Southhook
Southhook Pit, one of the oldest clay pits in south west
Scotland is situated near Knockintiber, just outside Kilmarnock.
Now closed down, it once belonged to Southhook potteries, Ltd., one
of the countries foremost manufacturers of sanitary ware and
bricks. The first recorded use of the site was in 1877 but it is
probable that ironstone was worked their earlier. The clay was
peculiarly free from impurities, and was specially adapted for the
manufacturing of large pieces such as baths, urinals and sinks. The
glazes were highly lustrous and guaranteed to be leadless and
non-crazing. The pottery's Bonnyton works in Kilmarnock were where
they manufactured most of their products including their
salt-glazed drainage pipes. In 1963 Shanks acquired Southhook
Potteries, and then 2 years later in 1965 Shanks & Co. also
acquired J&R Howie from Hurlford, and traded under the name of
Howie Southhook. Shanks Holdings Limited merged with Armitage Ware
Limited in 1969 to form Armitage Shanks.
