Welcome to Creation Mill
Introducing Langholm’s new Community Interest Company! Read on to learn more about our journey and get involved.
Where it all began
Langholm was traditionally a bustling textiles town, housing several mills and employing a huge number of local people. The town was know for its high quality woollen tweeds which were mainly used for men’s suits and formal wear.
In 1878, Criterion Mill was built on Glenesk Road. Over the years, it would be home to several different companies, each weaving lengths of fabric on power looms. As the demand for suiting fabrics gradually decreased and lower manufacture costs abroad led to the decline of the Scottish textiles industry, Langholm’s large mills started to close down.
Today, the building which was once Criterion Mill houses the town’s last remaining power loom mill, Drove Weavers, as well as several small textiles businesses.
The future of Langholm textiles
Although not as immense as it once was, Langholm’s textiles industry is still very important. The mill on Glenesk Road, now named Bucchleuch Mill, is the centre of local industry, made up of companies like Glen Isla, Elliott’s Shed and Yarns to Yearn For.
Many local businesses now struggle to find workers with the technical skills they need, with skilled craftspeople retiring and less young people interested in textiles. Creation Mill’s aim is to inspire the next generation to get involved and teach them the skills necessary to keep our industry alive.
How will we help?
Working with local schools, colleges, and the job centre, Creation Mill will run workshops, training and short courses in all things textiles. The programme will provide a wide range of skills including weaving, darning and product creation.
In the future, we will also provide flexible meeting/workshop spaces, affordable maker spaces, a scrap store and tool library and tell the story of the textile history of Langholm.
We already have some fun workshops on our calendar, which you can browse and sign up for here!
Support Creation Mill C.I.C.
As a new venture, we are still looking for funding to help us to achieve our goals. At the moment we are Crowdfunding to be able to start the process. If you would like to support us, please donate here.