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The village of Furnace in Argyll lies on the shores of Loch Fyne. Furnace takes it’s name from the old Craleckan Iron Furnace which was completed in 1775 by the Duddon Company of Cumbria. The iron furnace took advantage of Argyll's plentiful supplies of charcoal, the Leacainn Burn’s power the proximity of sea transport and the willingness of the local population.
Today you can still see the well-preserved furnace stack which contained huge timber-lined bellows powered by a water wheel. The high-quality masonry is of local granite, though you can see some green Lake District slate. The well preserved central hearth is made of red, probably English, sandstone. The main furnace building is still worth visiting as it still has the imposing facade of a working furnace.
In Victorian times charcoal production in Argyll & Bute finally gave way to coal and the steam engine. As a result the furnace eventually had to close in 1813.
The building is now managed by Historic Scotland and stills stand as a monument to the village's local industrial past. The furnace is located directly opposite the cottage. Have a closer look at the quality of the stone masonry.
The furnace is of significant historical importance not only to Argyll & Bute but the nation as a whole. A a great deal of public money has already been invested in the Bonawe Furnace in Argyll, so the old furnace remains a hidden jewel.
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