In the Victorian era cast iron became ubiquitous in our parks, our streets and our architecture more generally. It was impossible to avoid and made up a large part of park and street furniture, from bandstands to drinking fountains, railings to lamp-posts and sewer ventilation to public toilets, and everything in between, and not just in Britain but around the world.
You might be surprised, however, to discover that many of the leading design and manufacturing companies for cast iron goods were based in Scotland, largely because there were good sources of both coal and iron ore. The largest of them was Walter MacFarlane and Son.
Established in 1850 in Glasgow, then the British Empire’s second city, MacFarlane’s led the way in not only design and manufacturing quality but aesthetics as well. Walter himself was a consummate salesman and made his fortune “by the beauty of his designs and the excellence of the workmanship, coupled with admirable organization.”
Many of you will remember I’m sure the best-selling comic history book 
The Gardens Trust 
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