John Moncrieff

John Moncrieff Ltd, which was founded in 1865, holds a long history! Originally based in Perth it was known to locals as the John Moncrieff North British Glassworks. Initially specialising in the production of heat resistant engineering and laboratory glass the company earned a reputation throughout the world for the quality of their glass tubes used for steam gauges. During the First World War, John Moncrieff Ltd was approached by the government to develop laboratory glassware, from this Moncrieff developed Monax glass. To cope with the increasing demand, the company constructed three new furnaces at the St. Catherine’s Road site (now St. Catherine’s Retail Park). However, perhaps their biggest legacy is undoubtedly Monart Glass which started production in the 1920’s. The glassware was the creation of John Moncrieff’s wife, Isobel, and Salvadore Ysart, a Spanish glassblower who had been hired by Moncrieff’s in 1922 to make laboratory glass, with his son Paul as apprentice. The Ysart family left a momentous legacy within the Scottish art glass industry with the production of Monart glassware ceasing when Paul Ysart left Moncrieff’s in 1963 to join Caithness Glass. The Perth factory closed in January 1996 with current owner, Scott Gilmore, buying the company and relocating the factory to smaller premises in Kinross. Since this time, Mr Gilmore, has continued to investment in the business while holding onto its rich heritage. In the new premises part of the reception area has given over to telling the rich history of the business, commemorating the history of the company and the glassware produced throughout the 150 years of trading.