Northern Glass Cone, Alloa Glass Works, Glass manufacturing cone in Alloa, Scotland.
The Northern Glass Cone is a glass manufacturing structure in Alloa with an octagonal brick base and a height of about 79 feet (24 meters). Arched entrances allow access to the interior where a central furnace and supporting structures once heated raw materials for glassmaking.
Lady Frances Erskine established the Alloa Glass Works in 1750 by bringing in craftsmen from Bohemia to construct the first glass cone at this location. The works operated as a major glassmaking center, contributing to the region's industrial prosperity throughout the 18th and 19th centuries.
The cone stands as Scotland's last remaining glass cone and represents the country's industrial heritage from the 18th century onwards. It shows how workers from different regions came together to develop skilled glassmaking in this remote location.
The cone can be viewed from the exterior to see its brick construction and arched features in detail. Daytime visits work best as natural light reveals the architectural details and scale of the structure clearly.
This structure survived the decline of the glass industry while many similar cones were demolished across Britain. It remains one of only four preserved glass cones in the entire United Kingdom, making it exceptionally rare.
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