Document record MAB55938 - CULTER PAPER WORKS

Site of a paper mill founded in 1751, demolished in the 1980s.

Site of a paper mill founded in 1751, demolished in the 1980s. Bartholomew Smith founded the Culter Paper Mills in 1751 and it was known as one of the best-managed, most successful companies and the longest running local mill in Aberdeen. It was located in the rural location of Culter, in the hollow below the gorge of Culter Burn. On the 1st edition Ordnance Survey map the mill is shown as a small holding with a few buildings along the Burn; by 1900-3, however, the buildings had expanded and now encompassed a large area along the Burn. The mill was a forerunner of 'modern' technology of its day and in 1807 the mills had the first continuous papermaking machine in Scotland, the Fourdrinier. It was driven by a Boulton and Watt steam engine, which was also the first of its kind installed in a paper mill in Scotland. By the middle of the nineteenth century, the mill had made fifteen tons of paper per week but by 1890, they had increased production to sixty tons of paper per week. The statistical account of 1840s states that it was a large paper mill comprising 'a chaste pile of buildings in excellent repair, machinery modern…2 powerful water wheels, one placed above the other, both turned by a reservoir by a wooden aqueduct. The papers made are browns, cartridge, and all sorts of wrapping papers and employs 60 people.' In 1865, Culter Paper Mills Co. Ltd managed the mill and expansion was begun at the mill. A 200-brick chimney was installed, and two blocks of workmen's cottages were built on the Deeside turnpike road. At this time, William and George Bertram of Edinburgh and James Bertram and Sons of Leith Walk Foundry provided the paper-making machinery. Electric light was fitted in the main rooms in 1890 and in 1896 mill lighting was completely electrified and in 1897 a tramway installed between the mill and Culter station. By the twentieth century, it had expanded production and by 1950s employed over 600 people, housed on a 35-acre site. It provided the mainstay of the Culter local economy and spending power as only 100 of the people working were commuters from the city. In the late 20th century, it was part of Culter-Guardbridge Holdings. The mills were closed and demolished in 1981 and converted into estates of Barrett Houses in the same year. Before being demolished, the mill had a 'main range on an L- plan, 3 storey and attic, 16 x 27 foot bay, with two Flemish gables on the lower frontage and a tall red-brick chimney.'. One of the Flemish gables, sash and case windows, and timber beams from this site were used in the building of Strathieburn House, Durris, in 1986 (Aberdeenshire HER NO79SE0021). See also NJ80SW0243 - weir and sluice for lade to the mills.

Period Notes
Built 1751, expanded 1860s. Demolished 1981.

Author unknown, , PRESS & JOURNAL, 09/04/84 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1416.

Jul 2 1984 , 5 images, 5 images (Ground Photograph). SAB37299.

May 29 1984 , 1 image, 1 image (Ground Photograph). SAB37298.

Author unknown, n.d., EVENING EXPRESS, 06/04/1984 (Bibliographic reference). SAB446.

Record last edited

Dec 11 2025 3:17PM