A HISTORIC foundry run for seven generations by the same family and that created the famous replica cannons at Edinburgh Castle has entered liquidation due to "increasing energy costs," with more than 40 staff losing their jobs.
Ballantine Castings, based in Bo’ness, submitted a petition to Falkirk Sherriff Court in late July so a liquidator could be appointed.
The court went on to appoint Glasgow-based accountancy firm Johnston Carmichael to manage the liquidation. The 200-year-old firm blamed an increase in energy costs for the closure.
Owned and run by the Ballantine family since the early 1820s, the iron foundry, considered to be one of Scotland's last remaining, was formally established in 1856.
Alongside the famous replica cannons at Edinburgh Castle, the firm has also played a major role in the restoration of London's Big Ben clock in 2021. The team used traditional methods of cast ironwork and create integral elements of the Elizabeth Tower, and remade more than 400 cast iron tiles for the roof.
A Johnston Carmichael spokesperson said: “The business, which specialised in supplying the architectural, engineering and construction and drainage sectors, had been increasingly reliant on support from its parent company amid increasing energy costs.
"It ceased trading shortly prior to Graeme’s appointment with the unfortunate loss of 44 jobs.
“The Provisional Liquidator has appointed Hilco Valuation Services to assist in dealing with the disposal of the company’s assets.
"The company’s trading site in Bo’ness will also be subject to a marketing and disposal process in due course.”
'A historic Scottish business with a long track record'
Appointed by the court, liquidator Graeme Bain added: “Ballantine Castings is a historic Scottish business with a long track record of supplying metalwork services to a range of largescale projects across the UK and overseas.
“Our immediate priority is to assist employees, who have been impacted by the business ceasing to trade, in making claims for sums due to them.
"We will also be working with Hilco to dispose of the company’s assets in due course and would invite interested parties to get in touch.”
