Stanley Mills - 5

They built machines to last in the old days!



Initially, the mills thrived. The East Mill was added to process flax, but it was gutted by fire in 1799. Because of this, and a slump caused by war in France, Stanley Mills closed down.

The mills were bought in 1801 by James Craig, with financial support from David Dale, the founder of New Lanark mills. However, the business failed again and the mills closed in 1813.

In 1823, the mills were bought and reopened by Buchanan & Co of Glasgow. They enlarged the East Mill and built the Mid Mill, the gas works and, in Stanley village, a church and new housing. The company flourished for 30 years. In 1848, the owner, George Buchanan, helped establish a rail link to Stanley. This greatly eased the transportation of raw cotton from Glasgow. Buchanan sold the mills in 1852.

The next owner was Samuel Howard, who closed the mills during the Cotton Famine of the 1860s, causing mass unemployment.

Stanley Mills - 4

Please click on the photo for a clear view.



By the late 18th century, Perthshire had a well established textile industry. Linen was produced from locally grown flax, using water-powered machinery.

Around this time, British merchants began importing cotton, which could be spun into warm and strong textiles. In northern England, water-driven machines were being installed in large factories to process the ‘new’ fibre.

By 1785, a group of Perth merchants were eager to establish a cotton industry on the Tay. They persuaded the English textile baron Richard Arkwright to invest his money and expertise.

Stanley Mills - 3

Stanley Mills is one the best-preserved relics of the 18th-century Industrial Revolution. It was established as a cotton mill by local merchants, with support from the English cotton baron Richard Arkwright. Textiles were produced here for 200 years.

The mills were built in 1786 at a hairpin bend in the River Tay, where tremendous water-power was available. Machinery was powered initially by water wheels, and latterly by electricity generated by water-powered turbines. As the market changed and new technologies developed, buildings were added, adapted, expanded, shut down, reopened and demolished.

It is now possible to explore the buildings and discover the many changes that took place over two centuries.

Stanley Mills - 2

Working at Stanley Mills is no picnic! Expect 12 hour shifts, 6 days a week. You must learn to 'offer it up'!



Teach me, my God and King,
in all things thee to see,
and what I do in anything
to do it as for thee.

A man that looks on glass,
on it may stay his eye;
or if he pleaseth, through it pass,
and then the heaven espy.

All may of thee partake;
nothing can be so mean,
which with this tincture, "for thy sake,"
will not grow bright and clean.

A servant with this clause
makes drudgery divine:
who sweeps a room, as for thy laws,
makes that and the action fine.

This is the famous stone
that turneth all to gold;
for that which God doth touch and own
cannot for less be told.

Now, get back to work!

Stanley Mills - 1

I hope you were not late - you have to clock on at 6.00 am sharp! Of course, at this time of year the Mill will still be in darkness as you walk down the road from your humble lodging.



Work is sweet, for God has blest
honest work with quiet rest;
rest below and rest above,
in the mansions of his love,
when the work of life is done,
when the battle's fought and won.

Work ye, then, while yet 'tis day,
work, ye Christians, while ye may;
work for all that's great and good,
working for your daily food,
working whilst the golden hours,
health and strength and youth are yours.

Working not alone for gold,
not for work that's bought and sold;
not the work that worketh strife,
but the working of a life;
careless both of good or ill,
if ye can but do his will.

Working ere the day is gone,
working till your work is done;
not as traffickers at marts,
but as fitteth honest hearts;
working till your spirits rest
with the spirits of the blest.

Yes, don't expect much pay at the end of the week!

All Souls' Day

There are many graves within the ruined walls of Dunkeld Cathedral. Today we pray for the repose of the souls of all the faithful departed who are not yet in heaven - that soon we will rejoice with them on All Saints' Day.



Light’s abode, celestial Salem,
Vision whence true peace doth spring,
Brighter than the heart can fancy,
Mansion of the highest King;
O how glorious are the praises
Which of thee the prophets sing!

There for ever and for ever
Alleluia is outpoured
For unending and unbroken
Is the feast day of the Lord;
All is pure and all is holy
That within thy walls is stored.

There no cloud nor passing vapor
Dims the brightness of the air;
Endless noonday, glorious noonday,
From the Sun of suns is there;
There no night brings rest from labour,
For unknown are toil and care.

O how glorious and resplendent,
Fragile body, shalt thou be,
When endued with so much beauty,
Full of health, and strong, and free,
Full of vigour, full of pleasure
That shall last eternally!

Now with gladness, now with courage,
Bear the burden on thee laid,
That hereafter these thy labours
May with endless gifts be paid,
And in everlasting glory
Thou with brightness be arrayed.

Laud and honour to the Father,
Laud and honour to the Son,
Laud and honour to the Spirit,
Ever Three, and ever One,
Consubstantial, Co-eternal,
While unending ages run.

Well, tomorrow we are off to our labours - we are visiting Stanley Mills on the banks of the River Tay, just north of Perth.

All Saints' Day

Today, as we celebrate the glorious autumnal festival of All Saints', we have a restful scene of the banks of the River Tay at Dunkeld.



Shall we gather at the river,
Where bright angel feet have trod,
With its crystal tide forever
Flowing by the throne of God?

Refrain

Yes, we’ll gather at the river,
The beautiful, the beautiful river;
Gather with the saints at the river
That flows by the throne of God.

On the margin of the river,
Washing up its silver spray,
We will talk and worship ever,
All the happy golden day.

Refrain

Ere we reach the shining river,
Lay we every burden down;
Grace our spirits will deliver,
And provide a robe and crown.

Refrain

At the smiling of the river,
Mirror of the Saviour’s face,
Saints, whom death will never sever,
Lift their songs of saving grace.

Refrain

Soon we’ll reach the silver river,
Soon our pilgrimage will cease;
Soon our happy hearts will quiver
With the melody of peace.

Refrain

Lovely words and a lovely tune!

Happy Festival!