The village grew round the corn mill in the early 17th century, and the oldest houses are those nearest the mill. The mill building, or all that remains of it, was last used as a joiner's shop. The present day 'brick buildings' stand on the site of the old mill dam. Another group of houses stood beside the burn near where the war memorial stands; these were known as the Netherton of Torr. They were demolished in the 19th century, but a smiddy and a slaughterhouse remained on the other side of the road between the bridge and the existing shop till well into the 20th century.back to top