Addiewell oil works was for a time the largest oil works in the world. The village was built to house the workforce, and the works employed some sixteen hundred people at its height.
A shale company village - Addiewell
Visit the Scottish Shale website for more information on the shale industry, and Addiewell oil works
A tour of Addiewell Oil Works in 1865
A detailed account of the oil works appeared in the Scotsman in May 1865
A tour of Addiewell Oil Works in 1902
How the shale was mined and processed
Addiewell Blacksmiths
An old photo of the blacksmiths or the coopers at the Oil Works, 1890s.
Addiewell Oil Works
Help naming the group of men
Addiewell Oil Works - after the closure
Some interesting and evocative photos of the huge oil works site after it closed in 1956.
Addiewell Oil Works Blacksmiths and Engineers
Two fine, early photographs of the engineering and blacksmith employees at the Oil Works
Addiewell Oil Works in 1865
The earliest report, printed in the Scotsman of 16 May 1865.
Addiewell Oil Works to close
The Courier announces many shale industry closures in 1956
Addiewell's bings
As Addiewell's bings spread, they swallowed up at least a couple of houses.
Alarming fire at Young's Oil Works
Fire rips through the works in 1882
Dismantling the retorts
How the oil works came down
Mining fatalities
Mining was one of the most dangerous occupations. Accidents and injuries were common; deaths were only too frequent as well. More accounts are added as they're found. Add your own reports of mining deaths here too.
Mr Fleming and Addiewell's oil industry
People's Journal article explains how shale was found in the Addiewell area.
The Candleworks
Addiewell candle works produced candles that were works of art.
The Oil Works
More on Addiewell oil works