IN13 – Vale of Leven: Turkey Red

Stitcher:  Alexandra Harvey – Crowhill

The plentiful supply of clean water from Loch Lomond flowing into the River Leven industrialised the Vale of Leven. For over 200 years it was a major centre for the bleaching, printing and dyeing industries. It was at Croftengea works in 1827 that the first commercially successful Turkey red dye was made and used. The secret of Turkey Red was brought from India to Scotland by Frenchman, Pierre Jacques Papillon, in 1785. This dye laid the foundation for the success of the Vale of Leven for the rest of the 19th Century as the centre for the bleaching, dyeing and printing industry in Scotland, with markets largely in India but also in Africa and Europe. United Turkey Red works continued into the 20th Century albeit on a smaller scale. It closed in 1960.

IN13 Turkey Red Shrath Leamhna
Chuidich an solar uisge lìonmhor bho Loch Laomainn a’ sruthadh a-steach do dh’Uisge Leamhain le gnìomhachsan a shuidheachadh ann an Srath Leamhna. Airson còrr agus 200 bliadhna, b’ e prìomh ionad a bh’ ann airson nan gnìomhachasan gealachaidh, clò-bhualaidh agus dathaidh. B’ ann ann an ionad-obrach Croftengea ann an 1827 a bha a’ chiad dath Dearg Turcach air a dhèanamh, a bha soirbheachail gu malairteach agus air a chleachdadh. Chaidh dìomhaireachd an Dearg Thurcaich a thoirt às na h-Ìnnseachan gu Alba le fear Frangach, Pierre Jacques Papillon ann an 1785. Chuir an dath seo sìos bunait airson soirbheachadh Shrath Leamhna airson a’ chòrr den 19mh Linn mar ionad airson a’ ghnìomhachais gealachaidh, dathaidh agus clòbhualaidh ann an Alba, le margaidean gu mòr sna h-Ìnnseachan, ach cuideachd ann an Afraga agus an Roinn Eòrpa lean obair United Turkey Red air adhart don 2mh Linn ged a b’ ann air sgèile nas lugha. Dhùin e ann an 1960.