History - Articles
Articles - Most Recent
Stobhill Gunpowder Works (Scotland’s first Gunpowder Mill)
Written by Alasdair Anderson
In 1794, Scotland’s first Gunpowder Mill started operations on the banks of the Gore Water. The company was set up by William Hitchener and John Hunter who obtained a license to erect the mill at Stobsmills after signing a fifty year lease for the land. The entrepreneurs took a third partner, John Merricks, who had previous experience of gunpowder making. Wonder if the Dragons would have invested?The construction of the gunpowder mill was a major work of engineering.... more
Main St - The Heart of Gorebridge
Written by David Thomas
The Main St in Gorebridge was once a flourishing shopping centre with shops either side of the street. These shops sprung up following the arrival of the Gunpowder Works in the 18th Century. The coal industry later ensured the towns relative prosperity well into the twentieth century. These pictures show Mackays General Store and its delivery horse and cart in 1919. Mackays is now home to RS McColl at 23-25 Main St. Pictures courtesy of The Gorebridge History... more
The opening of Gorebridge Golf Course - June 19th 1897
Written by David Thomas
The Gorebridge golf course was at Catcune beside the Borthwick Burn. In the middle distance of the picture people are standing by the old railway line watching the proceedings. The great and the good of Gorebridge were in attendance at this auspicious occasion. Teeing off is young Eva Inch, daughter of the local GP Dr Robert Inch.The Golf Course was on land owned by a local farmer who became tired of adjacent crops being damaged by... more
Gorebridge Station
Written by John Ballantyne - Chairman of the Gorebridge & District History Society
Edinburgh will be linked to the Borders by rail again, after work officially began on the Waverley which will run from Edinburgh to Tweedbank near Galashiels in the Scottish Borders. The line will bring new life to Gorebridge and its economy. The original Gorebridge station opened on 14 July 1847 as part of the North British Railway's new line that was to reach Hawick and Carlisle. The station closed to passengers on 6 January 1969 as part of the overall closure... more
