Stanley Mills, Stanley (Perthshire)

Water powered cotton mill.

Summary 17th century buildings Gift shop Learning facilities

Food and Drinks Picnic area

Introduction

Stanley Mills is a unique complex of water-powered cotton mills situated on a majestic bend in the River Tay. Founded over 200 years ago, the last commercial operations ended as recently as 1989. The state of the art visitor centre has fantastic interactive displays to help reveal the story of this extraordinary place from Scotland’s industrial past.

Open all year, Apr-Sep, daily 9.30-5.30; Oct-Mar, daily 9.30-4.30. Closed 25-26 Dec & 1-2 Jan.

History to the present day

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.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.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.

Other facilities

Wheelchair access throughout the visitor centre.

Arrival information and how to find us

Address: Stanley Mills, Perthshire, , United Kingdom

Address: Stanley Mills, Stanley, Perthshire, PH1 4QE.

Directions: Stanley Mills is situated seven miles north of Perth, off the A9.