18 February 2009: Inverurie Paper Mill

Situated on the west bank of the River Don, Inverurie Paper Mill was established for Thomas Tait & Sons Ltd in 1852 to make fine papers, including bank-note papers. The mill used water from the Don and a nearby canal, and a system of waterwheels and turbines, to produce the power to work the machines. There was also a narrow gauge railway system in operation at the complex, providing links to the Great North of Scotland Railway, which opened in 1854.

By the start of the 19th century, the mill complex was dominated by a five-storeyed rectangular brick tower designed to produce calcium bisulphate, an acid liquor in which wood chips were boiled for pulping under pressure. When this photo of a paper machine was taken in 1971, some of the power to the mill was still being supplied by water turbines.

International Paper acquired the mill in 1996. An announcement was made by the company this week that the historic mill is to close in March.  For more images and information on the mill click on the image above and follow the links to the site in our searchable online database Canmore.