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Edinburgh, Granton Gasworks, No. 1 Gasholder
Gas Holder (19th Century)
Site Name Edinburgh, Granton Gasworks, No. 1 Gasholder
Classification Gas Holder (19th Century)
Alternative Name(s) Granton Gasholder; 336 West Granton Road
Canmore ID 281286
Site Number NT27NW 20.06
NGR NT 22441 77091
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/281286
- Council Edinburgh, City Of
- Parish Edinburgh (Edinburgh, City Of)
- Former Region Lothian
- Former District City Of Edinburgh
- Former County Midlothian
NT27NW 20.06 22441 77091
Location formerly cited as NT 22436 77079 and NT 22441 77093.
Gas Holder [NAT] (centred NT 22441 77091)
[ribbed vertical surfaces indicated]
Inlet Valve [NAT] (at NT 22419 77056)
Outlet Valve [NAT] (at NT 22476 77064)
OS (GIS) AIB, June 2006.
W R Herring, 1898-1902. Column guided gasholder, circular-plan; external framework constructed of riveted rolled steel; comprising 24 vertical posts with finials (each formerly carrying gas flame) divided into 4 tiers by horizontal tie beams; latticework bracing between. Drum-shaped steel tank to centre above 252ft diameter shaft of brick with cement mortar sunk 37ft into ground.
Historic Scotland List Description
Column guided gasholder, circular-plan; external framework constructed of riveted rolled steel; comprising 24 vertical posts with finials (each formerly carrying gas flame) divided into 4 tiers by horizontal tie beams; latticework bracing between. Drum-shaped steel tank to centre above 252ft diameter shaft of brick with cement mortar sunk 37ft into ground.
B group with other contemporary buildings on gasworks site: station/office and main gates/gatehouse. Turn-of-the century gasholder still in use during peak periods. Originally intended as one of row of 8 gasholders (this was the only one built to the original design). Current flanking gasholders were added in 1933 (to W) and 1966 (to E). Has a capacity of 7 million cubic feet. The works was commenced in 1898 to supply much needed extra gas to the City of Edinburgh. The manufacture of gas was commenced in 1902 and the first section officially opened in 1903. (Historic Scotland)
Construction (1898 - 1903)
Project (2007)
This project was undertaken to input site information listed in 'Civil engineering heritage: Scotland - Lowlands and Borders' by R Paxton and J Shipway, 2007.
Publication Account (2007)
This impressive structure, the most elegant gas holder in Scotland in terms of its external framing, was erected as part of a £450 000 state-of-the-art coal gasworks for Edinburgh and Leith Corporations at Granton from 1898 to 1903 under the direction of their engineer, W. R. Herring. The main contractor was Graham, Morton & Co., Leeds.
The gasholder, now no longer operational, had a maximum capacity of 7 000 000 cu ft and is constructed on the telescopic principle with four lifts. The masonry tank, within which the holder moved up and down, is 252 ft 6 in. diameter by 37 ft deep. It is constructed of brick in cement mortar encased in a puddle bed and was built by Clayton, Sons & Co. Ltd, Leeds.
The associated buildings, including the huge retort house from which the gasholder was fed, have been demolished and the site, which is undergoing redevelopment, includes the new headquarters of Scottish Gas. The possibility of retaining the gas holder within the redevelopment as an outstanding example of Scotland’s industrial heritage is under consideration.
R Paxton and J Shipway 2007
Reproduced from 'Civil Engineering heritage: Scotland - Lowlands and Borders' with kind permission of Thomas Telford Publishers.
Standing Building Recording (13 January 2023)
NT 22443 77095 Addyman Archaeology undertook a programme of Historic Building Recording at the site of the Category B listed Granton Gas Holder prior to and during its refurbishment by the City of Edinburgh Council. This included a comprehensive digital photographic of the remaining gas holder and any associated structure still existing on site. The gas holder is located within the large industrial landscape of the Granton Gas Works, now mostly demolished. Remains of building platforms, inspection chambers and foundation were noted, though evidence for the large additional gas holder on either side of the surviving one were scarce and only visible through relic earth banks. The surviving gas holder was complete, with frame, tank, crown, cone, and inlet and outlet valves. During the refurbishments, the crown, associated concertina panels and guides were removed, the tank was backfilled and the frame was repaired. All parts of the holder were seen during the works, and a comprehensive photographic record was maintained, including the inside of the crown, allowing a glimpse into the operation of a gas holder.
Information from A. Ruchonnet and K. Macfadyen - Addyman Archaeology, 2024.
OASIS ID: addymana1-528315
Watching Brief (10 September 2024)
NT 22443 77095 Addyman Archaeology undertook a watching brief watching brief during the dismantling and ground-breaking works. The ground disturbing works and the demolition of the gas holder crown and dumpling were monitored where relevant. A comprehensive photograph register was maintained during the works, including a photograph location plan for the initial historic building record. Lastly, the service trenches and final scrape was inspected.
Information from A. Ruchonnet - Addyman Archaeology, 2024.
OASIS ID: addymana1-528315
