Here we have a short piece by Graeme Stewart, who's father, Duncan, worked in the Mill for many years. We are fortunate to have Mr Stewart as one of our Trustees. He has a wealth of knowledge of days gone by and has kindly shared this painting of Knockando House which he has recently given to the owners of the Knockando Estate.
"John Mantach Grant was a solicitor in Edinburgh and an amateur painter of water colours. He was a nephew of Miss Grant, the centenarian who lived in Willowbank, (the cottage just across the burn from the Woolmill) until she died in 1925.
His middle name, Mantach, was his mother’s maiden name. Like Margach, the name was not uncommon in those days. A search of the internet today will show just how unusual the name "Mantach" is.
John enjoyed painting local subjects and I am fortunate to have a number of his original watercolours."
More of John Mantach Grant's watercolours can be seen at the website of Pipe Major John Grant (a contemporary of his).