Building record MAB17724 - GARLOGIE MILL

Former woollen mill, beam engine and engine house.

Former woollen mill, beam engine and engine house. The mill began with water-power as depicted on estate drawings dated 1788 and 1789, then, from circa 1830, it was driven by a gigantic beam-single-cylinder beam engine, set in a masonry engine house, with elegant Doric column at centre and 16 ft (4.88 m) flywheel. A substantial mill complex for spinning of wool was well established by 1843, owned by Alexander Hadden and Son, who used the spun yarn for their hoisiery and carpet industries in Aberdeen. By that time 120 people were employed and numerous cottages were provided for the workers together with a combined church and school. Ancillary services also included a as works for lighting the premises. The mills closed in 1904. During the 1920s the mill buildings were used as a sawmill, and subsequently for provision of a new turbine and generating plant to provide electricity for the estate (of Lord Cowdray), by installation in 1923 of an Escher-Wyss turbine driving an English Electric Company alternator. The entire hydro-electric system comprising a dam, long supply pipe, settling chamber and the flow control and tail race for the turbine as well as the turbine itself and control gear, survive to some extent. The Garlogie Woollen Mills were demolished in 1934. The beam engine and engine house survive, along with the public hall (NJ70NE0223) to the southeast. The beam engine (1835 incorporating a 1805 Boulton and Watt cast iron beam, now thought to be the oldest cast iron engine beam in existence) and engine house stood to the rear of the former rubble-built factory, being the last such engine to survive still in situ in Scotland. It was converted into the Museum of Power in 1994-5. To the north is a row of workers cottages associated with the former mill, and Garlogie House, the former factor's house built circa 1840/50. To the south is the former offices and counting house (NJ70NE0175). See NJ70NE0226 and NJ70NE0227 for mill lades, and NJ70NE0230 for school.

Period Notes
Initially a water-powered mill until circa 1830 when gigantic beam engine installed; ceased to operate 1904 and became site for water turbine 1923 which provided electricity to the grid until 1960s; surviving south wing converted to village hall 1931 and extended 1989; engine-house and turbine-hall converted to Museum of Power 1994-5.

82/65/33, 82/65/33 (Ground Photograph). SAB20204.

H74/205/12-13, H74/205/12-13 (Ground Photograph). SAB20202.

Hume, JR, 1977, Industrial Archaeology of Scotland, 116 (Bibliographic reference). SAB730.

MAGNUSSON, M, 1982, ECHOES OF STONE, 45-50 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1148.

HAY, G, 1986, MONUMENTS OF INDUSTRY, 131-5 (Bibliographic reference). SAB750.

BARR, A.D.S., 1995, GARLOGIE MILL : MACHINERY DESCRIPTION CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION, REPORT (Bibliographic reference). SAB188.

Aug 22 1976 , H76/249/5, H76/249/5 (Ground Photograph). SAB20203.

Jan 1 1993 , AAS/GR/93/CT34-35, AAS/GR/93/CT34-35 (Ground Photograph). SAB32866.

Jan 1 1998 , AB 6109-10, AB 6109-10 (Ground Photograph). SAB20201.

Jun 16 2000 , AAS/00/08/CT22-7, 31,34-9, AAS/00/08/CT22-7, 31,34-9 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB17394.

Mar 2 1995 , AAS/95/02/CT3, 11, AAS/95/02/CT3, 11 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB19594.

Mar 2 1995 , AAS/95/02/G2/9-14, AAS/95/02/G2/9-14 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB15671.

Mar 2 1995 , AAS/95/02/G3/5, AAS/95/02/G3/5 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB15674.

SDD, n.d., BLDS OF ARCH & HIST INTEREST, SKENE 29 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1827.

Nov 24 1994 , AAS/94/17-8/G35/13-30, AAS/94/17-8/G35/13-30 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB15621.

Oct 9 1988 , HZ 19-26, HZ 19-26 (Ground Photograph). SAB33579.

Record last edited

Feb 3 2023 11:54AM