A curious piece of maritime heritage has been identified after its discovery during a Mearns museum’s renovation.
Members of the Howe o’ the Mearns Heritage Association were puzzled to find an artefact in a store during refurbishment of the Maggie Law Maritime Museum in Gourdon.
A visit by Bobby and Margaret Gowans, originally from Gourdon, identified the equipment as an early manual knitting machine for knitting sea-boot stockings.
However, more information is being sought on the contraption as any instructions are long gone. Villager Andrew Freeman, who died in 1973, was an expert at using this machine to produce stockings for fishermen.
His widow Katie gave the machine to the Gowans family for safe keeping in the hope there would one day be a museum. Dave Ramsay, project director for the museum’s refurbishment, said: “This is an amazing piece of maritime heritage.
“Thanks to Margaret and Bobby, the machine can now be displayed in the museum with the full story of Andrew and the knitting machine being told.”
Mr Ramsay would like to know if the machine can it be brought back into use for demonstrations for school pupils and visitors.
He added: “I would welcome any information from any knitting machine or heritage enthusiast.”
The museum is open from 1pm to 4.30pm every day except Tuesday. Mr Ramsay can be contacted on 01561 361855.