The following article was published by Eddie McRorie on 29th April 2025 on the Johnstone History Facebook page and is reproduced here with his kind permission.

A. McArthur & Sons - Peockland Engine Works

Peockland Engine Works was established in 1866 by master engineer Archibald McArthur. When he died in 1875 at the age of only 56, he left the company in the capable hands of his son William, who was also a master engineer.

By 1881, the Engine Works employed 25 men and 5 boys, with William, his wife Margaret, and their five sons living at Elmbank in Armour Place—just a stone’s throw from the Engine Works at Peockland (¹), an area near the old site where canal boats would turn on their return journey (²) to Paisley or the terminus at Eglinton Port in Glasgow.

The death of his father in his prime had a significant impact on William McArthur, who now bore full responsibility for the continuation of the Engine Works as a going concern. One immediate consequence was that William could no longer fulfil his civic duty as a Commissioner of Johnstone, as the following letter explains:

Resignation of Mr. Wm. McArthur

The Clerk read the following letter:

"Peockland Engine Works," Johnstone (near Glasgow), 13th September, 1875.

Messrs, the Commissioners of the Burgh of Johnstone,

GENTLEMEN,—On account of the altered circumstances at our works, caused by the death of my father, I find my time so much taken up that it is impossible for me to give that attention to the Burgh which my constituency and the ratepayers at large have a right to expect. You will therefore please accept my resignation as Commissioner for the Second Ward at your meeting to-night.

Thanking the various members of the Board for their courtesy and attention during my seat at the Board,

I am, Gentlemen, your most obedient servant,

Wm. McArthur

William McArthur continued in his role as owner of the Peockland Engine Works until his untimely death in 1887, at just 46 years of age.

That same year, the Works were acquired by the Loudon Brothers, George and Hugh, from Kilmarnock. In the 1890s, the brothers expanded the facilities, adding a large machine shop facing John Lang Street.

Both brothers died in the early 20th century—Hugh in 1911 at the age of 64, and George in 1914 at 63.

The company continued under the Loudon Brothers name until 1937, when it became part of the Scottish Machine Tool Corporation (S.M.T.C.), formed by the amalgamation of:

• James Bennie and Sons Ltd.

• G. and A. Harvey, Glasgow

• Loudon Brothers Ltd., Johnstone

• Craig and Donald Ltd., Johnstone

• James Allan Senior and Sons Ltd., Glasgow

Each retained their separate autonomy despite the amalgamation.

The S.M.T.C. operated until 1982, when it went into liquidation.

Today, the site of Archibald McArthur & Sons, Peockland Engine Works, has been redeveloped for housing.

¹ The name “Peockland” originated from a Mr. Peock who once owned the land. It was common in earlier times to name areas by adding “land” to the owner's name.
² The canal turning area was filled in and became locally known as “The Basin”—a name still used to this day.

View of the Peockland Engine Works from Peockland Gardens

Map showing the location of the works, the basin and the family home

September 1867

September 1867

Elmbank, the family home