Seaview Primary School
Architecture
Seaview Primary School
Monifieth’s Hill Street is full of fine Victorian houses built by rich industrialists.
Seaview Primary School was originally built by James Fairweather Low of the Monifieth Foundry as his family home in 1860. It was designed by Dundee architect James McLaren. It is designed on an irregular plan in the style of a Jacobean villa. Between 1860 and 1893 he built a series of homes for himself, his children and his managers on a grander and more luxurious scale than his workers enjoyed in their tenements.
Industrial espionage - origins of the Low family
James Fairweather Low’s father William Low had established the wealth of the family after his marriage to Jane Fairweather. Her father had owned the big mill at Milton at the turn of the 19th century. He had two children George, who was not interested in business, and Jane who was. Jane married William Low and on the death of James Fairweather he took over her family business and moved it into Monifieth. William Low’s own father, William, had been an industrial innovator who had constructed an improved spinning wheel at Milton. He was joined in business by William who soon diversified and became Monifieth’s first iron founder.
Entrance to Seaview Primary School
James wanted to make good spinning machinery to rival that produced in Leeds. He persuaded his artist brother in law George to perform industrial espionage. He sent him to English mills to draw the machinery. He swept the floors and spied in his breaks. His fellow workers thought him very dedicated as he never took any breaks. He drew the machinery patterns onto 10" pieces of paper which he concealed in his hat. William and Jane reputedly gave him a new hat every year in honour of his contribution to the new company.
Monifieth Foundry
William died in 1840 with a thriving business to pass onto his children. The foundry was greatly expanded by his son James Fairweather Low who was ably assisted by his brother Samuel. It included more and bigger workshops and housing for workers such as the quaintly named "Poodlie Raw".
The Foundry was described as exceptionally commodious and conveniently laid out. It was all very modern. The foundry was regularly re-tooled e.g. in 1912 and the early 1930’s. It even had own fire brigade which was lent out elsewhere when needed.
The company was world famous for jute spinning machinery which it exported all over world. Low’s also excelled at casting. It later diversified into building and bakery equipment. The company fell into decline and closed in the 1980’s.
Seaview Primary School
Seaview House was built as a comfortable home with all the period details of a Victorian home. The grounds were large and included an orchard and a tennis court. In 1928 the Low’s gifted the house to Angus County Council for use as a school. It is now better known as Seaview Primary School.
© Angus Council 1998 - 2008