DEANSTON, a quoad sacra parish (formerly), in the
parish of Kilmadock, county of Perth; including the
hamlet of Murdoehston, and containing 1050 inhabitants,
of whom 982 are in the village of Deanston, 1 mile
(W.) from Doune. This place appears to have originated
in the establishment of some cotton-works on
the south bank of the Teith, for which that copious and
powerful stream afforded ample advantages, and in the
consequent erection of a spacious village for the residence
of the men employed in the concern. The village,
which consists of one wide street parallel to the river, is
regularly built: the houses are two stories high, with
attics; they are roofed with slate, and whitewashed,
having a cleanly and cheerful aspect, and attached to
each of them is a neat garden. The works w-ere established
about the year 1786, by Messrs. Buchanan, of
Carston, brothers, the eldest of whom was the first agent
of Sir Richard Arkwright in Glasgow for the sale of
cotton-twist; and under his superintendence the works
soon rose into importance for the spinning of yarn,
equal to the finest which has since been produced at
Manchester. In 1793 the works became the property
of Mr. Flounders, of the county of York, and subsequently
of James Finlay and Co., of Glasgow, under
whom they were remodelled by Mr. Smith (the wellknown
agriculturist), a nephew of Mr. Buchanan; and
in 1822 the company made arrangements with the neighbouring
proprietors, and obtained an additional quantity
of water-power. These extensive works are at present
driven by four water- wheels, of eighty-horse power each,
and afl'ord employment to 800 persons; the whole of
the establishment is lighted with gas, and thoroughly
ventilated. Attached is a schoolroom, erected by the
company, by whom a master is kept to instruct the
children employed in the factory, who attend the school
for three hours daily. Midway between Deanston and
Doune, the Teith is crossed by a substantial bridge, upwards
of two centuries old, from which one of the finest
views in this part of the country may be obtained.