Forthvale Woollen MIll

Forthvale Mill was built as a Woollen Mill in the 1860s by John Todd, Woollen manufacturer, and subsequently extended. It is described by John R. Hume as: –

“A complex of 1- and 2- storey brick buildings, of which the oldest appears to be a 6-by-7-bay block of weaving sheds.”

View from SSW showing S and W fronts of Weaving shed

This shows the oldest part of complex from the south. These brick buildings are part of the wool spinning mill, unusual in being a single-storeyed structure. They were probably built in the late 19th century. There are later additions out of sight to the right.

There were mills in Menstrie that processed wool from sheep farmed on the Ochils. In 1800 a carding and spinning mill was opened on the east side of the Menstrie Burn. This was followed by Elmbank Mills and then Forthvale Mills, both tweed mills, one on either side of the burn in Menstrie. The duplication of the name has endangered any data which might be sought regarding the Stirling Forthvale Factory.

The 1885-86 Valuation Roll lists the Proprietors of the Cornton Forthvale Mill as Andrew Robertson, James Robertson, and David Bennet Robertson, partners in the Firm of Robertson Brothers, Wool Spinners.

In the same document, Forthside Cottage and Garden are listed as being owned by the brothers and occupied by John Dow, Mill Manager, Charles Gray, Fireman and John Lennox, Spinner.

Also under the ownership of the brothers was “Park, Forthside” and “Park, Forthvale”.

“Park, Forthside” is at that time tenanted by Mrs John Clark, 43 Lower Bridge Street, Stirling. Why she had the tenancy but also had her own address elsewhere is not explained.

“Park, Forthvale” is tenanted by Mrs Jane Clark, Dairy Keeper.

10 years later, in the 1895-96 Valuation Roll Forthside Cottage is occupied by John Lennox, Spinner and Robert Armour, Fireman. The Manager appears to have secured other premises. Tenancy of both “Park, Forthside” and “Park, Forthvale” are unchanged.

The Rubber Co. of Scotland took over the premises of the Forthvale Woollen Mill sometime prior to July 1898. The Bridge of Allan Gazette had this to say in their edition of 9^th July that year: –

“In view of the decay of so many of our local industries it is cheering to find a new one starting. The rubber works at Forthvale Mills, Old Bridge will be set agoing next month, we believe, and 60 or 80 hands will be employed”

This small rubber works was latterly owned by the Gates Rubber Co Ltd, who also had factories near Dumfries and at Newbridge, near Edinburgh. They closed the Forthvale Mills in about 1990, and the site has been redeveloped for student residences for Stirling University see John Forty’s Court.

In the 1905 Valuation Roll the owner is listed as “The Rubber Company of Scotland Ltd” per Robert Bruthron Black Managing Director. “Grass Parks, Forthvale”, is simply listed in their ownership, while “House and Garden, Forthvale Cottage” is listed as being tenanted by the Manager, who at that time was one Walter Cotton.

From the Facebook enquiry: –

Julian Clarkson says: –

“They were industrial rubber manufacturers. Making rubber sheeting, hoses and electrical resistant matting. I worked in every part of the factory at one time or another and finally left after creating a programme for costing after being sales manager for a while!”

Alastair Robertson says: –

“Rubber Works closed 92/93!”

When asked if he knew if they manufactured Hot Water Bottles he replied: –

Not when I was there. Did work for coal board, whisky industry, milk board, government electric board plus others even for councils rubber backed steel for snow gritters.