Origin Carnoustie

carnoustie, c. 1900

the lands of carnoustie remained in ownership of fernie family until end of 16th century. in 1595 had passed hands of mitchell downie , margaret fernie sold them robert bultie, burgess of dundee sum of 5,000 merks. came possession of alexander family, around beginning of 17th century, , documents dating middle of century mention village of carnoustie. estate sold patrick lyon of strathmore around 1680, , remained in family s ownership, passing through marriage james milne, wealthy shipmaster montrose around 1752.

the barry parish register attests small thriving community based largely on linen weaving existing on land became carnoustie @ least 18th century (before then, place of residence not listed in records). around fifth of births registered in parish in mid-18th century listed being in carnoustie estate.

the stimulus triggered expansion of town undoubtedly sudden increase in demand linen around 1760, caused population explosion of mid-18th century. handloom weaving relatively easy trade learn and, @ time, prosperous career. in 1792 on return india, major william phillips, former valet earl of panmure, purchased carnoustie estate james milne £5,000. phillips recognised potential of local industry when offered portions of land feu in 1797.

the first person take feu thomas lowson, local loom wright, rented 2 acres (8,100 m) of land near new road had been been marked out david gardyne of ravensby. on next few years, more , more people settled in immediate area venture proved profitable , phillips sold property in 1808 george kinloch £11,000.

kinloch promoted further growth of village, setting brickworks , granting loans prospective feuers allow them settle and, mid-19th century, population of town had risen more thousand. many years, village known feus . perhaps first cartographic depiction of town french maritime chart of 1803, village shown feux , while thomson s 1832 map of area shows feus being number of properties, largely concentrated in area west of lochty burn.