The Kilncleuch Mill was a relatively late addition to the Langholm woollen manufacturing industry, built in 1895 by James Scott (1864-1941), grandson of James Scott, founder of Waverley Mill.

His father John, a partner in Waverley Mill, had died the year before. James’s rival operation was constructed next to his late father’s business (see the map below) and was partly financed by two aunts, apparently causing some family tensions.

There is a Kilncleuch Burn (stream) on an overlooking hill nearby, from which the name was probably taken (cleuch meaning a steep valley or ravine), via the name of James’s residence, Kilncleuch House, near the burn (see bottom right of the map above).

Kilncleuch Mill failed in 1910 and was bought by a Huddersfield company, C H & F Firth. In 1915 the tenant operator was George Sharpe. The company was sold in 1917 and renamed Glenshee Mill, then again in 1919 and renamed Glenesk Mill.