Toblerone, Victory Vs, and Butterscotch are among the remnants of Dundee’s forgotten sweetie history which now lies derelict.
On Monday night Dundee’s confectionary heritage was targeted by suspected fire-raisers and firefighters spent an hour tackling the blaze at the former Mains Loan factory.
Now partially demolished, only a few buildings remain of what was the bakery, preserves and sweet factory as well as the little known Toblerone factory.
Derek Shaw, former boss at the Keiller factory, said he had fond memories of the business and those who worked there.
He said: “The factory was built after the war to produce preserves, and it was known as the ‘Jammy’.
“The other half of the factory was for making Toblerone products.
“A lot of people don’t know that Toblerone used to be made in Dundee.”
Formerly based in the Keiller’s Centre, the factory moved to Mains Loan from Albert Square in the 70s.
Mr Shaw came on the scene in 1981 as works director and said for a time the factory was one of the most automated factories in the world.
The factory which bore the name of Dundee’s famous Keiller family, produced preserves, boiled sweets, butterscotch, Humbugs, fruit chews, Cherry Lips, Midget Gems and Hacks, as well as many more before it closed.
Mr Shaw left the factory in 1989 to start his own venture, and the factory ultimately closed in the early 1990s.
He added: “It’s been shut for a long time. It’s heart-breaking to think about all the people who used to work there.
“I have great memories.
“We used to brag that we supplied every country in the world except Russia as this was during the Iron Curtain days.”
Police said they have been made aware of the incident at Mains Loan and officers are investigating.
A spokeswoman said inquiries were continuing and they did not at present know the cause of the fire.
Anyone with information is being asked to contact police on 101 or the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 111 555.