Scotland branch

With the approach of war in the late 1930s a programme of expansion was instigated for the aircraft industry through the British Government's Shadow Factory scheme.

Demand for the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine led first to the establishment of such a factory at Crewe and then to the building of the major Hillington factory in Glasgow. Further expansion was to follow, both in Britain and the United States.

The Hillington factory which had been managed for the Air Ministry by Rolls-Royce from 1939 to 1947, was taken over by the company on 1 April 1947. In addition, the demands of the Korean war for Avon turbojet engines led to the building of a new factory for Rolls-Royce at East Kilbride, to the south of Glasgow. The Hillington factory became a compressor component manufacturing facility in 1965. The factory was closed at the end of 2005, and all activity transferred to the facility at Inchinnan near Glasgow Airport. The new factory was formally opened in October 2004. East Kilbride is now the largest jet engine Repair and Overhaul facility in Europe.

The Scottish Factories have a proud record of engineering achievement, including the launch of the Tayfan-jet, and it is this that the Scottish Branch records and reflects.

Historical collection and exhibits

The Scottish Branch collection, located at the Rolls-Royce East Kilbride factory, encompasses the heritage of the Company at Hillington, East Kilbride, the former satellite factories and, in the future, Inchinnan. The main display area features Merlin, Derwent, Gazelle, Dart, Avon, Spey and Tay engines, and a scale model of the Trent 800 engine. Griffon, Sea Griffon, Tyne and Gem engines are displayed in the workshop. Access to the collection is by appointment.