Robertson’s Mineral Water Works

Robertson’s Mineral Water Works at Springwell Blantyre.

The factory was at this location because of the natural water spring, hence the name Springwell.

Famous for their 5 Star Old Scotch Ginger Beer…

Robertson’s Ginger Factory was the Asda of it’s time, employing loads of people. My Mum, Rose Sim, nee Ward, worked in the Canteen for many years.

Jock Shaw and George McDermott were the drivers for Robertson’s ginger delivery trucks. Jock Shaw and his van boy Tony were a regular sight around Blantyre. Jock only had one arm but could throw and stack the crates with ease.

Jack Owens: Probably the two greys on the cart made it soooo special.

Sandy Wilkie: Aye, he and my father ALWAYS had a blether when I was on the horse drawn milk float with him when we passed them in Springwell!

William Ross: Jock Shaw lived in Parkville Drive.

Many thanks to Barbara Caviolo who sent me the photo from somewhere in Canada.

Thomas Dunsmuir Hartman formerly Logan Street, now in Chicago wrote, “The Robertson ginger works as we called them, was not the place to pass if you were a male and it was at lunch time. A lot of the women and girls especially during the war years just loved to get outside and sit down, with their backs up against the wall and have a smoke and heckle every man in sight, regardless of his age, all good clean fun. You were always guaranteed a good laugh of sorts.

A pal I knew was passing bye, and this woman calls out to him. Hey son where’s yer bum did ye leave it in yer either trousers, and this other women shouts out before he can answer, eh disnay have a bum, He’s only got the wan pair o’ trousers. The Blantyre women were special, they had to be among those Blantyre men”.

Your Comments:

Hugh Lennon Tonner: Half of Blantyre worked there one time or another. A few stories to come out of that place

Steph Burns: Loved working there.

Peter Murray: This was my first job after leaving school 1977 great memories.

Tom McGuigan: Brilliant memories!

Liz Boxall: Auld scotch and cola quenchy cups !! Brill.

Alex Young: I started in 1975 was there when they knocked the old building down, sad day, not the same when Dunns took over, Orange the best.

Melanie Baird: Omg I did my week work experience there loved it, happy days.

George Gibson: My grandfather was a Robertson.

Janette Goodman: Awe remember it well ! Loved the ginger especially the ginger beer.

Eddie Mcguire: Dogged school n try steal quenchy cups fae the back.

Helen Dyer: good old ginger factory…

Alex Graham: A few of my mate’s worked there year’s ago . Joe O’neil, Jim Lannigan, Billy Fairley.

Jim Walsh: I loved working there till they sacked me.

Anne Bell: Ur rite Alex went downhill used to get some laugh lol.

Christine Brown: Wee Rose Sim was the tea lady and her sister Ellen Robertson worked with me. Wee Rose was a lovely lady so was your aunt Ellen. Me and my hubby met there and got married when we worked there, we had our 50 anniversary on the 12 th July this year xx

Thea Borland Mcnamee: Work there on an off for years in the 70’s as temp worker, April till Sept, then got full time.. loved it there. They were brilliant days… remember when a was in old bottling hall and wore my jammies under ma jeans it wis that cold. I went back and worked night shift when it was Dunn’s.

Shuggie Whyte: I used to work there.

Alan Burnett: I worked there also, lost part of my finger on the machines in the Erca room.

Lynn Telfer: My Hubby, mother in law and his gran all worked there.

Melanie Baird: Did ma weeks work experience there and loved it x

Susan Walker Graham: My mum worked there, I remember she always came home and her hands were cola coloured…

Ann Ford: My mum brother and aunts all worked there.

Sharon Miller: Ma gran Helen Ferguson worked there for many years!!! She used to bring home the most amazing raspberry for our ice cream!!

Margaret McGuigan: My Auntie Ettie worked there for years she was the best.

Mary McGuigan: My mum, sister and brother worked there x

Agnes McAllister: My dad worked there for years George McDermott, but I don’t know if that photo was before he started.

Robert McLeod-Wolohan: I worked in Robertson’s ginger factory in the late 60’s, I was a forklift driver there, I loved working there lol, the bottle of ginger I really loved there was the special cola it was delicious.

Anthony Smith: And Robertson’s Cola was the best drink in the world.

James Mcguire: great ginger.

Bill McIntyre: Robertson 5 Star Ginger Beer was the best.

Ina Sanders: loved ginger beer xx

Kate Mcinulty: Cream soda was my fav x

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If you have any Photos… Send them to Bill

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