Mark Cranston says he wants a new home for the bricks as he says he no longer has the space to keep them
The brick collection but pays homage to the UK's history of brick making(Image credit: Ian Suddaby)
Mark Cranston, a 62-year-old retired police sergeant from Jedburgh, Borders, is seeking a museum to house his unique and massive brick collection, which now numbers over 4,000.
After nearly 15 years of dedicated collecting, Cranston’s passion has turned his garden shed into a brick archive, with shelves stacked six meters long by three meters wide.
His collection, which he calls “a library of industrial history,” features numerous types of bricks from across Scotland, England, Wales and even as far afield as the United States.
What type of bricks are included in the collection?
Mr Cranston's collection dates back to bricks from 1833(Image credit: Ian Suddaby)
Cranston’s collection highlights the diversity of reclaimed bricks used throughout the UK, from the standard red clay bricks commonly seen in residential construction to uniquely marked or coloured bricks that were popular in various regions.
Among them is a fire brick from the SS Politician, a cargo ship that famously ran aground in the Hebrides in 1941, inspiring the novel Whisky Galore as it carried 264,000 bottles of malt whisky.
There’s also a brick from the execution block at Glasgow’s HMP Barlinnie prison before its demolition in the late ‘90s, and a Scottish-made brick recovered from a gold mine in Washington state. His oldest piece is a drainage tile dating back to 1833.
“These bricks come from all walks of life,” Cranston explained. “Some were used in modest homes, others in grander buildings. Each one tells a different story, whether it’s a brick that built a home or one that withstood the heat of a factory furnace.”
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Why did he start collecting bricks?
Mr Cranston also collected roof tiles as part of his hobby(Image credit: Ian Suddaby)
Mr Cranston said he started his massive collection after finding one unusual brick, Whitehill brick, manufactured in Edinburgh, which peaked his interest.
“I never expected it would grow to this,” said Mr Cranston. “It all started as a bit of fun when I was looking for a doorstop for my shed. But once I found a painted brick from a local colliery, I was fascinated by its history, and it all just grew from there."
Mr Cranston explained. “It’s not just about collecting; it’s about preserving a piece of the industrial past that’s disappearing. These bricks aren’t made anymore, and they tell the story of the Industrial Revolution—of chimneys, stoves, and the old buildings where they once served.”
'It would be ideal to have a museum where these bricks are all on display'
Mr Cranston says he no longer has the space to keep all the bricks(Image credit: Ian Suddaby)
Despite spending years amassing his collection Mr Cranston now hopes to give them to a museum for them to go on display.
Mr Cranston said that the collection has outgrown his home and now needs a larger space but that he wants others to enjoy them. He said: “It’s a story that needs to be told. Each brick has a unique character, and it would be selfish to keep them just for myself when there’s so much history to share.”
Beyond the bricks themselves, Cranston envisions a display that includes antique brick-making tools and other items tied to brick production. He’s not alone in his unusual hobby, either. Together with his friend Ian Suddaby, another brick enthusiast, Cranston’s collection grows to 6,000 bricks.
While Cranston remains passionate, he admits he’ll miss his beloved collection if he finds a museum to take it on. “I’m always cleaning or rearranging them,” he said. “It’s amazing how much interest this generates; I never thought it would inspire others, but since I started, I’ve met so many people who are also collecting.”
For now, Cranston’s collection rests in his extended garden shed, but he remains hopeful that a museum or historical society will take an interest. “These bricks are pieces of history,” he said. “They’ve already outlasted generations. I just want them to find a home where others can appreciate their story.”
Man with Britain's biggest brick collection looks for a museum to house all 4,000 | SWNS - YouTube
News Editor Joseph has previously written for Today’s Media and Chambers & Partners, focusing on news for conveyancers and industry professionals. Joseph has just started his own self build project, building his own home on his family’s farm with planning permission for a timber frame, three-bedroom house in a one-acre field. The foundation work has already begun and he hopes to have the home built in the next year. Prior to this he renovated his family's home as well as doing several DIY projects, including installing a shower, building sheds, and livestock fences and shelters for the farm’s animals. Outside of homebuilding, Joseph loves rugby and has written for Rugby World, the world’s largest rugby magazine.
