The Industrial Revolution

This period In the late eighteenth century marks the time when modern Scotland began to emerge with what historians call the Industrial Revolution. Its initial stage followed the invention by Richard Arkwright of the new water frame. In Scotland this marked a massive rise in the number of new cotton mills. This had the effect of transforming a largely agricultural country in to an industrial one over an incredibly short period of time. This had both a positive and negative effects for the future. While producing the positive aspects of industrialisation the speed of the transition also produced large scale problems with housing and public health, particularly in cities such as Glasgow and Dundee.

                                      The Hot-blast Process

One of the key figures in this transformation was James Beaumont Neilson who discovered a way to use coal to smelt iron ore. This process became known as the hot-blast process. It used the increased production of coal and iron ore produced by these cheaper ores through this process. The greatly increased the demand for coal which lead to the rapid growth of the coal industry, particularly in Fife, Ayrshire and Lanarkshire. The iron smelting works being generally placed close to the coal mines for ease of transport.

                                    The Nineteenth Century

Through the course of the nineteenth century this lead to Scotland’s increasing reliance on heavy industry. This was to continue well in to the twentieth century. The growth in industry was also facilitated by the growth in the means of transportation. At first with the construction of canals but then with the phenomenal growth in railways in Scotland. Other technical innovations also aided the process of industrialisation. In particular with William Murdoch’s development of gaslighting in the 1790’s.

                                             Shipbuilding

This production increase at home was also matched by a large scale increase in international trade. This was particularly true from the Clyde which built up a formidable reputation as a shipbuilding centre . This was also true of Leith and Dundee as well through the course of the nineteenth century. The later part of the century was characterised by the expansion of this new heavy industry which came to dominant the industrial scene in the Clyde side area. In particular with the growth of the steel industry which served to trigger further technological advances.