Role of Mills in the Community
The mills were the largest employers of labour in the communities where they were situated. Most employees came from the villages surrounding the mills, with many members and different generations from the same family working in the mills. However, by the 1960s demand for labour in the mills was so great that mills actively recruited and bussed in employees from as far afield as West Calder. The villages that grew round the mills were communities where everyone knew everyone else and most people worked in the mill. Many mills on the Water of Leith were involved in fostering the community of the village that they were based in; John Galloway in particular was known for his paternalism towards the town of Balerno. Retired employees were given Christmas hampers, the local primary school was kept provided with paper, donations were also sent to the school for their Christmas party and recreational facilities were provided for the residents of Balerno.
‘One of the social aspects was that they did have quite a lot of housing property in Blinkbonny and around the mill.’
The villages along the Water of Leith had greatly increased in population when mills and industrialisation came to the area. Mill owners realised that to attract employees they would have to offer some form of accommodation in the form of mill housing. They provided houses close to the mill for employees from all different ranks and departments in the mill. In Balerno there was a block of mill houses for the engineers and managers, which was nicknamed ‘Piani Row’ because it is said that when they were built a piano was hoisted into each house. It was felt that employees that lived in this block were well off as owning a piano was a sign of respectability and affluence. Mill housing was provided at an affordable rate and the properties were maintained and decorated by the mills. Though the cost of mill housing was a major benefit, many employees felt that it was not always such a good thing to be on the doorstep of their work. Such close proximity meant that if there was a problem with the running of the shift they were called out at all hours of the night.