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Forest Mill: Low Mill, Dunsdale Road, Selkirk
Ordnance Survey licence number AC0000807262. All rights reserved. © Copyright and database right 2025. Public Sector Viewing Terms
Useful Links
- Canmore:
- SELKIRK, STATION ROAD, FOREST MILL
- Historic Scotland:
- HS Reference No 40580
General Details and Location
Category
AT RISK
Name of Building
Forest Mill: Low Mill
Other Name(s)
Forest Mill: Extension of Hand-loom & Pattern Weaving Shop (Former)
Address
Dunsdale Road, Selkirk
Locality
Postcode
Planning Authority
Divisional Area
Reference No
3921
Listing Category
B
OS Grid Ref
NT 46720 28792
Location Type
Urban
HS Reference No
40580
Description
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. EXTENSION TO N-E OF HAND-LOOM & PATTERN WEAVING SHOP: 3-storey reinforced concrete framed extension added to right angles, 1927, adjacent to dyehouse.
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 Environment Scotland)
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 Environment Scotland)
Building Dates
1927
Architects
Unknown
Category of Risk and Development History
Condition
Poor
Category of Risk
Moderate
Exemptions to State of Risk
Field Visits
01/11/1997, 01/02/2002, 01/01/2004, 01/05/2009, 14/07/2011, 18/8/2016
Development History
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 building is vacant. Many of the windows contain broken panes.
July 2011: External inspection finds no significant change from the previous site visit.
18 August 2016: External inspection finds the block remains in much the same condition as seen previously albeit subject to slow general deterioration. Dampness to walls is increasing and birds are entering the building through broken windows.
Guides to Development
Conservation Area
Planning Authority Contact
PAC Telephone Number
Availability
Current Availability
Unknown
Appointed Agents
Price
Occupancy
Vacant
Occupancy Type
N/A
Present/Former Uses
Name of Owners
Unverified see FAQ on ascertaining ownership
Type of Ownership
Unknown
Information Services
Additional Contacts/Information Source
Bibliography
Aimers McLean Collection, Borders Regional Archive. J M Gilbert (ed) FLOWER OF THE FOREST- SELKIRK: A NEW HISTORY (1985). Bremner INDUSTRIES OF SCOTLAND (1869). Strang, C. 'Borders and Berwick', 1994, p.205.
Online Resources
Classification
Textile Industries
Original Entry Date
07-MAY-09
Date of Last Edit
10/02/2017