The Friends of Perth & Kinross Archive: Marl Mania – Strathmore’s Forgotten Industry

This talk by local historian Christopher Dingwall will describe the part played by Marl in the agricultural improvement of Strathmore during the late 18th century and early 19th century.  Marl, a lime rich deposit found widely in lochs and peat bogs in the area, was enthusiastically exploited by dredging and quarrying. It served as a valuable fertiliser for farmers wishing to improve their land. 

Drawing on research carried out by volunteers recruited by the Cateran Ecomuseum as part of its ‘River Detectives’ initiative, Christopher will tell the story of the rise and decline of what became a major industry in Strathmore in the second half of the 18th century, employing large numbers of people, and generating large profits for several landowners.  Given that there is little physical evidence of the industry to be found in today’s landscape, the putting together of the story has relied heavily on documentary evidence to be found in a number of local archives.

Image by Christopher Dingwall.