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Arts & Culture in West Dunbartonshire

Turkey Red in West Dunbartonshire

 

The Turkey Red dyeing industry created the Vale of Leven as we know it today. Before it became established, Bonhill was the only settlement in the area, with a population of 120 people.

The factories that were built in the Vale created Alexandria, Jamestown and Renton as people moved to work in the new industry.

 

Turkey Red

 

At first, goods and people traveled to the Vale by boat up the River Leven. It was only in 1856, when the Alexandria-Bonhill bridge was opened that road transport became more popular. The greatest advance was the completion of the Bowling to Balloch line and factories developed their own sidings and internal rail networks.

Clydebank Museum has a collection of Turkey Red labels, patterns and printing equipment from the factories in the Vale.

 

 

DOWNLOADS

Below, you can download some factsheets about the Turkey Red industry: