Ravenscraig

Former major iron and steel works in Scotland, near Motherwell and Wishaw in North Lanarkshire unitary authority. Built between 1951 and 1957, it became one of the largest integrated iron and steel works in Europe, employing over 5,000 workers. It was the only hot strip mill in Scotland. It was closed in 1992, bringing an end to steelmaking in Scotland.

The idea behind the works was that, with the establishment of a car plant at Linwood in 1963, the area would become a major industrial development and achieve self-sustaining growth. This failed, partly because related component industries were not attracted to the area. The Linwood car plant closed in 1981, further reducing local demand for steel. International competition and the British Steel Corporation's reluctance to modernize the Ravenscraig plant led to the eventual closure of the works. The original installation began on a greenfield site, and included the hot strip mill, in production in 1962, and a slabbing mill. Coal and iron ore were imported by rail. The cold reduction mill at Gartcosh near Coatbridge was associated with the complex.