IT was the small, local engineering company that became a global enterprise – a proper Scottish success story.

In 1871, brothers George and James Weir founded G & J Weir amidst the booming industrial scene in the west of Scotland.

The men - descendants of Robert Burns - produced their own ground-breaking inventions in pumping equipment – primarily for the world famous Clyde shipyards and the steam ships being built there.

Times Past reader Doug Michael is writing a book about the famous firm from Cathcart – it is where he started his apprenticeship back in 1968, and he has many fond memories of the place and its people.

“George and James Weir were Scottish engineering pioneers and I wanted to write an unofficial history of the company,” says Doug.

Doug with colleague Malky during his time at Weirs

Doug with colleague Malky during his time at Weir's

“I’ve chosen the period of time from when it was founded until 1975, which is when I left to join the Merchant Navy.

“The book is based on my memories and my personal collection of Weir’s memorabilia, and it will be dedicated to the brothers’ memory and to all the people I had the pleasure of working with during my two terms of employment at Cathcart.”

Doug did his practical training in the Cathcart factory’s dedicated apprentice section on the top floor, like numerous ships’ engineers before him.

Doug Michael pictured in his workshop at home in East Kilbride. Doug is an engineer who used to work at Weirs is writing a book about Glasgow’s famous Weirs of Cathcart... Photograph by Colin Mearns.24 February 2021.For GT Times Past, see

Doug Michael pictured in his workshop at home in East Kilbride. Doug is an engineer who used to work at Weirs is writing a book about Glasgow’s famous Weirs of Cathcart... Photograph by Colin Mearns.24 February 2021.For GT Times Past, see

“I remember seeing all the photographs of past apprentices in their uniforms, hanging up on the wall of the training centre,” he says.

“During that first year, we honed our skills to make the tools of the trade - pliers, spanners, hammers, pipe vices, grips – and finally a toolbox to put them all in.”

Doug was promoted to Inspector with six months of his apprenticeship still to run and he became the first apprentice in Weir’s to complere a third EITB Certificate in Engineering Inspection.

“Six months after my apprenticeship finished my certificate from Further Education slipped through the letterbox. It had all been worthwhile,” he recalls.

During his time at Weir’s, Doug worked in Belfast and around Scotland.

A 1/4 scale model of a Weir direct acting steam pump made by Doug Michael. Doug is an engineer who used to work at Weirs is writing a book about Glasgow’s famous Weirs of Cathcart... Photograph by Colin Mearns.24 February 2021.For GT Times Past,

A 1/4 scale model of a Weir direct acting steam pump made by Doug Michael. Doug is an engineer who used to work at Weirs is writing a book about Glasgow’s famous Weirs of Cathcart... Photograph by Colin Mearns.24 February 2021.For GT Times Past,

He also recalls a dramatic episode working at the former Blindcraft factory in Springburn (now City Building’s RSBi manufacturing facility.)

“The fitter Wullie and I had to take piston rings and bucket rings to the factory, and I can still remember the look on the Glasgow clippie’s face, in charge of her hallowed turf, when we tried to take them on the bus,” he says.

“’Mair Weir’s men…whaur de ye think ye’re gaun wi’ t wi thaaaat boax?’ she yelled at us, but after delicate negotiations, the toolbox and rings were deposited under the stairs at the rear of the bus.”

Doug adds: “We eventually arrived and started work on the pump which had been shut down the day before and allowed to cool down overnight in advance of our arrival.

“Wullie went round the back, when all of a sudden there was a scream and a splash – he had fallen into the hotwell and was up to his waist in oily water. Fortunately, there was a ladder close by so I got him out.

“As you can imagine, he was not best pleased but, like all the Weir’s men, the job came first. When we’d finished, we went back to the bus stop, with Wullie squelching and dripping with every stop.

“Of course, as luck would have it, when the bus drew up, it was the same clippie….”

Doug laughs: “She was standing on the deck waiting for us and with one look at drookit Wullie, told him not to ‘sit on her seats’, but to stand on the platform, which he did all the way to Cathcart.”

Working in a factory gave employees plenty of funny moments, says Doug.

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“Somewhere the size of G&J Weir – well, there was a lot going in,” he says. “Some people had interesting sidelines – one ran a sweetshop, another sold cigarettes, and there were several bookies’ runners. There was also a lad who’d done a deal with a local butcher, and anyone who wanted to could purchase a parcel of steak, mince, sausage or a leg of lamb.”

Doug returned to Cathcart in 2008.

“My job took me to the Middle East, to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait, until I eventually took up the position of Technical Lead Engineer in the United Arab Emirates.,” he explains.

Doug Michael pictured at home in East Kilbride with items relating to Weirs of Cathcart. Doug is an engineer who used to work at Weirs is writing a book about Glasgow’s famous Weirs of Cathcart... Photograph by Colin Mearns.24 February 2021.For

Doug Michael pictured at home in East Kilbride with items relating to Weirs of Cathcart. Doug is an engineer who used to work at Weirs is writing a book about Glasgow’s famous Weirs of Cathcart... Photograph by Colin Mearns.24 February 2021.For

“Now that I am partially retired, I thought it would be time to start putting my pen to paper, in honour of Weir’s and out of respect for the ‘guid, honest’ people who worked there.”