I've wanted to see this place for as long as I can remember. My attempt at getting there was thwarted by the ash cloud of 2009 and amazingly it's taken me 8 years to finally get here!
The mill is a vast complex, which claimed to be the largest thread mill in the world. I'd parallel the mills to Aberdeen's Broadford works, in that it is just as vast in both size and architectural styles and eras. It also mirrors Broadford in that it has steadily fallen into dereliction over the past decade, and the mill I found was not the mill I had seen pictures of in the mid 2000's. Over the past ten year fire and natural decay has taken it's toll, and the rows of machinery that could be seen back then have all long since been removed. Nature is really taking the place back now and the weaving sheds are alive with greenery. Despite all this destruction and decay, I always appreciate a mill that fell into disuse straight after textile production, rather than finding other uses afterwards. There is still plenty of textile related tat to rake through, if you know what you are looking for...
Despite all this I was overall very impressed, both with the mill's size and features. Tiled engine hall, stone carvings of beasts, endless spinning floors and the standard nooks and crannies that these places are filled with was enough to quench my thirst for linen industry exploring on this trip.
In all honesty I could have spent all day here, but the ladies were tiring of "fetid boring mills" (despite the fact we had more to come
) and the weather was really not on our side, literally unrelenting heavy rain for our entire time here! Due to this my photos really don't do the place justice, but I fear if I ever do get the chance to return there will be even less left to see...
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