Biggar Gasworks is remarkably complete – even the coal barrows and shovels remain. Buildings and equipment have been renewed and replaced over the years, but almost everything is in place.
The gasworks opened in 1839 and evolved over its 130-year life to meet demand and to keep pace with technological innovations.
The retort house built in 1839 is the oldest building on site. It was stripped of its coal-fired retorts in 1914 and ended up as the coal store. (At that time, the gasman was using 400 tons of coal per year to serve 320 consumers and power more than 100 street lights.) A new retort house, complete with purifying equipment, replaced the old one.
The building that now contains the visitor centre and display was put up in 1858 to house the gasman and his family. John Ramsay, from Carluke, was the first tenant.
The two gas holders originally installed in 1858 and 1879 were rebuilt in 1918 and 1939 respectively.
It is the only preserved gasworks left in Scotland.
