On 2 March 1908 the Dundee Courier announced that "extensive gasworks are about to be laid down at two different places in Fife - at Kennoway and at Largo." Each was to cost between £6,000 and £7,000 and the engineer was to be a Mr J.B. Scott of the Cowdenbeath Gas Company. Mr Scott had reportedly visited both places and "suitable sites have now been obtained for both concerns". With plans being prepared and building work close to beginning the article finished by commenting upon what a "great boon" this would be for these villages, making them "more attractive at night time".
Just over a year later, the Evening Telegraph (20 April 1909) heralded the completion of the work at Largo in a two sentence piece...
"The gasworks at Largo are ready for operations, and the supply will be turned on today. It will be a great acquisition to the Easter visitors, who are numerous at present."
Just over a year later, the Evening Telegraph (20 April 1909) heralded the completion of the work at Largo in a two sentence piece...
"The gasworks at Largo are ready for operations, and the supply will be turned on today. It will be a great acquisition to the Easter visitors, who are numerous at present."
The main brick building was the gas "retort house". The retort house would have contained the 'retorts' (closed containers) in which coal would have been burned to produce gas. The gas would have been piped into the gas holder which stood alongside the retort house. The Largo gas holder was removed decades ago. The retort house has undergone various alterations over the years and has had a number of different uses but it still represents a great example of Largo's industrial heritage.
Above are some images from the interiors of other retort houses.
RSS Feed
