Islay Woolen Mill
The Islay Woolen Mill is a former wool mill about 1.5 km east of the village of Bridgend on the Scottish Hebridean island of Islay . It is located about 100 m south of the A846 , on its section between Bridgend and Ballygrant , on the south bank of the Sorn . A single arched stone bridge leads from there over the river. On June 3, 1987, Islay Woolen Mill was added to the Scottish List of Monuments in Category A.
history
The mill was built in 1883 by W. B. Christie . Some of the included machines are likely from an earlier mill that Christie's grandfather ran when he settled on Islay in 1873. The mill is classified in the highest monument category less because of its architectural significance than because of the preserved machinery. It is one of the best preserved wool mills in Scotland, the inventory of which consists partly of the only surviving machines of its kind in the whole of the United Kingdom.
After the operation was shut down in the 20th century, there was a revival in 1981. Today, fabrics and ready-made clothing are produced there using historical machines. These can be seen in the films Forrest Gump , Braveheart , Rob Roy and In a Distant Land, among others.
description
The mill has an L-shaped floor plan and was built from quarry stone. The main building is two-story and has a converted attic. It is entered through a door on the east side and ends with a gable roof made of corrugated asbestos sheets. Originally this roof was covered with slate shingles. To the south is an elongated, one-story wing that ends with a hipped roof , which probably does not correspond to the original roof shape. It is also made of quarry stone and is partly decorated with offset ashlar stones. A little deeper is a water wheel with a diameter of about 5 m, which is used to drive the machines. An unusual chain mechanism takes over the power transmission. The drive trains for the machinery run below the ceiling. The main part of the machines is located in the main building.
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c Listed Building - Entry . In: Historic Scotland .
- ↑ a b Entry on Islay Woolen Mill in Canmore, the database of Historic Environment Scotland (English)
- ↑ Islay Woolen Mill online presence
Web links
Coordinates: 55 ° 47 '22.4 " N , 6 ° 13' 29.5" W.