The Phoenix and Clifton Ironworks, Coatbridge, probably late 1800s

This photograph of two of Coatbridge's malleable ironworks shows just how heavily developed the canal banks were in urban areas.

The open-sided sheds by the canals probably contained rolling mills and steam hammers whereas the bulidings with lots of chimneys contained puddling furnaces where the iron was processed before being rolled and hammered.

The photograph was taken from the west side of Coatbank Street just south of the bridge over the canal. The site of the Phoenix Iron Works on the right is now a McDonald's car park and the area in the centre of the photo is now a traffic roundabout.