|
History - Deanston
|
|
|
Deanston is a hidden community which in a short period of time became a centre of excellence
for Industrial and mechanical practice. It was the first village in Britain to get gas.
The village grew up around the mill, erected in 1785 by the Buchanans, who were wealthy cotton and
yarn merchants. Since 1966 the mill has been a Burns Stewart distillery
|
|
| |
Industrial heritage
The name comes from Walter Drummond, Dean of Dunblane in 1500, originally called Deans Town.
Deanston Cotton Mill was built by the Buchanan brothers of Carston, near Manchester, in 1785.
In 1808 James Finlay & Co bought the mill and developed it into the industrial leader of its time.
James Smith, the manager of the mill, was a successful entrepreneur and inventor.
He built unusually designed accommodation over four levels for his workforce, called the divisions, which was new in its day.
At its peak, the mill had over 1000 workers and had the largest waterwheel in Europe, Hercules.
It also enjoyed gas lighting in 1913, some 45 years ahead of the rest of the village.
With forward thinking and a care for his workforce the mill lasted for over 180 years.
The mill closed in 1965.
The Deanston Distillery opened in 1966 and is now owned by Burns Stewart.
A primary school was built in 1891 and part still exists and is used as such today.
The Clock Tower was built in 1929 in memory of Lady Muir of Deanston who was a generous donator to Deanston.
Deanston House was the original home of the Drummonds, i.e. Walter Drummond, Dean of Dunblane.
James Smith owned the house when manager of the mill, as did the Muirs.
It has been a Private School, a Hotel and is now a nursing home.
Another famous landmark is the Teith Bridge built by Robert Spittal a Royal tailor in 1535.
The story goes that Robert Spittal had no money to pay the ferryman and was refused passage.
He later funded the building of the bridge.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Agricultural heritage
A number of private estates exist around Deanston e.g. Blair Drummond and Gartincaber.
Blair Drummond was the home of Henry Home, Lord Kames was a Law Lord and pioneer in agricultural improvements,
clearing some 1500 acres of deep moss up to fourteen feet thick.
It now owned by the Muir family and is home to Scotland's only Safari and Leisure Park.
The estate contains a stable block, clock tower; ice house and octagonal storehouse, Tudor lodges and a mill.
The Mill of Torr was designed to use water to wash the peat moss off the land and allow farming.
The present three-storied baronial house, designed by J.C. Walker and built in 1868, replaced an earlier home.
The house was sold in 1977 to a charity, the Camphill Trust.
Camphill Blair Drummond, is a community for adults with learning difficulties,
established in 1975 and guided by the principles of Rudolph Steiner.
The old Cemetery has interesting graves of famous residents.
Flanders Moss lies around Deanston. It is an exceptional ecological area being the
largest single area of raised Mire left in Britain.
It has been designated a special area for conservation and is a site of special scientific interest.
Gartincaber is the family estate of the ancient Doig family.
The Gartincaber tower is a well-known landmark, built as a dovecot for the keeper of the house it is
said to mark the centre of Scotland.
|
|
|
|
|
| History & Heritage Home |
|