Beneath our feet lie the remnants of a once-thriving industry the Former North Woodside Flint Mills. These ruins whisper tales of Glasgow’s industrious past. The Former North Woodside Flint Mills stand as a testament to innovation.
The story of this place begins in 1846. Kidston Cochran and Co built the mill on the site of old grain mills. This location was chosen because of the River Kelvin’s fast-flowing water. But before grinding flints, this area had a different purpose.
Originally this was a site for grinding barley. William Gillespie later switched it to milling phosphate. This phosphate was used to produce alum for calico printing. The River Kelvin powered all of this activity. A magnificent weir upstream held back the fast-flowing water. This controlled the water sent to the mill. It drove the machinery.
The Former North Woodside Flint Mills played a crucial role in Glasgow’s pottery industry. The mill ground flint which was used in pottery glazes. Imagine the sounds the constant churning of water and the grinding of stone. This mill operated until after World War Two.
Now look around. The landscape was transformed by the Glasgow Corporation in the 1970s. The sounds of industry have faded. Birdsong fills the air.
Let’s focus on the ruins that remain. You can see the remnants of a single-story mill and a drying shed. These were demolished around 1964. The most substantial survival is the square tapering kiln. It is made of stone and brick. Notice the upper part encased in concrete. This kiln played a vital role in processing flint.
Consider the lade. It supplied water to the wood and iron internal undershot wheel. The mill needed this water power to function.
Despite the changes time and nature have brought the Former North Woodside Flint Mills still holds a place in Glasgow’s history. It connects us to the industries that once defined this area. The Former North Woodside Flint Mills are a reminder of Glasgow’s past. Take a moment to reflect on the people who worked here. Their labor helped shape the city we know today.