THE Alloa glassworks played a starring role in a BBC television programme celebrating the history of Scotland's coast.

Last week, the second episode of Great Coastal Railway Journeys aired with host Michael Portillo travelling along the Firth of Forth and taking viewers on a journey into history.

In his Leith to Culross leg, he landed in Alloa to delve into the art of glassmaking after linking up with O-I plant manager Gordon Leckie at the Glasshouse Loan site.

In the programme Gordon explains how four components are used to make glass – limestone, soda ash, sand and cullet (recycled glass) – and states he believes it was more than 5,000 years ago when it was discovered these components could make glass.

Michael and Gordon take a tour through the factory, visiting the furnace and the cold end of the process, where the glass whisky bottles are inspected.

Gordon explains how the furnace reaches a temperature of 1,400 degrees, adding: "To put that into context, it's hotter than lava."

More than 30 years ago the bottles would have been hand inspected by an operator; however, the process is now highly automated.

Gordon then goes on to detail his family association with the factory.

He said: "My father joined the plant in 1975, as he likes to remind me. I followed on and followed on his footsteps."

Michael asks Gordon if there are other employees with a family connection, and Gordon explains how there are employees who are the third and fourth in their generation to work at the factory.

The factory, which employs 500 people, creates two million glass bottles in just 24 hours.

"Myself and the team are very proud that the plant is still here," Gordon continued. "And there's a great heritage of glass making still in Alloa after 270 years."

Reflecting on Michael's visit, Gordon told the Advertiser: “It was a great honour to host Michael Portillo and the crew from the BBC on site.

"Our team are very proud of this heritage and enjoyed the opportunity to share our experience.”

Later on in the episode Michael travels to Falkirk to visit the Kelpies.

Weighing more than 300 tonnes each, the Kelpies are 30 metres high and are the largest equine sculptures in the world.

Michael goes on to chat with Andy Scott, the man who designed the sculptures and currently lives in America.

Andy explains how the Kelpies were based on two Glasgow Clydesdale horses which visited Andy's studio.

In a previous episode Michael also visited Stirling where he learns more about the history of William Wallace and is struck by the emotional power these events retain seven centuries later.

Great Coastal Railway Journeys can be found on weeknights at 6.30pm on BBC2.

Visit tinyurl.com/mwduatuu to watch past episodes on the BBC iPlayer.