too. Funky coloured glass make for some great shots.

 

[Mikeymutt]

Great set of pics.

Thank you very much

 

[Mikeymutt]

Th

Brilliant natural set there. I love the light coming in. Some nice decay going on too. Funky coloured glass make for some great shots.

Thank you. Every one likes the coloured windows and light it lets in.

 

[host]

Something about big empty factories like this I love, so photogenic to me. Great report

 

[Ferox]

You have captured the place well mate. Some great shots