Back when the ironworks were built (in 1753) pig iron was at the heart of Britain’s industrial revolution and three ingredients were needed to make it. The first was limestone that was found in plentiful supply in Northern Ireland and which could be easily transported to Bonawe via Loch Etive. The second was charcoal that powered the enormous furnaces and which was found in almost unlimited quantities in the surrounding Argyll forests. The third ingredient was iron ore, and again this was easily brought to the ironworks from Cumbria thanks to the sailing routes from the west coast of England via Loch Etive.