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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Peeblesshire => Topic started by: Blinkyman on Monday 01 August 11 10:51 BST (UK)
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Can anyone fill in the details on the demise of the Old Mill Inn at Blyth Bridge?
Just discovered that it is no longer a pub and restaurant.
Last visited some 35 years ago. It was a wonderful place then.
Also, found a picture from the 1950 of the Inn with a church steeple and bell tower showing in the background, the Church seems to have "disappeared' too!?
Interested ???
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It has been converted to a dwelling house over the past few years. The outside remains the same. Shame as it had a good name over the years. Sounds as if I have the same old photo as you have. The United Free Church was demolished , I think in the 50's.
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Yes it closed a few years ago after a long and distinguished career. Initially after being a working mill it was used as a tea room by a provost of Edinburgh, Mr Darling I think he was called. Afternoon tea was served in the dining room and also from a small hut in the gardens.
At the height of its popularity in the late seventies it served over 100 A la Carte dinners on a saturday night in the summer months. The introduction of the breathalyser probably began the start of its decline although in later years it owned a minibus which would transport customers locally.
The church was demolished in 1962/3 after it had failed to find a buyer. It had been a United Free church which had broken away from the established church in 1843. It had a congregation of 131 in 1900. The land for the church and the manse which is still there was gifted to the congregation by Lord Gibson Carmichael of Skirling who was the local landowner at the time