Visit to Knockando Woolmill

Wednesday, 9th September: 2pm

Twenty five members enjoyed a beautiful sunny afternoon at Knockando Woolmill. We split into three groups; each group had the opportunity to hear about the social history of the Mill, to explore the original carding, spinning and weaving sheds, and to look at the displays in the cafe and the shop.

Knockando Woolmill, first listed in parish records in 1784, has existed on this site for over 240 years, and has been producing cloth almost continuously since then. It was always a family business – started by Willliam and Anne Grant in 1784; rented by Simon Fraser in 1845; and taken over by Alexander Smith in 1863, who introduced the waterwheel and new machinery. During World War I, the Mill kept going by supplying blankets for the military. Duncan Stewart, a nephew of of James Smith, joined the company in 1930, and when his uncle died in 1938 he took over the running of the business. It survived flood damage in 1945, but the waterwheel fell into disuse. In 1970. Hugh Jones was on holiday in the area, visited the Mill and never left. Duncan taught him the skills of weaving and in 1976 he bought the Mill and ran it for almost 30 years. In 2000, the Knockando Woolmill Trust was founded to secure the future of the site, and Hugh gave the Mill to the Trust. After years of planning, fund raising and renovation, the mill,was reopened in in 2012 by Prince Charles and became fully functional and open to visitors in 2014.

Many thanks to Emily for organising our visit and to our excellent guides Amanda and August who explained the history of the Mill and the processes involved in weaving cloth from fleece to fabric. More information on the website: www. kwc.co.uk