At Wednesday’s Howe o’ the Mearns Heritage Club meeting Ronald Baird of Newtonmill, Stracathro, told the members about the four mills built on the lane which runs by his home.

His researches had centred on a flax mill and the various waterdriven processes introduced in the 18th century to reduce the level of manual labour required and to improve the quality of linen for a more demanding market.

Mike Robson followed Ronald with a reminder of the scene in Laurencekirk with its weaving shops, spinning mill at Blackiemuir and bleach fields.

Some of the members had taken along examples of table linen produced in Laurencekirk and Luthermuir.

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