Pig Industry Development Station

Ordnance Survey maps represent a valuable resource in establishing time lines of development in any area. The Ordnance Survey map of 1960 shows, in the very northernmost portion of Cornton what is labelled as “Pig industry Development Station”. This facility existed here until 1983 when it was decommissioned and the property sold to Forth Electrical Services.

This is not shown in the 1958 map. It would appear that a development of two Semi-detached and one detached block of residential accommodation has been included alongside giving the impression that the housing is for the employees of the Station.

This following photograph professes to date it as 1958 which pretty well ties down the origin of the building.

At the beginning of the 21st Century the residents of the newly redeveloped site sought, successfully, to have the area recognised by the Post Office as “Bridge of Allan”.

In reply to an enquiry on the “Old Stirling” facebook page: –

Sandy Jamieson said: –

Following the 1967 Foot & Mouth Outbreak while mainly in Wales and the Marcher counties, the Ministry of Agriculture & the Scottish & Welsh offices did a lot of research on the affected species. I think under the control of Leahurst (Liverpool Uni) and the Institute of Animal Health at Pirbright. Likely this was one of three or four Pig Research stations It also helped that Stirling was within an hour’s travelling distance of the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow which had vibrant Veterinary faculties

Neil Mclaren replied: –

I was an apprentice electrician for FES when they bought this property in 1983

Norrie Greig replied: –

I was an apprentice sparkie turning the old piggery into FES office and stores.

So it would appear that the property was in use as an Electrician’s workshop prior to its demolition and development by Ogilvie Homes.

John Cunningham replied: –

Its address was MLC, Pig Testing Station, Cornton Rd, Stirling all the time I lived there. The houses built on it are now addressed as BofA, the residents managed to get it changed late 90’s early 2000’s.

The Pig Progeny Testing Station was owned and operated by the Meat and Livestock Commission. After Ogilvie built houses on it in the 1990’s the residents of the development managed to get the address changed from Cornton to BofA.

And many thanks to John for the photograph of the Station itself.