Archaeology Notes

Event ID 814431

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/814431

NT42NE 48 centred 47168 29288

In 1819 James and Henry Brown, sons of William Henry (the 'Baron'), started business, on their own account in Galashiels. In 1835 they moved to Selkirk where they erected the original portion of Ettrick Mill. In recognition of the benefit they had conferred on the burgh of Selkirk, brothers James and Henry were presented with the freedom of the burgh of Selkirk.

Information taken from Hall, 1898.

Messrs J and H Brown were the first in Selkirk to introduce the new and improved condensers.

D Bremner 1969.

Dating from 1836 and 1850, Ettrick Mill is the most imposing factory building in Selkirk. The symmetrical range has a central gabled pediment, with palladian windows and a clock. The supporting blocks are completed with projecting gabled wings.

Information from J Butt, 1969.

(Location cited as NT 473 293). Ettrick Mill: built 1836-50 (main block) and later. A large group with two principal blocks and weaving sheds.

The older and finer of the main buildings is a 5-storey, 27-bay structure, with 8-bay wings at each end. The central three bays of the frontage are gables, the middle bay having Palladian windows.

The other [building] is a 4- by 11-bay building with a projecting machicolated tower.

The single-storey engine house has a cast-iron roof tank, and the boiler house is served by a tall octagonal brick chimney.

There are interesting 8-, 4- and 8-bay blocks of weaving sheds, with the gable walls extended almost to the apex of the gables.

J R Hume 1976.

The origins of Ettrick Mill can be attributed to the firm of Messrs. James and Henry Brown, who in 1835, started their operations. The mill was subsequently doubled in 1850. Following the death of Mr James Brown in 1852, his sons in 1859 returned to Galashiels where they established a prosperous mill at Buckhom Mill (NT43NE 72). Mr Henry Brown continued on at Ettrick mill. Following his death in 1860, the firm was carried on by his sons until 1883. The firm was awarded a medal at the first Great Exhibition of 1851 and also in various other exhibitions in Europe, America and India.

Motive power came from 3 water wheels, which were supplemented by powerful steam engines capable of working up to 400 hp.

In 1901 the Scottish Co-operative Society became the new owners and used their new capital investment to supply their own needs.

The mill was later rented to DK Colledge of Yarrow Mill in 1949. Working on a commission basis, they produced spun carpet yarns for a west of Scotland manufacturer right up until 1960, when Colledge purchased the mill. Colledge died in 1962. In March 1972 his sons William and James took over the running of the yarn spinning business. In 1980 the work of Ettrick and Yarrow Spinners was transferred to Ettrick Mill where it continued until 1998, when it was forced to close.

Information taken from 'The Little Guide to Selkirk Mills', c. 2000.

During March 1999, RCAHMS in order to enhance and augment the holdings of the National Monuments Record conducted a photographic survey of Ettrick Mill. At the time of this survey Ettrick Mill was largely disused and standing empty.

Visited by RCAHMS (MKO), March 1999.

Ettrick Mill, since 1997, has been in the hands of the Galashiels based Scottish Border Enterprise Council. They have made the main handsome structure both wind and water tight. They are now, during winter 2000/2001, in the process of finding likely tenants to occupy portions of the mill. There have also been suggestions/rumours that the Scottish Border Council Library Headquarters may occupy a portion of this mill.

Information from RCAHMS (DHR), January 2001.