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Summary

Description

The main Pitalpin Works mill building was largely demolished in 2017, leaving only some fragmentary remains.

Dating from 1829, it comprised a large two-storey flax and jute spinning mill, formerly consisting principally of an 11-bay spinning hall with a three-bay gable to Pitalpin Street, and an abutting five-bay gabled range projecting to the north. There were further adjoining ranges north of the main spinning hall, lower in height and with northlight roof windows, which formed a broadly rectangular-plan footprint of the main mill buildings. Additional ancillary buildings surrounded the main mill to the east and west. The buildings were generally of rubble construction with some ashlar dressings, slated roofs and cast iron columns and beams.

A number of ancillary features of the former mill complex do survive within the context of the wider site, including a former jute warehouse (converted into apartments in recent years), cobbled setts, workers houses, stables and boundary walls and gate piers. Pitalpin House (separately listed at Category B: LB25460) is located to the immediate south-west of the main mill site. The extentisve garden of the house is divided from the works by a fine boundary wall with a gateway of imposing pyramidally-coped gatepiers allowing easy access from one side to the other.

Historical Background:

The Pitalpin Works was established as a flax spinning mill in 1829 by James Donald & Son, who also built and occupied the neighbouring Pitalpin House (listed category B, LB25460). Although the Donald family ceased to operate the Pitalpin Mill by 1869, they later became prominent manufacturers of interior fabrics well into the 1960s.

Pitalpin House and the Pitalpin Works latterly passed through other ownership, before finally closing in 1988. Throughout this time, manufacture changed from flax to jute and then rayon.

Pitalpin Works is identified on the First Edition Ordnance Survey map for Forfarshire (surveyed 1859, published ca.1860). The Dundee Town Plan (surveyed 1872) shows the layout of the mill consisting of two principal east-west ranges containing the weaving rooms and preparing rooms, linked at the west end by the boiler house and engine room, and surrounded by additional warehouse, workshop and office buildings. Additional ancillary structures were built over the course of the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries, but the footprint of the mill remained largely the same until its closure in 1988.

Following a fire in 1990, parts of the mill and its outbuildings were demolished, including most of the north weaving range. The remaining portions of the mill buildings were largely demolished in 2017.

Statement of Special Interest

The statement of special interest was previously updated in 2008 and noted:

"The Pitalpin Works is a rare survivor of the once numerous mill buildings which contributed significantly to Dundee's industrial heritage. The remaining buildings are critically sited around the junction of Pitalpin Street and Donald's Lane, with unusually narrow cobbled streets which form an integral part of the complex. The flax mill was built for James Donald who lived at Pitalpin House which overlooks the south elevation of the main mill building. The fine boundary wall which divides the extensive garden of the house from the works has a gateway with imposing pyramidally-coped gatepiers allowing easy access from one side to the other. Pitalpin subsequently moved into the ownership of A A Milne, Spalding and Valentine, and finally of William Halley and Sons. Throughout this time, manufacture changed from flax to jute and then rayon, and the works finally closed in 1988. A variety of buildings which constituted necessary elements of the mill complex have been demolished. These include single storey weaving sheds, offices and mechanics shop. The original listing, dating from 1987, mentions 'the hackling room with 2 hackling holes -the only remaining examples in Dundee'.”

The description, historical background and reference sections were revised in 2025.

References

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