Report - Report - Ardeer ICI Explosives Factory - Ayrshire - October 2014

[Echoes]

Noticed that there hadnt been a report from Alfred Nobels famous explosives factory since 2011, so here's a brief report of how things are looking now.

Only managed to explore the older area to the north of the site.

Expect to do some trudging through thick grassland, gorse and bushes.
Probably a good idea to wear waterproofs/ gaitors.

Most areas are really overgrown now so be careful underfoot for holes / items sticking out.

Here's some photos

wish i had take more photos of the "graffiti" left by the workers. Scribbles dating back to 1940s. Lots of potraits and even a Laurel & Hardy picture.

From 1976

Noticed the same photo as mine on Flickr - the wellies and wood poles in exactly the same spot from 3/4years ago.

Will definitely be back soon as only managed about a 1/4 of the site.

Hopefully with the winter coming the "greenery" will die down and allow more access to buildings

 

[Will Knot]

Re: Report - ARDEER ICI EXPLOSIVES FACTORY - Ayrshire - October 2014

Not bad find that mate for a first report, looks good, could do with a bit more history Thanks for sharin'

 

[Echoes]

Re: Report - ARDEER ICI EXPLOSIVES FACTORY - Ayrshire - October 2014

Cheers.

Didnt put in much about history as the other (better) reports here have the detail.

Basically a huge factory site built on dunes (natural safety features for any kabooms!) on the Ayrshire coast by Nobel Works Ltd.

Provided explosives to UK industry / mining.

Taken on by ICI and closed in 1990s?

Quite a few deaths on site due to various accidental booms and bangs!

At its peak there was just over 13,000 working here.

 

[Speed]

Re: Report - ARDEER ICI EXPLOSIVES FACTORY - Ayrshire - October 2014

Humm.. i was under the impression the power plant was gone but looks like otherwise!

 

[Bigjobs]

Re: Report - ARDEER ICI EXPLOSIVES FACTORY - Ayrshire - October 2014

Really nice that

 

[Echoes]

Re: Report - ARDEER ICI EXPLOSIVES FACTORY - Ayrshire - October 2014

Here's a video of trip

Vimeo
[video=vimeo;108559119]http://vimeo.com/108559119[/video]

Youtube
[video=youtube;CC4xQHYktWg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CC4xQHYktWg[/video]

 

[hellboundrocketship]

Re: Report - ARDEER ICI EXPLOSIVES FACTORY - Ayrshire - October 2014

nice report i was there in september its a brilliant site
the power station is cracking you should check it out

keep up the good work

 

[Walrus75]

..
wish i had take more photos of the "graffiti" left by the workers. Scribbles dating back to 1940s. Lots of potraits and even a Laurel & Hardy picture.

...

Wonder why he/she picked out "Lossiemouth", it's just down the road (5 miles) from me. Nice wee post mate.

 

[Steambod]

wish i had take more photos of the "graffiti" left by the workers. Scribbles dating back to 1940s. Lots of potraits and even a Laurel & Hardy picture.

Some of the stuff from Ardeer went down to Powfoot near Annan. Went there in mid 90s when it closed to pick up some railway locos and they had a load of graffiti inside the cabs from the drivers. One loco had a dented front from when the drivers used to race down to a set of points (loser had to get out and change them over). bet they didn't do that with a load of nitro on the back!:laugh Managed to get one fired up and took it for a trundle around the railway!

 

[Abaddon Inc]

Looks like an awesome site... Nice pics too

 

[stefoon]

 

[stefoon]

I am going to update this post as I have some good stuff from ici

 

[stefoon]