Glentana Mill, Alva, Clackmannanshire was built during 1873, for the Wilson Brothers from Glasgow, who were in the soap and wax business.
William Wilson was already involved in the production of shawls at the Boll Mill in Alva, a venture he participated in from 1866, but with his brother James, he created a new company called Wilson Bros in 1872. The mill was built for the manufacture of woolen based cloths and was originally three-storeys high with a tall circular-section brick chimney. The chimney was damaged in a storm in 1895 and partially rebuilt (now demolished). When completed in 1874, the mill was known as the Dalmore Works.
They expanded the business to include the production of tweeds, mainly for men, and later into ladieswear, specialising in ladies' woollen novelty fabrics. Over the years, the brothers realised there was also a market for wool and mohair rugs.
In 1907, the company took over the manufacturing patterns and yarns of Bannockburn Tweed. In 1912 the mill was extended and again in 1916 to satisfy demand for the products produced there. In 1930, Wilsons became a limited company and three years later created a subsidiary company called Craigleith Fabrics, named after the local hill.
The mill was destroyed by fire in 1941 and subsequently rebuilt as a single storey block. The chimney was retained. The power-loom shed at its west end was 15 bays long, each window recessed with yellow brick surrounds. The building has a double-ridged slate roof and has a semi-basement which was originally used to accommodate horses.
The company assets were transferred to Wilsons (Alva) Ltd in 1955 and in 1961 the company formed a joint venture with a Glasgow firm who manufactured scarfs and called the venture Glentana Mills Ltd. By this time, their reputation for good quality work was well-known, not only at home but abroad, especially the American market.
The name McBean and Bishop came about following the loss of the mill in 1964 with manufacturing being transferred to other mills in the town, the company renting the space. Wilsons Bros (Alva) Ltd was taken over by Pringles of Inverness in 1967.
By 1974, McBean and Bishop had invented a ‘tickle free mohair tartan’. Its popularity soared and the company received an order that year worth £20,000 from a Japanese client who ordered tartan, scarves, and self-coloured stoles. Scarves, rugs and blankets, made from mohair and cashmere continued to be produced at the site until around 1979, however by 1986 production had ceased at the site.
By the 1990s, the building had been repurposed as a visitor and tourist information centre. Inside was a brief history of the woollen industry of the Hillfoots along with a mill shop selling sweaters, scarves and other woollen goods. There was also working machinery for visitors to experience the noise and mechanics of a working loom. A coffee shop was also established at the eastern end of the block. Much of the old mill, including the chimney, was demolished in 1993 and a car park replaced most of it.
The last company to make use to the old brick building was Scotcrest, a company who supply uniforms and work clothing, but they relocated in January 2019 to other premises in the centre of Alva. In 2019, Historic Environment Scotland was asked to look at the building to see if it was feasible for it to become a listed building. They had looked at the building previously in 2010 but had found it did not meet the required criteria, and in 2019 this was still the case, and no listing was given.
This historic building is now set for demolition and the cleared site is to be turned into housing for elderly.