Archaeologists Unearth Remnants of Lost Scottish Wine-Bottle Glass Factory

An apartment complex construction in Leith, Scotland has uncovered the remains of an 18th-century glass factory. Leith was once a crucial center for bottle production, supplying Britain’s trade in wine and spirits. The factory’s furnaces were capable of producing up to one million bottles per week at its peak in 1770. Archaeologists discovered the factory’s remnants during a pre-construction archaeological survey. The survey revealed the six enormous kilns of the Edinburgh and Leith Glassworks, which were significant features of the local skyline. The glassworks contributed to advancements in glass bottle manufacturing, including the use of coal as a fuel source, resulting in stronger glass. The discovery sheds light on Leith’s historical role in the production of glass bottles and its influence on the modern wine bottle shapes. The apartment complex construction plans to accommodate and preserve the remains of the glass factory, recognizing their national importance.