Forest Mill: High Mill, Dunsdale Road, Selkirk

Part of a complex of single and multi-storey mill buildings, whinstone rubble with sandstone ashlar dressings. Slate roofs. 4-pane fixed and casement windows. 4-storey and double attic, almost square-plan, 5-bay sides and 2-bay gables with dummy stacks. 6th stair bay projects at SE with narrower windows, piended roof and diminutive octagonal bellcote. External unenclosed lift cage. 3 tiers of skylights. INTERIOR: timber floors on single row of stout cast-iron columns simply supporting timber cross beams. Belt driven lift. Vertical drive shaft and bevel gears survive throughout, as does horizontal line shafting on upper floors. Double collar beam attics.

For George Roberts and Co, who pioneered cheviot cloth and, it is claimed by Bremner, were the first in the area to adopt the self-acting mule. The reputation for quality was outstanding. George Roberts and his brother Tom, both of Galashiels, visited the USA and returned with the first condensers. George became provost of Selkirk and chairman of the Selkirk-Galashiels Railway Company. Sons John and Tom Roberts pioneered the import of Australian and New Zealand wool to the Borders. Forest Mill served as the wool store, dyehouse and weaving mill for the firm. Spinning was conducted at St Ronan's Mill, Innerleithen, Philiphaugh Mill, Selkirk (from 1872), and Earlston Mill. Merged 1962 with Robert Noble of Hawick and Walter Thorburn of Peebles. Weaving mill closed 1967, and the remainder in 1973. Weaving was since been restarted by S Elliot and the remainder of the complex is used for a variety of small industrial and retail purposes. (Historic Scotland)

November 1994: Permissions are sought for the rehabilitation of the complex as residential housing. SCT and the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland object to the designs of the proposed extension block. The millhouse, tenter house, and finishing, scouring and drying houses are later demolished. 17 January 1995: The Borders Telegraph reports that permissions have been granted to Ian White Associates for the conversion of the complex into flats and industrial premises. The development will see the creation of 9 private houses, retail outlets and craft workshops. February 1997: Local planners report that the roof is currently leaking, and that the complex is now detracting from the surrounding area which forms the Selkirk Riverside Project. Scottish Borders Council is currently funding major environmental and access improvement works. October 1998: Though parts of the complex are used for a variety of small industrial and retail purposes, the High Mill has stood empty for many years and has fallen into a poor state of repair. Northern Rock Housing Association has assembled a funding package for conversion to flats. January 2000: SCT understands that Building Control have fixed netting over the roof of the High Mill to catch falling slates. December 2000: A metal bracket has been installed to secure the north west water table. November 2001: SCT understands the Buidling Control remains concerned about the condition of the buildings. January 2002: External inspection reveals no major changes to the building fabric. August 2001: The Cockburn Conservation Trust reports that the High Mill remains vacant, although the other buildings are in use as workshops or stores. The High Mill is described as derelict, with several windows missing. The Northern Rock Housing Association plans have since stalled, though Scottish Borders Enterprise has converted low-rise ancillary warehouses to the west into offices and retail units. The mill sits with several other mills running along the Ettrick Water, a number of which are being converted for modern business use by Scottish Enterprise Borders.

May 2009: External inspection reveals that the High Mill remains at risk and has deteriorated further since the last visit by SCT. Tree saplings growing from the masonry on the upper stages of the south-east elevation appear to be gradually pulling the wall apart. This could potentially be a risk to public safety.

June 2010: A member of the public contacts SCT to advise the property is understood to now be in the ownership of the Crown agent, The Office of Queen‘s and Lord Treasurer‘s Remembrancer (QLTR). Local planners confirm the building is understood to have transferred to Crown management.

April 2011: A member of the public contacts SCT to advise that the Crown has declined to accept ownership of the building. Local planners confirm.

July 2011: External inspection finds the saplings appear to have been removed and more windows boarded-up since the previous site visit.

19 November 2012: Full Planning Permission and Listed Building Consent for restoration and conversion to 16 flats and maisonettes are being sought from Scottish Borders Council ref: 12/01375/FUL & 12/01376/LBC. The application notes the property is being sought for purchase from QLTR.

18 August 2016: External inspection finds holes have opened up in the roof. Vegetation and saplings are growing through the SE elevation. Rainwater goods are chocked with vegetation. Condition moved to Very Poor.

28 August 2024: Desk-based assessment finds the building remains At-Risk.