The first shipyards in Greenock were small, starting in 1711 and supporting the booming herring trade. The first square rigged ship was built in 1764. By 1780 ships were also being built in Port Glasgow.

As the shipbuilding trade developed in both towns 20 sites were established that between the late 1700s and the 1980s supported 93 separate shipyard businesses. For nearly 300 years these yards constructed 10,000 vessels.

In tandem with this industry at its peak Greenock had 14 operational sugar refineries. Further to this there were huge engine works, steering gear firms, ropeworks, distilleries, potteries and mills.



Lyles Golden Syrup

Abram Lyle was born on 14th December 1820 in the seaport of Greenock. He joined father’s cooperage business and in partnership with his friend John Kerr, they developed a shipping business, making the Lyle fleet one of the largest in Greenock. Greenock was heavily involved in the sugar trade with the West Indies and their business included transporting sugar.

Together with four partners he purchased the sugar house of the defunct Greenock Sugar Refining Company in 1865, forming the Glebe Sugar Refinery Company, and so added sugar refining to his other business interests. It is here that the idea for golden syrup was created.

Together with his three sons he bought two wharves at Plaistow in East London in 1881 to construct a refinery for producing golden syrup. The brand, sold in a distinctive green and gold lidded tin with an image of a lion surrounded by bees, is believed to be Britain's oldest. The design of the tin decoration, which includes a biblical quotation, has remained almost unchanged since 1885.



Caribbean

We have carefully selected aged Caribbean rums to provide our perfect base spirit. We have infused this with Scottish Raspberries, Golden Syrup, and exotic spices. This has been blended with the finest Caledonian water.

Titan Spiced Rum retains its spiritual Caribbean DNA.