Document record MAB62089 - MILLS OF INCHMARLO

Site of a wood turning mill depicted on the OS 1st edition map, which shows a group of at least four buildings, the westernmost two fed by a mill lade from the northwest.

Site of a wood turning mill depicted on the OS 1st edition map, which shows a group of at least four buildings, the westernmost two fed by a mill lade from the northwest. There had been some alterations and additions by the time of the 2nd edition map. Documentary research carried out by J Gilliatt records that these mills were originally a meal mill, but by 1848 (possibly earlier) they were being used as a sawmill and turning mill. During the mid 19th century they were operated by James and John L Brebner. By 1881 James Brebner (with his son as a junior partner) was employing '37 men and 5 boys', and the following year the business at the Mills of Inchmarlo was advertised as making 'rove, winding, twisting and spinning bobbins, weft pirns, jenny pims and all classes of bobbins required in the manufacture of flax, jute and wool - machine-made and guaranteed correct.' The main market was probably the Dundee jute industry. At the end of the 1880s the Brebners moved their business to Aberdeen. The Mills of Inchmarlo remained in use until about 1925, although it is not clear whether it was still used for turning, or simply a saw millers and wood merchants, By 1930 the mills were listed as ruinous in the valuation roll.

GILLIATT, J, 2018, BOBBIN MILLS IN THE NORTH OF SCOTLAND (Bibliographic reference). SAB4244.

Record last edited

Oct 22 2021 3:11PM