Gorebridge History

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. The Gore Water was diverted, four dams were built and a complex system of lades and culverts took water from these dams to operate ten water wheels which powered the various mills.

Besides supplying blasting powder for mines and quarries at home, gunpowder was sold to the Government during the Napoleonic War. There is a record of 100 barrels of gunpowder shipped from Greenock and sold in Liverpool in 1802. This consignment would have travelled by open cart to Leith; from there to Grangemouth by ship; then by barge through the Forth and Clyde Canal.

In the early 1800s a dispute arose between Merricks and the other two partners resulting in Merricks leaving Stobmills and establishing a more successful gunpowder mill at Roslin.

Up to 60 men were employed at the Gunpowder Mills at any one time. They lived in the houses on Powdermill Brae, known locally as the ‘Black Raw’. It was a highly dangerous occupation, explosions were frequent and deaths not uncommon.

The gunpowder mill was closed shortly after 1861 and fell into ruins. In 1876 Robert Dundas of Arniston bought Stobmills House and the accompanied ruined mill buildings. These buildings were eventually demolished to make way for a driveway from the gates at Stobmills House to Arniston House via the old gunpowder works.

A vestige of  the gunpowder works remain in the glen. Many trees were planted and some of the ruins left to create a ‘romantic atmosphere'.