Site of former linoleum factory

Image: © Richard Sutcliffe Taken: 2 Mar 2020

According to the interpretation board beside the car park: This area was once the site of an enormous factory, founded as the Tay Oxide Co. in 1891 by Thomas Stalker Greig. It began life as a small shed in which jute or hessian canvas was given a number of coats of putty to make floorcloth, and was nicknamed the Putty Mill. In 1904 production switched to making linoleum, a hard-wearing floor covering produced by the oxidation of linseed oil, mixed with resins and fillers. Then known as Tayside Floorcloth Co Ltd. the factory grew rapidly. More workers and space were needed for the huge machines and stoves which produced rolls of 'lino'. In 1978, despite having one million pounds worth of orders, the company had no cash to purchase materials. 420 workers were made redundant and eight years later this once dominant feature of the town was pulled down. Now the site provides a peaceful greenspace for people to enjoy.

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