History in the making as Dawn revives jam link
Recent markets in the Wellmeadow have featured a link to the town’s manufacturing past with the sale of jams by the great-granddaughter of Mr DW Adamson, who started his jam-making business more than 100 years ago.
The present day maker of jams is Mrs Dawn Macfarlane (nee Adamson), great-granddaughter of Mr David W Adamson.
Mr Adamson, a native of Kirriemuir, expanded his ironmonger’s business interests in Blairgowrie in 1899 when he bought 30 acres of farm land in Rattray which he let to smallholders for the growing of rasps and strawberries, as well as other soft fruits.
In 1905 he opened his purpose-built jam factory at The Croft –now a car park behind Sainsbury’s – and sold Adamson’s Jam all over Scotland, with fruit and juices sent to America and Canada.
Mrs Macfarlane said family members persuaded her to revive the Adamson name in jammaking in the kitchen at The Cornerstone Deli, High Street, which she runs with her husband James.
She added: “The Adamson brand was purchased by Mackay’s in the ‘70s. I cannot use the term ‘Adamson’s Jams’ so I am selling my jams under the name of ‘D Adamson Blairgowrie’. I have established a number of new jam recipes which I don’t think my great-grandfather would have thought of.
“My great-grandfather employed more than 30 at one time but at the moment‘ D Adamson Jams Blairgowrie’ is a two-woman production unit.”