Barrs Quarry worked in the middle of the 1800's on Barrs farm belonging to Lord Breadalbane, on the west coast of upper Loch Etive.
There are collections of papers in the Breadalbane muniments to be investigated in the future. If anyone has any copies or connections with the quarry and the men who worked there, we would love to learn more.
http://catalogue.nrscotland.gov.uk/nrsonlinecatalogue/overview.aspx?st=1&tc=y&tl=n&tn=n&tp=n&k=barrs+quarry
Quarries : New Statistical Account 1845
We have no freestone quarries in the parish, but there is abundance of granite boulders, which, when split and dressed, form substantional and beautiful materials for building. Lord Breadalbane has opened, and is working successfully a granite quarry on his farm of Barrs, on the upper shores of Loch Etive, where the stones of a large size, of very superior quality, and susceptible of a high polish, are obtained. For works in which firmness and durability are necessary, finer materials can no where be found.
Papers of the Campbell Family, Earls of Breadalbane (Breadalbane Muniments)
Papers Relating to Mines and Minerals
Country Code GB : Rep Code 234
Repository National Archives of Scotland
GD112/18. Mines and minerals, 1628-1915 if anyone has the opportunity to get copies of the Barrs records it would be wonderful to have in the archive
Mining activities were widespread on the Breadalbane estates from the late 18th century.
Material in this section relates to Tyndrum lead mines, the Glenlochy and Tomnadashan mines, Barrs granite quarry and the various slate quarries at Easdale and Seil.
GD112/18/3/1 Barrs quarry, copy letters, mainly from Archibald Stewart to Sir Alexander Campbell of Barcaldine, bt., Breadalbane's chamberlain 1844-1848 This record is Open.
GD112/18/3/2 Barrs quarry, letters from Archibald Stewart to Sir Alexander Campbell of Barcaldine, bt. 1844-1845 This record is Open.
GD112/18/3/3 Barrs granite quarry, accounts and related papers 1846-1853 This record is Open.
GD112/18/3/4 Barrs quarry, correspondence 1844-1846 This record is Open.
GD112/18/3/5 Papers relative to contract to supply stone from the Barrs quarry to Thomas Brownlee, builder in Glasgow 1846-1849 This record is Open.
GD112/18/3/6 Barrs quarry, correspondence, Archibald Stewart to Sir Alexander Campbell of Barcaldine, with enclosures and related items 1847 This record is Open.
GD112/18/3/7 Original letters from Archibald Stewart to Sir Alexander Campbell 1845-1848 This record is Open.
GD112/18/3/8 Correspondence anent Barrs quarry 1844-1846 This record is Open.
GD112/18/3/9 Barrs quarry, letters from Archibald Stewart to Sir Alexander Campbell, with related correspondence and enclosures 1847
GD112/18/3/10 Letters anent Barrs quarry 1848 This record is Open.
GD112/18/3/11 Letters anent Barrs quarry 1849 This record is Open.
GD112/18/3/12 Letters anent Barrs quarry 1850-1851 This record is Open.
GD112/18/3/16 Accounts, statements etc, relative to work at Barrs quarry 1848-1853 This record is Open.
GD112/18/3/17 Barrs quarry, financial papers c 1849 This record is Open.
GD112/18/3/18 Barrs quarry, miscellaneous papers 1839-1850 This record is Open.
GD112/18/60 Barrs Granite Quarry 1848 This record is Open.
GD112/18/61 Barrs Granite Quarry 1848-1850 This record is Open.
GD112/18/62 Barrs Granite Quarry 1848 This record is Open.
GD112/18/63 Barrs Granite Quarry 1849 This record is Open
GD112/18/64 Barrs Granite Quarry 1848-1849 This record is Open.
GD112/18/65 Barrs Granite Quarry 1848-1849 This record is Open.
GD112/18/66 Barrs Granite Quarry 1848-1849 This record is Open.
GD112/18/67 Barrs Granite Quarry 1848-1849 This record is Open.
GD112/18/68 Barrs Granite Quarry c 1848 This record is Open.
GD112/18/69 Barrs Granite Quarry 1848 This record is Open.
GD112/18/70 Barrs Granite Quarry 1848-1849 This record is Open.
GD112/18/71 Barrs Granite Quarry 1848-1849 This record is Open.
GD112/18/72 Barrs Granite Quarry 1848 This record is Open.
GD112/18/73 Barrs Granite Quarry 1847-1849 This record is Open.
GD112/18/74 Barrs Granite Quarry 1847-1848 This record is Open.
GD112/18/75 Barrs Granite Quarry 1844-1849 This record is Open.
GD112/18/76 Barrs Granite Quarry 1848-1849 This record is Open.
GD112/18/77 Barrs Granite Quarry 1848 This record is Open.
GD112/39/417 Sir Alexander Campbell of Barcaldine to Archibald Stewart, Barrs Quarry, Lochetive, and Mr McPherson, Taymouth 1844 This record is Open.
GD112/39/419 Forest House of Glenurquhay, Holyrood, 21 Park Lane London, Easdale, Taymouth 1846 This record is Open.
GD112/39/420/1 William Gardner, Bonaw, to D Dewar, White Cottage, Glenorchy 4 May 1846 This record is Open.
GD112/39/420/2 Walter Gardner, addressed 'sir', Island Bonaw 12 May 1846 This record is Open.
GD112/74/127 Secretaries Correspondence - Sir Alexander Campbell of Barcaldine, BT 1848 This record is Open.
1. 1848 May 8. Barrs quarry.
James Ross.
Price of stones from the quarry; containing a rough sketch.
GD112/74/289 Miscellaneous letters 1847-1849 This record is Open.
15-16. 1849 February 14, June 29. Chamberlain's office Paisley.
John Lorimer to Barcaldine.
Order of and payment for granite from Barrs quarry, supplied to community of Paisley
GD112/74/293 Miscellaneous letters, mostly relating to Barrs granite quarries 1850-1858 This record is Open.
1-10, 12. 1850
Letters relating to rejected offer to supply granite from Barrs for building Stockwell bridge, Glasgow.
14. 1851 March 13. Glasgow.
H McC to [Breadalbane].
Shipmasters think themselves badly treated by Breadalbane's manager at Easdale with regard to coals; matters go badly there.
15. 1851 May 23. Kilchattan Luing.
Alexander Campbell to Breadalbane.
Expresses gratitude for annuity granted to writer in his old age and infirmity; state of model farm [bad].
17-18. 1851 December 30. 68 Eglinton Street Glasgow.
John Bethune, smith, to Barcaldine.
Encloses a bill for tools for the granite quarry, 1849.
23. 1855 January 24. Gleno.
Archibald Stewart to Breadalbane.
Interest for office of postmaster at Bonaw.
24. 1855 January 30. Muckairn Bonaw.
Duncan McNiven, late parochial schoolmaster at Muckairn, to Breadalbane.
Another application for office of postmaster at Bonaw.
GD170/3000 Letter from John Campbell, 2nd marques of Breadalbane, to Sir Alexander Campbell of Barcaldine, 2nd bt. 1842-1856 This record is Open.
Estate and personal matters.
Dated at Taymouth, London, Brighton, Florence, Baveria etc. including 1848, April 4. On Stewart's mismanagement of the granite quarries.
44 letters with 45 scroll answers, 1846-56, including the following: 1847, February 15. Gives details of state of quarries at Easdale, Barrs granite quarry, railways etc.
Ref No GD112/18/3/4
Title Barrs quarry, correspondence
Date 1844-1846
Extent 37 items : -
Description Including:
4. Donald McNab to Mr Mudie, Barrs quarry. Kilbride Seil, 21 October 1844.
—-‘I will not take one farthin less than 15 shillings … There is another place waiting on me and mind if I will go there that I will have my weages weet and dry’.
16. Archibald Stewart to Sir Alexander Campbell. Barrs quarry, 11 March 1846.
Suggests that the quarry stone would be suitable stone blocks for laying proposed railway line on such as were used for the Perth and Stirling railway; and the whole line from Oban to Dalmally could be done.
17. Scroll, Archibald Stewart to William Robertson, 13 Green Hill Street, Glasgow. Barrs quarry Bunaw, 2 May 1846. Suggests using stone for kerbstones on temporary bridge across the Clyde. Endorsed with another letter, 23 May 1846, reporting on supply of stone for the Broomlaw quay.
20. Copy or scroll letter from Archibald Stewart to Sir Alexander Campbell. Barrs quarry, 2 April 1846. Reports on public works being carried on in Glasgow.
24. Copy letter, Archibald Stewart to Mr Meldrum. Glasgow, 12 June 1846. Supply of copestones and tram rails for the city of Glasgow.
25. Copy letter, Archibald Stewart to the Phoenix Foundry, Glasgow. Barrs quarry, 14 July 1846. Accepts offer to supply gearing of a crane.
26. Copy, Archibald Stewart to Sir A Campbell. Glasgow, 9 July 1846. Supply of a crane for the quarry.
29. Copy letter, Archibald Stewart to Mr Brownlie, Glasgow. Barrs quarry, 25 August 1846.
Offers to provide stone for new addition to quay wall on south side of the Clyde.
32-3. Copy letters, Archibald Stewart to Sir A Campbell. Glasgow, 11 September, 20 October 1846. Other offers of stone for the harbour.
Access Status Open
Papers of the Campbell Family, Earls of Breadalbane (Breadalbane Muniments)
Papers Relating to Mines and Minerals
Country Code GB
Rep Code 234
Repository National Archives of Scotland
Ref No GD112/18/3/3
Title Barrs granite quarry, accounts and related papers
Date 1846-1853
Extent 40 items : - if anyone has the opportunity to get copies of these records it would be wonderful to have in the archive
Description Including:
1-3. Account, David Meldrum, mason, and Barrs quarry, 1846.
4. Scroll statement of cash received and expended at Barrs granite quarries during management by Mr Archibald Stewart, 1846-8.
5. Agreement for supplying 450 lineal feet of granite cope stones to William Yorke, 7 December 1846.
6. Copy memo of agreement between Thomas Brownlie, builder in Glasgow, and Archibald Stewart, manager at Barrs quarry, Loch Etive, whereby said Thomas, as contractor for extension of south quay wall of Harbour of Glasgow, etc, is to be furnished with granite coping, stairs, quoins and other stones required for said work as in specification, 26 September 1846.
15-20. Copy statement of accounts, 1847-9.
21-2. Account of labourers at Barrs quarry July-September 1849.
38. Certificate in favour of James Ross, foreman of granite quarries at Barrs on Lochetive in Argyllshire from March 1848 to November 1849, when the quarries were discontinued, 5 November 1849.
Access Status Open
Papers of the Campbell Family, Earls of Breadalbane (Breadalbane Muniments)
Papers Relating to Mines and Minerals
Country Code GB
Rep Code 234
Repository National Archives of Scotland
Ref No GD112/18/3/5
Title Papers relative to contract to supply stone from the Barrs quarry to Thomas Brownlee, builder in Glasgow
Date 1846-1849
Extent 15 items
Description Including: 8. Contract between Thomas Brownlee, builder in Glasgow, on one part, and Sir Alexander Campbell of Barcaldine, bt., on behalf of the Marquess of Breadalbane, on other part, whereby said marquess is to deliver to said Thomas, the whole granite coping, quoins and ferry stairs necessary for construction of extension of south quay wall of Glasgow harbour, according to plans prepared by Messrs Walker and Burgess, consulting engineers, and David Bremner, resident engineer of Glasgow Harbour Trustees, 9, 21 December 1846.
Access Status Open
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