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This beautifully managed site explains the history and working of the most complete charcoal-fired furnace in the British Isles. It was founded by the Newland Company in Cumbria who, because of a shortage of charcoal there, found a good source of wood for making charcoal in Argyll and chose to establish a furnace at Bonawe, rather than transport it the 300 miles to Cumbria. The Bonawe Furnace was established in 1753 and continued working until 1876, when it succumbed to more efficient competition. There was no forge, so most of its output went to the company's base in Furness, with surplus going elsewhere. The only finished product to go from Bonawe was cannonballs.

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