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Millhall

Millhall was built on the Polnoon Water in 1822 by John White. 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 White's creditors in 1837. The mill contained 620 spindles and employed 64 hands. The waterwheel was equivalent to the power of twenty-four horses. 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 Old Mill Link in 1871 reduced the need for labour. In 1852 the dam back and a part of the mill were carried away when Dunwan Dam burst. 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.'