IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Willowbank Gardens, ALEXANDRIA, G83 9GB

When this photograph was taken, the Levenbank housing development was still partly under construction, although some houses were already occupied. For another view, see Image See Image for a view from within the development. The site had formerly been occupied by the remnants of Dalmonach Print Works; for the buildings that were on the site just before demolition cleared the way for the new housing development, see Image, Image, and Image

This is what was left of Dalmonoch Works Bonhill now demolished in late 2006 and soon will be a housing development

J & W Greig Ltd, Yarn Spinning Mills Dalmonach Works, Alexandria, Dunbartonshire This used to a Wool and Yarn Mill and has now been knocked down to build Flats and Houses the white building used to be a Garage for many years.

Looking up the River Leven from Bonhill Bridge on a frosty morning. A snowy Ben Lomond is visible in the background.

Riverside flats going up on what was the site of a factory.

Dalmonach Works Bonhill just before Demolition in 2006

As compared with another contributor's photograph from a few years ago – Image (the school is located in Bonhill) – a few differences are apparent. It is also possible to see, on the end wall, the outline of a smaller adjacent structure that has been demolished. This former schoolhouse is the sole remnant of the Dalmonach Works, much of whose former site is now occupied by the Image housing development. Dalmonach School was founded in the 1830s by James Black & Co, proprietors of the Dalmonach Works, for the education of "half-timers", the children who were employed in the works. According to pages 46-47 of "Records and Reminiscences of Bonhill Parish" (John Neill, 1912), the school had a good reputation until the 1860s, and produced a number of capable pupils, including William Bilsland, who would become Sir William Bilsland, Lord Provost of Glasgow. Another of the school's pupils was Donald MacFarlane, who became assistant to William Thomson, Lord Kelvin. The book "Lord Kelvin: An Account of his Scientific Life and Work" (Andrew Gray, 1908) describes MacFarlane as "a kind of universal physical genius ...; an expert calculator and an exact and careful experimentalist". According to his memorial, Donald MacFarlane was "for many years Assistant Professor of Natural Philosophy in the University of Glasgow": Image To add one more example not discussed in "Records and Reminiscences ...", another Dalmonach School pupil was Andrew Paul (d. 24th June 1903), born in 1834 at Thornliebank (Image). Andrew was educated at Dalmonach School while his father, Matthew, was a mechanic at the Dalmonach Works. Matthew Paul (Image) founded the Levenford Engine Works in Dumbarton, and Andrew would eventually become Chairman of that firm. He was also J.P. for the County of Dumbarton, and President of the Dumbarton Liberal Association. [These details are from his obituary, which appears on pages 392-93 of "Transactions of the Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders in Scotland (Incorporated)", Volume XLVI, Forty-Sixth Session, 1902-1903.] Incidentally, the "Records and Reminiscences ..." book cited above points out (p15) that Dalmonach School was built on what had previously been the site of "a smithy, the smith being considered a very skilful 'horse doctor'".

New Housing estate at Ferry Loan Alexandria

Old Bonhill School

View of the River Leven and Dalmonoch Works which has now been demolished