|
MILNGAVIE
HISTORY
MODERN
HISTORY
The River Allander has played an important part in the
development of Milngavie. Once the River reaches Milngavie,
its geographical position naturally lends itself to
taking advantage of the rivers power, through the use
of water wheels and pumps.
For
hundreds of years the Montrose family owned a corn mill
that stood on the river at Milngavie. It was here that
the crops from the surrounding lands were threshed.
Bit by bit the lands of the Montrose family were steadily
sold off, however, they kept ownership of the mill.
The mill was a major factor in the growth in what is
now Milngavie.
Originally
only a small number of houses surrounded the mill. By
1800 there were around 200 inhabitants. From then on
the town quickly grew in size. As the Montrose family
sold off its land, small farms were formed and local
agriculture increased.
From
the early 1800's industry in Milngavie increased.The
Bleachfields at Clober being one of the earliest enterprises.
Other industries that developed included: cotton spinning
works, a paper mill, block printing works, dye works,
etc. As industry grew, so did Milngavie's population.
By 1900 it had a population of over 2000.
In
1863 a railway line was opened between Milngavie and
Glasgow. It was planned to continue to Strathblane and
the North. However, this was not carried out. With the
arrival of the railway Milngavie quickly grew in prosperity
and population.
In 1921 George Bennie, an engineer and inventor, first announced his plans for a revolutionary new form of transport in Milngavie. Bennie had a test line for his Railplane system constructed in 1929-30 over an LNER railway siding to Burnbrae Dye Works at Milngavie. Sadly, Bennie was unable to secure sufficient investment, and both the track and Railplane were sold for scrap in 1956.
For more information on the Bennie Railplane, visit:
|
