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PB the Cairn
Lochwinnoch
The purpose of the site is to help those new to the village to connect with its past and for those who have left for pastures new to remember what was left behind
Old Images
Calderbank Mill Ancillary Buildings
This could be the first in a series of six photographs taken on a photoshoot around the mill. As they didn't have drones in the late 1800's, early 1900's, this "aerial" photograph was taken from the glen road atop Raven's Craig. Given the condition of the buildings this is one of the oldest photographs in existence of this mill. The roof of the main building is visible in the bottom right hand corner.
Black Dam and Calderbank Mill
Next stop in this possible photoshoot is to take the path down into the glen that starts just before Loves farm. This is the view to your left as you descend this path. Today it is not as clear given over 100 years of growth in the woodland.
In the foreground is the Black Dam and also visible is the sluice gate controlling water from this reservoir. In the background is the Calderbank Bleachfield. These two structures were not directly related to each other.
In the foreground is the Black Dam and also visible is the sluice gate controlling water from this reservoir. In the background is the Calderbank Bleachfield. These two structures were not directly related to each other.
The Calder and Calderbank Bleach mill
When you reach the bottom of the path and walk round the Black Dam to the river you come to the Wooden Dam Breast. This shot looks like it was taken from just below that structure looking down the river towards the mill.
Calderbank Bleach Mill 1
And finally you arrive at the mill to shoot this closeup.
The lade is still functioning given the flow of water from the mill. This also means the wooden dam breast has not yet been swept away.
The lade is still functioning given the flow of water from the mill. This also means the wooden dam breast has not yet been swept away.
Calderbank Bleachworks Water Wheel
Perhaps this is the fifth photograph in the series providing a clearer view of the mill wheel which is completely hidden in the previous shot.
Calderbank Bleach Mill 2
Perhaps this is the sixth photograph in the series taken from an angle providing a view of both the mill and its big wheel.
These are all pre 1933 when the mill wheel was removed. The first photograph shows the mill complex to be in a very good state of repair and no sign that it has been abandoned. Perhaps they were taken in the late 1800's or early 1900 just before the mill closed.
These are all pre 1933 when the mill wheel was removed. The first photograph shows the mill complex to be in a very good state of repair and no sign that it has been abandoned. Perhaps they were taken in the late 1800's or early 1900 just before the mill closed.
Calderbank Bleach Mill 3
This may have been taken at the same time as the others and is simply a slightly different viewpoint to the previous photograph.
However, there appears to be more vegetation than in the previous photograph so my guess is it was taken at a later date. It is still pre 1933 as the mill wheel is still in place.
However, there appears to be more vegetation than in the previous photograph so my guess is it was taken at a later date. It is still pre 1933 as the mill wheel is still in place.
Calderbank Bleach Mill 4
A colourised version of the previous photograph
Calderbank Bleach Mill 5
Again this photograph is pre 1933 but significant deterioration of the building has started - the roof at the far end of the building has collapsed and the lade running along the side of the building to the wheel is heavily overgrown.
Calderbank Bleach Mill 6
This photograph may be of the same vintage as the previous one. Many of the windows appear to be missing and the lade is heavily overgrown. Deterioration of the building is moving apace.
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