Fencehillhead Lint Ponds

SMR 1688 / NS 8964 7059

Two joining lint pools arranged on the same W/E axis are shown on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey map south of the track to the east of Fencehillhead. By the time of the 2nd edition map they are joined on the east by a third (though not captioned).

At least 16 “lint pools” are depicted on the early edition Ordnance Survey maps in the Slamannan parish in 1860.  They are dispersed throughout the parish and each belonged to a different farm.  They are usually located on the edge of, or in, marshy ground close to a track, and often form part of a field boundary.  Those in the southern extremity of the parish are often oval or curved, whereas the majority are narrow and rectangular.  Their lengths vary from 53ft to 205ft.  A number of similar pools are shown on the maps but are not annotated.  These may have been pools that had gone out of use by 1860, but this is far from certain.  Some of the annotated pools remain labelled as “lint pools” on the 1896 maps, though most had their captions removed.

Flax was laid for six to nine nights in the water of these steeping ponds, which were also known as lint-holes or lint-cobles.  The use of running water for retting had been forbidden by law in the 17^th century due to the great nuisance it caused, particularly to the fish stocks.  Those in the Slamannan parish were rarely beside fast-flowing streams and any material derived from the soaking of the flax would settle in them without being carried into the main water courses.

The number and distribution of these ponds shows that much of the flax grown in the parish was treated at the farms before being transported to the flax mills which were to be found at Rashiehill, Balcastle, Westfield, Balmitchell (Bannkhead), Linn and probably Elrig.

LOCATION	GRID REF.	SOURCE	COMMENTS
Wester Loanrigg	NS 8675 7342	1860 OS map	L-shaped narrow pond occupying the corner of a field.  The arms are c120ft & 100ft long.  It lies adjacent to marshy ground and there are two similar, but un-annotated pools to the south-east.
Stonerig (Blacksyke)	NS 8840 7000	1860 OS map	Two long narrow Lint Pools in a marshy field.  The northern one is slightly broader and divided in two and is 100ft, the southern one is 190ft long.
Birnie Well	NS 8375 7345	1860 OS map 1860 6ins OS map 1896 OS map	Narrow rectangular pool c83ft long, SW/NE.
Parkhead	NS 8372 7425	1860 OS map 1860 6ins OS map 1896 OS map	Short rectangular pool, MMW/SSE next to marshy ground. c53ft long.
Oakerdykes	NS 8410 7407	1860 OS map 1860 6ins OS map 1896 OS map	Long narrow pool, slightly bent, c195ft long, W/E next to marshy ground north of a wood.
Jawcraig	NS 8435 7504	1859 OS map	Long narrow rectangular pool, SW/NE on edge of marshy ground. c205ft.
Threaprig	NS 8310 7450	1860 6ins OS map	L-shaped narrow pond on edge of marshy ground next to road.
Hillend	NS 8452 7294	1860 6ins OS map	L-shaped at end of field drain in marshy land.
Salterhill	NS 8610 7170	1860 6ins OS map	Narrow rectangular W/E pool on field boundary in marshy ground.
Salterhill 2	NS 8604 7147	1860 6ins OS map	Long narrow rectangular pool, NW/SE on field boundary and edge of marshy ground.
Burnbrae	NS 8552 7205	1860 6ins OS map	Curved pool on west side of burn.
Southfield	NS 8467 7205	1860 6ins OS map	Oval pool in marshy area next to drain.
Loanhead	NS 8450 7192	1860 6ins OS map	Rectangular pool, next to drain, near marshy ground. WSW/ENE.
Fencehillhead	NS 8920 7075	1860 6ins OS map	Next to road.
Fencehillhead 2	NS 8967 7042	1860 6ins OS map	Long curved pool in marshy area.
Blacksyke (Stonerig)	NS 8837 7003	1860 6ins OS map	Narrow rectangular pool on field boundary & edge of marshy ground.

G.B. Bailey, 2025