Historian Bill Whitehead has been delving into the history of Kennetpans - the former distillery site that was once home to the first Boulton and Watt rotative engine in Scotland. Bill recently spoke at a conference on Watt at the University of Birmingham and chatted later about his research into the Kennetpans Distillery, set up … Continue reading Delving into the history of Kennetpans
News
Author talks about Watt and new book
Author David Miller has been talking about his new book about James Watt. “The Life and Legend of James Watt: Collaboration, Natural Philosophy, and the Improvement of the Steam Engine” was published earlier this year by the University of Pittsburgh Press (hardcover, $50, ISBN 978-0-8229-4558-1). David is emeritus professor of the history of science at … Continue reading Author talks about Watt and new book
Get dressed to kilt in Watt tartan
History fans can now buy a complete Highland Dress outfit featuring the new James Watt tartan. The tartan was developed for Inverclyde Council to mark the 200th anniversary of inventor Watt's death. A number of small commemorative items, such as tartan ties, have been produced and sold in the area. Now a retailer in Greenock … Continue reading Get dressed to kilt in Watt tartan
Sign of the times at Kinneil
Historic Environment Scotland has revamped some of the signs at the site of the former cottage workshop of James Watt. The organisation has remade and remounted plaques on a historic steam engine cylinder, sited next to the remains of the Watt workshop at Kinneil Estate, Bo'ness. The workshop was built in the 1760s behind Kinneil … Continue reading Sign of the times at Kinneil
Find out about Watt and Roebuck
James Watt's pioneering development work on the steam engine 250 years ago is the subject of a talk this week. Ian Shearer from the Friends of Kinneil charity will be talking about the inventor and his partnership with industrialist Dr John Roebuck. The talk will take place at St Catharine's Church Hall in Bo'ness on … Continue reading Find out about Watt and Roebuck
Beer festival – celebrating Watt – gets underway this weekend
The Bo'ness Real Ale Festival 2019 - which has a James Watt theme - kicks off tomorrow (Friday, September 20, 2019). The event starts at 5 p.m. on Friday and then runs from noon on Saturday, September 21. The venue for the event is Bo'ness Town Hall. On both days, beers will be served in … Continue reading Beer festival – celebrating Watt – gets underway this weekend
New Watt book out on September 30
A new book on inventor James Watt is being published on September 30. "James Watt (1736-1819)" has been edited by Caroline Archer-Parré and Malcolm Dick. The publisher, Liverpool University Press, describes it as "essential in celebrating Watt's pivotal work", offering "new perspectives of Watts’ work in terms of context and his influences". A spokesperson for … Continue reading New Watt book out on September 30
See photos from Doors Open events in Inverclyde
The Greenock Telegraph has published a picture gallery from this year's Doors Open Days in Inverclyde. This year's events around Greenock had a James Watt theme. See the gallery here
Research explores links to slavery
The latest History West Midlands podcast features an interview with Dr Stephen Mullen from the University of Glasgow. His research reveals a dark side to the story of James Watt and his family. Dr Mullen claims the Watts were not only complicit in the slave trade - they participated directly and benefited extensively from the … Continue reading Research explores links to slavery
Here’s Watt to wear: tartan items now on sale
Merchandise featuring the newly-created James Watt Commemorative Tartan is now on sale. Ties, rosettes, umbrellas, travel mugs and pens are available ... and kilts may follow. The Beacon Arts Centre in Greenock is currently selling a selection of the Watt merchandise. A similar range of products will be available from the town's James Watt Institution … Continue reading Here’s Watt to wear: tartan items now on sale
James Watt 
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