William Dobbie, born about 1720, appears to have begun as a clockmaker about 1751, taking over a business established in 1739. His clocks are probably those with brass dials inscribed “WILM DOBIE” and those having his name painted on the white face thus – “WILL DOBBIE.” His date of death we have not discovered but he is noted as “deceased” in December 1783 (Smith, 112) at his daughter Eupham’s wedding to John Bowie, maltster in Edinburgh. William married Eupham Mackie, and had a son, George Dobbie I.
1975-15-1 – The case is of oak with fluted pilasters at the front corners. These are matched by Doric columns on the hood. To either side of the arch are fretted panels backed with a red fabric. The swan-neck pediment (reflected by the top of the door) is finished with brass discs with a vase finial between them. The brass dial has applied moulded brass decoration in the spandrels in the form of leaves, sea monsters and faces. The numbers are set on a broad silver coloured ring. Similar decoration occurs in the arch and bears a silver coloured disc engraved “WILM DOBIE/ FALKIRK”. Functions on this clock include date, hours, minutes and seconds.
Falkirk Local History Society 