HAUGH-MILL, a village, in that part of the parish
of Markinch which formed the quoad sacra parish of
Milton of Balgonie, county of Fife; containing 17O inhabitants.
This village has risen since the erection of
some mills, in 1794, for the spinning of flax and tow
into canvass yarn, for which purpose they continued to
be employed till 1832, when the present proprietor introduced
a complete set of new machinery, for the spinning
of the finer yarns for home-made linens. In 1835,
he greatly augmented the number of spindles, now
amounting to 2000. The machinery is propelled by two
water-wheels of forty-horse power; and from twentyfive
to thirty tons of flax are consumed monthly, imported
chiefly from Holland, Belgium, France, Archangel,
Riga, and St. Petersburg. In 1836, a spacious
bleachfield was established in connexion with the works;
and these together afford employment to about 185 persons,
many of whom live in cottages built upon the premises.