Millhall

Image: © Kenneth Mallard Taken: 9 Sep 2009

John White established a cotton mill at Millhall Mill, previously a corn mill, on the Polnoon Water in 1822. The mill produced cotton wad for use in hospitals to bind wounds as well as spinning shuttle cord for power-looms and candle wicks. Ludovic Gavin bought the mill from John Whyte's creditors in 1837. The mill contained 620 spindles and employed 64 hands. The water wheel which was the equivalent to the power of 24 horses was located internally at the end of the mill indicated by the position of the sluices. Following Gavin's death, powerlooms were installed for weaving blankets and tweeds in an attempt to keep-up with technology however this and the carding machine that was installed at the Orry Mill http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1450337 in 1871 reduced the need for labour. In March 1851, part of the mill and a bridge downstream at Mains Farms were carried away when an embankment at Dunwan Dam burst, fortunately with no loss of life. Afterwards a weir was built across the burn. The New Statistical Account of Scotland notes that the wad produced at Millhall is 'of the most approved sort. Persons ought to be aware of that purchased in the shops with a glazed surface, strengthened by glue, as it is manufactured with arsenic to preserve it from insects, and often proves hurtful when applied to open wounds.' It appears likely that the dam and the alterations to the mill were made to convert it to a hydro-electric generating station in about 1900.

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