The MacGills and the Scotts.

June 2026

According to Derek Findlay, William MacGill (1765-1817), who hailed from Dunbar, established a boat yard and was building ships at Bowling Bay from 1790 to 1793. At that time he moved to Glasgow where his brother Thomas (1771-1829) was also building ships, at Broomielaw. In April 1800 the Forth and Clyde Canal Company acce

pted an offer from “Thomas MacGill, shipbuilder at Broomielaw”,“for a seven years lease of the Company’s dock at Bowling  Bay”. He also rented the shore ground west of and adjacent to the graving dock for the building of ships which were launched into Bowling Bay before the building of the harbour there. The brothers were clearly well established at Bowling Bay by 1811 for at that time they employed 8 journeymen being paid 4/6 per day and 5 apprentices being paid 2/6 a day. William died, unmarried, in 1817 and is buried in Old Kilpatrick churchyard, his grave marked by a gravestone erected by his brother.

 

 

The Graving dock which Thomas rented from the Forth and Clyde Canal Company cost him £25 in the first year rising to £40 over a number of years. On 8 November, 1800 Thomas MacGill married Jean Scott (1787-1852) a daughter of James Scott (1744-1826), my four times  great grandfather, and Jean McLaren (1751-18??). At the time of their marriage Jean was just under 14 years of age and Thomas was just under 30. Initially, the yard only undertook repairs, however in 1804 the sloop “Active” was built for, and sailed by, Captain John Scott (1774-1858), my three times great grandfather and a brother to Jean who had married Thomas in1800. 

 Captain John Scott [1780-1845] was the first of the Dunerbuck family to become a shipowner. It is said this vessel was the first that was advertised to take cargo direct from Liverpool to Glasgow without transhipping whole or part cargo at Greenock; the average passage at this time from Greenock to Glasgow being about a fortnight for vessels of her class. On one occasion the “Active” and a coal gabbert were the only vessels in the harbour of Glasgow. She once made the passage from Belfast Lough to Greenock in 12 hours…. source John Bruce 

David became senior partner on the death of their father in 1829; his grave is alongside his brother’s in Old Kilpatrick churchyard.  In 1836 they employed 10 journeymen at £1.1s. per week and 6 apprentices at 6/- per week. source Derek Findlay

Thomas MacGill and two of his sons, David (1804-1833) and Thomas (1814-1882), built vessels at Bowling until 1843 when the yard was forced to close due to an extension of the Forth and Clyde Canal terminal basin plus an extra lock and outer harbour which necessitated the removal of the dock. In their time the MacGills built approximately 40 ships. The apprentices employed at the time included James Scott (1830-1903), grandson of James Scott (1744-1826) and Jean McLaren (1751-18??); James completed his apprenticeship at Denny & Rankin’s yard in Dumbarton.

Cargo ships associated with the Scotts.

In 1803 the Sloop ‘Active’ was built by Thomas MacGill for John Scott of Dunerbuck to carry cargo; 69 tons, 54′ 2″ length, 17′ 7″ breadth, 7′ 7″ Depth.

In 1808 Thomas MacGill built a cargo vessel,  ‘Brothers’, for John , Gabriel and James Scott and David Donald ( an Old Kilpatrick seaman but not a relative, I think). A Sloop of 72 tons, 55’6” length, 17’6” breadth and 5’7” depth.

In 1812 ‘Acorn II’ was built by Thomas MacGill for John Scott and Captain Gabriel Scott. A Sloop of 78 tons, 58’4” length, 17’11” breadth and 8’4” depth. Acorn had a Lloyds certificate of seaworthiness: she was of a single deck, the owner was John Scott and the Master was Gabriel Scott built from Hazel and Cedar and had a Lloyds class E (2nd).

In 1818 the Brig ‘Albion’ was built by Thomas MacGill for John and Gabriel Scott and others. It was 90 tons, 59’2” length, 17’6” breadth and 10’2” depth.

The ‘Osprey’ was built in 1822 by Thomas MacGill for Walter Scott, the Scotts and others. It was a Schooner of 86 tons, 59’6” length, 18’6” breadth and 10’0” depth.

Captain Peter Scott took delivery of ‘Eagle” in 1825, a Schooner built by Thomas MacGill. It was 94 tons, 61’10” length, 19’4” breadth and 10’7” depth. According to Lloyd’s it was owned by Scott & Co and was made of Mahogany and Cedar and had a classification of AI.

In 1827 Thomas MacGill built ‘Amity’ for Captain Ebenezer Roy and others. A Brig of 116 tons, 69’0” length, 20’0” breadth and 12’ 1” depth. Captain Ebenezer Roy (1795-1837) was married to Jean MacGill (1801-1879), a daughter of Thomas MacGill (1783-1829) and Jean Scott (1787-1852).

The ‘Swan’ was built in 1829 by Thomas MacGill for Walter Scott, the Scotts and others. It was a Schooner of 94 tons, 60’4” length, 19’4” breadth and 10’7” depth.

David MacGill in 1831 built for the Scotts and others a Schooner named ‘Alert’ which was 75 tons, 57’3” length, 17’9” breadth and 9’1” depth.

Captain Ebenezer Roy, the Scotts and others had ‘Rosebud’ built by David MacGill in 1834, a Brig of 174 tons, 82’2” length, 21’11” breadth and 14’6” depth.

In 1838 ‘Rainbow’ (Lloyd’s official number: 19421) was built by David MacGill for Thomas Buchanan junior, James MacGill and others including Captain Peter Scott. It was a Brig of 167 tons, 73’6” length, 20’0” breadth and 13’8” depth. Lloyd’s records the owners as Scott & Co. It was part sheathed with yellow metal with a Classification of A1.

‘Woodside’ was built by Scott & Sons Greenock for Gabriel Scott in 1839.

In 1842 ‘Bowling’ was built by David MacGill for McBrayne, McIndoe, Captain Robert Gentle and others. This was a Barque of 253 tons, 93’1” length, 22’0” breadth and 14’7” depth. Captain Robert Gentle (1806-1863) was married to Mary MacGill (1814-1882) another daughter of Thomas MacGill (1783-1829) and Jean Scott (1787-1852).

The Schooner ‘Agnes’ was built by David MacGill in 1846 for Thomas and James MacGill, the Scotts and others. A Schooner of 80 tons, 61’1” length, 17’3” breadth and 9’6” depth.

Lloyd’s list has a reference to the Sloop ‘William and Friends’ owned by G Scott & Co with John Scott as the Master. It was berthed in Leith and was built of Cedar. Its classification was E (2nd).

In 1834, George Mills, son of a Glasgow provost, entered into a partnership with Charles Wood, who along with his father, John, and his brother, had built the first wooden paddle steamship, the Comet, in 1812 at Port Glasgow. They opened a shipyard at Littlemill in Bowling at the other end of Bowling Bay from MacGill’s yard. The partnership did not last long, however, as Charles Wood left for Dumbarton to set up business on his own. In 1840, Mills retired from business and the yard was closed.

 In 1846 the Canal Company obtained parliamentary approval to build a new wharf where the shipyard [MacGill’s] was, and to enlarge the canal basin. This work was completed in 1849 and brought about the end of shipbuilding at that location. source Derek Findlay

During the 1840’s, Bowling and Littlemill went through a period of change; in 1841, Robert Bell of Frisky Hall, built a wharf at the up-river side of the canal river entrance, thus bringing more trade to the “Sutherland Arms Hotel”; in 1844, work started on the new canal entrance, a 500 ft quay wall (where the old shipyard was), and a 500 ft new timber wharf facing the river in line with the Clyde Trustees low dyke which had a short timber wharf built on top of it in 1845; in 1848, the new basin was dredged to a depth of 9ft below low water; by August 1841, the new mooring station posts were ready to the west end of the basin, costing almost £1,750; [now a Scheduled Ancient Monument] on Monday 15th. July , 1850, the Caledonian & Dumbartonshire Junction Railway was opened, this line started at Balloch and terminated at Frisky Hall where a new pier had been built together with a station, offices, store and carriage repairing shed covering 1,250 sq. yds. and costing £220,000.

In 1834 10 journeymen and six apprentice carpenters were employed by Mr MacGill. The largest vessel built at the dock was the “Bowling” of 253 tons register, launched in 1842, and Barque rigged. She was 93 feet long, 22 feet beam, and 14 feet deep. Being built with full lanes, as was the fashion in these days, she was a good carrier. She traded to the west coast of South America and East Indies. Captain Robert Gentle [1806-1863, married to Mary MacGill 1814-1882, Thomas’ daughter] a native of Kincardine on Forth was master, and sailed for many years he was one of the old school salts. He died, March, 1863, and lies buried in old Kilpatrick churchyard. Source John Bruce

At the time of the 1841 census James Scott (1830-1903) was living at home and his employment was described as a Ship’s Carpenter; this would be while he was in an apprenticeship with MacGill. On the 1851 census he is living with his widowed mother, Agnes, and was still described as a Ship’s Carpenter.

When the shipyard at the canal closed [to allow the Canal Company to build the new wharf and to enlarge the canal basin], James Scott went to Denny and Rankin’s yard in Dumbarton to complete his apprenticeship, where he lodged with his sister, Isabella, who was married to Peter McFarlane, the keeper of Dumbarton Jail. source: J Craig Osborne

Captain James Scott, who died in 1845 when his son James was 15, bought from the trustees of William Aitken, in 1840/41, Frisky Hall Orchard ground and Carnell Park; Frisky Hall was a large mansion house built about 1784. The Orchard ground lay between the Old Fishers Road, on the west, and the Auchentorlie Burn, on the east, extending down to the river from the Main Road; this ground was inherited by his son, James, after his mother’s death….

With the passing of the railway through the Orchard grounds [Frisky Hall Orchard], the railway company paid damages to James Scott and his mother amounting to £420 in compensation. : source J Craig Osborne

When James returned to Littlemill [in 1851 after completing his apprenticeship at Denny and Rankin] he went into partnership with the MacGill brothers [David and Thomas] and drew up the following contract:-

We the under-signed: 

David MacGill (46), James Scott (21) and Thomas MacGill (36) having resolved to engage in and carry on business together as Shipbuilders under the Firm and designation of “Scott & MacGill” and with this view do hereby make and mutually agree to the following as our conditions of Copartnership:-

1st. That this partnership shall be for the period of five years from and after Whitsunday [18th. May] 1851. But should any one of the partners wish to withdraw from the business before the expiry of that period he shall receive his third part of the whole stock and value  the business then carried on.

2nd. That the ground occupied by us for carrying on our business shall be the lower end of that between the River Clyde and the Railway belonging to Mrs. James Scott and her son James extending to two thirds of the said piece of ground and at the yearly rent of £15 and should the other third be at any time required by us then and in that case we shall be entitled to occupy the same by paying the additional sum of £5 making the rent for the whole ground, £20. source J. Craig Osborne.

In 1841 Thomas MacGill (1814-1882), of the partnership, married another Jean Scott (1818-1849), granddaughter of Peter Scott (1747-1808) and Mary Brock (1751-1831) of Greenland farm.

In 1853, James married Charlotte Wood (1827-1917) at Port Glasgow. Charlotte was the daughter of Charles Wood (1790-1847) who, in partnership with George Mills operated a shipyard at Littlemill between 1834 and 1836. Charles was a very successful Naval Architect; he never married and Charlotte was his only child. Her mother’s name, I believe, was McLachlan. At the time of the 1855 Valuation Roll, James was renting a property in Littlemill from his brother, Captain Robert Scott (1817-1888) of Oakbank. 

In 1858 Robert Duncan entered the partnership and the firm’s name was changed to Scott, MacGill and Duncan. That same year a second slip was laid down in the yard and ship repair and shipbuilding were carried on simultaneously. In 1861, Duncan retired and the firm reverted to Scott & MacGill. This small yard built wooden sailing vessels until, in 1874, it built its first iron vessel.

At the time of the 1861 census James and Charlotte were  living at Orchard Cottage, Littlemill and James was described as a Master Shipbuilder. By the 1871 census James was employing 30 Men and 25 Boys and this grew to 100 men and boys by the time of the 1881 census.

In 1876 Thomas MacGill retired from the firm; his brother David had retired some years earlier possibly in 1856; the fifth anniversary of establishing their partnership, leaving James Scott on his own and the name of the company was changed to Scott and Company. Because of the size of the shipyard at Bowling, the firm was limited in the size of vessel that could be built. They specialised in coastal vessels, tugs and small cargo vessels. In 1887 the yard launched its first tug, the Wybia. In 1889 more ground was acquired and a new building berth was laid down. 

By 1881, his two sons, Charles Wood Scott (1858-1931) and James Watson Scott (1860-1950), had joined him in the business. A partnership was formed in 1892 between James Scott and his two sons, and so the firm’s name was changed again, to Scott and Sons. The firm continued to prosper well into the twentieth century, building in excess of 450 vessels, many of these being passenger vessels and coasters for Gardner & Stewart. 

In 1901, the remaining ground to the east of the shipyard was rented from the Caledonian and Dumbartonshire Junction Railway. Frisky Hall itself, an 18th century building which the railway company had used as a workmen’s hostel, was acquired for offices and stores. 

In 1903, James Scott senior died at his home,Orchard, he was buried in Old Kilpatrick graveyard which is where many of the Scott family are buried. His widow, Charlotte (a daughter of Charles Wood of the Comet fame above) died in 1917 and was buried alongside her husband.

 

 

In loving memory
James Scott
Shipbuilder
Orchard Bowling 
died 13 Oct 1903 
aged 72 years
Charlotte Wood
his wife 
died 6th Dec 1917 
aged 90 years.

 

 

 

 

In his will, in addition to legacies to family members, the church and the Bowling Seaman’s Society, James left the land and properties which he owned, equally to Charles and James junior along with his shares in Scott & Sons. 

 

His widow, Charlotte, continued to live at Orchard Cottage; at the time of the 1911 census her niece, Jessie Dickson (1859-1948) was acting as housekeeper. Charlotte died at home in 1917 and was buried alongside her husband, James.

 

The two sons carried on the business but Charles Wood Scott died in 1931 at which time James Watson Scott (1860-1950) assumed his two sons as partners; Walter Symington Scott (1897-1963) and Charles McLay Scott (1901-1973); together with his late brother’s two sons, James Watson Scott (1887-1963) and Charles Wood Scott (1896-1960). In addition to his two sons Walter and Charles, James (1860-1950) had two further sons: James Wood Scott (1894-1915) and William Strang Scott (1895-1983). James was obviously destined to enter the business, as the Glasgow University Roll of Honour records: He attended the High School of Glasgow from 1903 until 1909, when he went to Leys School, Trumpington Road, Cambridge until 1912. He then went to the University of Glasgow to read for his BSc in Naval Architecture, combined this with practical courses in Engineering, and in 1914 gained the distinction of the ‘George Young’ Bursary. He won prizes in Mathematics, Natural Philosophy, First Course for Engineers and the Drawing Class prize in Naval Architecture. He had joined the OTC and had just returned from its summer camp when war was declared. Like many did in 1914 he immediately joined up, joining the 8th Bn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) and was given a commission on the 29th August. In the following May this battalion sailed for Gallipoli. On the 28th June 1915, his battalion was in an action from which few emerged unwounded. Initially James was reported missing, his death remaining unconfirmed as the 28th June 1915 for many years. He is remembered on the Helles Memorial [Gallipoli]. Source: Glasgow University Roll of Honour. His name is on the war memorial at Bowling. William Strang Scott also served in the Cameronians and retired as Captain.

In 1932 Charles Wood Scott (1896-1950), now the shipyard manager, married Beryl Winifred Ethne Yarrow (1911-2008), granddaughter of Sir Alfred Yarrow who had relocated his shipbuilding business from the Thames to Scotstoun on the Clyde in 1905/6. Bringing two shipbuilding dynasties together.

In 1933, the shipyard built its first diesel-powered coaster for a New Zealand owner and 14 years later it produced its last steam powered coastal vessel, the Ebony, for an Irish company. 

On 15  December, 1950 James Watson Scott (born1860) died at Glenarbuck.

In 1958, following the retirement of James Watson Scott (1887-1963), the firm became a limited company, trading under the name Scott and Sons (Bowling) Limited. In 1959, the last steam tug to be built at Bowling, The North Wall, was launched. More land was rented from, the now, British Railways and a new set of offices were erected in 1961. In June 1965, the company was taken over by Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company of Greenock and in the same year Walter Symington Scott retired followed two years later by Charles McLay Scott. This brought to an end the Scott family’s connection with the Bowling yard.

In 1968, the shipyard became part of the Scott-Lithgow Group; the same year as the last riveted vessel, the Chieftain, was launched. Despite an order from the Mexican Government for five fishery protection vessels in 1973, orders were harder to obtain and the last vessel to leave the yard was the Laggan built for Forth Tugs Limited of Grangemouth and the yard was closed by August 1979. 

 David MacGill retired from the partnership sometime prior to his brother Thomas who retired in 1876, possibly in 1856. At the time of the 1861 census David is described as a Grocer and Toll Keeper in Bowling. His father in law, James Wilson was a toll keeper. David’s wife Janet Wilson (1816-1861) died in December 1861. At the time of the 1871 census, David had moved with his family to Tradeston where he was a Blacksmith, I think for a shipbuilding company as his death record in 1883 described him as a Shipsmith: Blacksmith for maritime vessels. Thomas, his brother, died in 1882 and was described as a retired shipbuilder. 

Among David’s children was Thomas MacGill (1842-1928) who began his career as a Clerk in a Shipping Office, then became a Steamship Agent at Grangemouth and finished as a Shipowner and Shipbroker. Another of his children was David MacGill (1846-1928) who began as a clerk in a firm of shipbuilders, by 1879 he was a Ship Building Manager at Hull. By the 1881 census he was a Manager of a Shipyard at Wallsend, Tynemouth; where Lord Armstrong in later years established his shipbuilding company. And by the 1891 census he was Shipyard manager at Irvine, Ayrshire having moved there in the late 1880s. He sold his operations to John H. Gilmour & Co in 1892, and by 1901 he was at Grangemouth. In 1879 he married Annie Alexander at Glasgow who predeceased him in 1897 at Ardrossan. David died at Falkirk in 1928. David’s third son, John MacGill (1859-1890) suffered from Bronchitis from an early age, however he became a Bookkeeper in a Drapery firm in Glasgow. Bronchitis was one of three chest complaints on his death record at the young age of 32 in 1890 at Grangemouth. At the time of his death he was described as a Mercantile Clerk. He died at Mandel House which was also the address for his brother, Thomas. Records show that in 1890 Mandel House was a Customs House. He was obviously a well known person as this death notice in the Falkirk Herald records: We regret to hear of the death at Mandel House, Grangemouth, yesterday of Mr. John Wilson MacGill, at the early age of 32. He was a brother of Mr Thomas MacGill, shipowner, and was much respected by a wide circle of friends in the port.

Footnote: In September 1993 it was reported that the world’s oldest steam yacht was to return to the Clyde. The Carola built in 1898 by Scott & Sons of Bowling for family use and for work in and around their yard. Carola has been donated to the Scottish Maritime Museum. In the 1960s Carola was laid up in the River Leven at Dumbarton and fell into a state of disrepair over the next ten years. She was sold to a Hampshire owner who began to restore the Govan-built steam engine and boiler before undertaking charter work on the South Coast in the ownership of Mr Mark Varvill from Chichester who has donated half the cost to the museum. (William Strang Scott has a slightly different recollection in so far as it was built in 1894 for the family, sold to Patterson of the Isle of Eigg and eventually sold back to the yard).

sources: Lennox Herald, John Bruce, J.C. Osborne, Derek Findlay and Ayrshire World.