Documents

There are no additional online documents for this record.

Summary

Description

1885. Mill complex with later additions, situated on the outskirts of Galashiels adjacent to Edinburgh Road. Consisting of an 8-bay main mill block with a 10 bay addition, boiler and engine house and long range to SW along Buckholm Mill Brae including former scouring shed, gate lodge and storage sheds.

Predominantly whin rubble with sandstone ashlar and brick dressings, tie plates for trussed or compound beams. Later brick buildings.

SPINNING MILL: 3-storey and attic 8 by 2 bay. Regular fenestration of segmental-headed windows. Piended M-roof (dormers for headstocks added 1920-21). 10-bay irregular-plan multi-roofed brick extension of c1920 to the NW. 2 parallel buildings adjoining to SE gable: 2-storey gabled boiler and engine block with arched ground floor openings and single-storey former scouring shed with curved iron roof.

GATE LODGE: dated 1890. Wedge-plan 2-storey block. Curved 2-bay elevation to S. Irregular fenestration to NW and NE Elevation.

SOUTHWEST RANGE: single-storey corrugated iron former waste house and assorted storage (access not gained, 2005).

INTERIORS: access to the courtyard and the interiors of the buildings was not possible at the time of the resurvey (2005). In 1990 3 rows of cast-iron columns spigot through trussed timber cross-beams in 1885 mill, steel frame in 1920 extension. Wire mesh floor in cast-iron grid, like a kiln in the boiler house.

RAILINGS: wrought iron railings to Edinburgh road.

Statement of Special Interest

Bristol Mill is among the best surviving mills in Galashiels, consisting of a considerable complex of industrial buildings of different dates illustrating the development of manufacturing over time and situated on a highly prominent site at the entrance to the town, acting as an introduction to the character of the town.

The importance of the wool manufacturing trade to Galashiels can not be overestimated, as this industry was the sole reason for its expansion and prosperity in the 19th century. Wool manufacture has largely subsided, but the remaining buildings are important monuments to the industry.

Bristol Spinning Mill was erected in 1885 by Roberts, Dobson and Company. In 1895 it became the property of William Roberts and was used to supply yarn to Victoria Mill until 1905. In 1921 the mill was taken over by Wright and Jobson, who built the large extension on the NW end of the mill, re-equipping it with mules still in use until the mill closed in c1998 and the machinery was removed. The machine layouts are held in the National archives of Scotland, West Register House.

Although there were water-powered fulling mills in Galashiels by the 16th century, the modern Textile Industry began in the 18th century. At this time, however, Galashiels had a relatively minor part in the Borders textile industry, although the establishment of the manufacturers corporation in 1777 was to play an important role. Through the 19th century the industry expanded rapidly. The arrival of the railway in 1849 allowed for easy access to raw materials and coal, which facilitated the increased use of steam power by the 1860s. The late 1860s and early 1870s were the peak of prosperity for Galashiels, which benefited greatly from a number of foreign conflicts. By this time there were over 20 large-scale producers of cloth, as well as a number of allied industries. However, Galashiels had an over-reliance on foreign trade, which led to the slow decline of the industry through the late 19th and early 20th century.

References

Bibliography

About Listed Buildings

Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating sites and places at the national level. These designations are Scheduled monuments, Listed buildings, Inventory of gardens and designed landscapes and Inventory of historic battlefields.

We make recommendations to the Scottish Government about historic marine protected areas, and the Scottish Ministers decide whether to designate.

Listing is the process that identifies, designates and provides statutory protection for buildings of special architectural or historic interest as set out in the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997.

We list buildings which are found to be of special architectural or historic interest using the selection guidance published in Designation Policy and Selection Guidance (2019)

Listed building records provide an indication of the special architectural or historic interest of the listed building which has been identified by its statutory address. The description and additional information provided are supplementary and have no legal weight.

These records are not definitive historical accounts or a complete description of the building(s). If part of a building is not described it does not mean it is not listed. The format of the listed building record has changed over time. Earlier records may be brief and some information will not have been recorded.

The legal part of the listing is the address/name of site which is known as the statutory address. Other than the name or address of a listed building, further details are provided for information purposes only. Historic Environment Scotland does not accept any liability for any loss or damage suffered as a consequence of inaccuracies in the information provided. Addresses and building names may have changed since the date of listing. Even if a number or name is missing from a listing address it will still be listed. Listing covers both the exterior and the interior and any object or structure fixed to the building. Listing also applies to buildings or structures not physically attached but which are part of the curtilage (or land) of the listed building as long as they were erected before 1 July 1948.

While Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating listed buildings, the planning authority is responsible for determining what is covered by the listing, including what is listed through curtilage. However, for listed buildings designated or for listings amended from 1 October 2015, legal exclusions to the listing may apply.

If part of a building is not listed, it will say that it is excluded in the statutory address and in the statement of special interest in the listed building record. The statement will use the word 'excluding' and quote the relevant section of the 1997 Act. Some earlier listed building records may use the word 'excluding', but if the Act is not quoted, the record has not been revised to reflect subsequent legislation.

Listed building consent is required for changes to a listed building which affect its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest. The relevant planning authority is the point of contact for applications for listed building consent.

Find out more about listing and our other designations at www.historicenvironment.scot/advice-and-support. You can contact us on 0131 668 8914 or at designations@hes.scot.