Deanston

   DEANSTON, formerly a quoad sacra parish, in the parish of Kilmadock, county of Perth; including the hamlet of Murdochston, and containing 1050 inhabitants, of whom 982 are in the village of Deanston, 1 mile (W.) from Doune. This place appears to have originated in the establishment of some cotton-works on the south bank of the Teith, for which that copious and powerful stream afforded ample advantages, and in the consequent erection of a spacious village for the residence of the men employed in the concern. The village, which consists of one wide street, running parallel to the river, is regularly built; the houses are two stories high, with attics, and are roofed with slate, and whitewashed, having a cleanly and cheerful aspect, and attached to each of them is a neat garden. The works were established about the year 1786, by Messrs. Buchanan, of Carston, brothers, the eldest of whom was the first agent of Sir Richard Arkwright in Glasgow for the sale of cotton-twist; and under his superintendence the works soon rose into importance for the spinning of yarn, equal to the finest which has since been produced at Manchester. In 1793, the works became the property of Mr. Flounders, of the county of York, and subsequently of James Finlay and Co., of Glasgow, under whom they were remodelled by Mr. Smith, a nephew of Mr. Buchanan; and in 1822, the company made arrangements with the neighbouring proprietors, and obtained an additional quantity of water-power. The works are at present driven by four water-wheels, of eighty-horse power each, and afford employment to 800 persons; the whole of the establishment is lighted with gas, and thoroughly ventilated. Attached is a schoolroom, erected by the company, who keep a master to instruct the children employed in the factory, who attend the school for three hours daily.