General View of Compound
AssociatedAssociated with
Sandilands Chemical Works
(Aberdeen, Scotland, founded 1848)
DateAugust 1962
Object NamePhotograph
MediumPaper
ClassificationsChemicals and Gas
Dimensions9 x 12.6cm
AcquisitionPresented in 2005 by Mrs M Keay.
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDMS075263.173
About MeIn 1848 George Miller of Glasgow leased land adjacent to the gasworks. His purpose was to process the by-products of coal gas manufacture. Ammoniac water was the product he sought. This he intended to turn a fertiliser that could be sold to local farmers. In this way the coal gas industry provided the backbone for a chemical industry. Miller's Sandilands Chemical Works, known locally as "stinky Miller's", went on to manufacture a range of products for North East agriculture. In 1928 it became part of Scottish Agricultural Industries.