Flax wheel from Craigdarroch House, Moniaive

Durig the 1400s European craftsmen made the spinning wheel more efficient by introducing a 'U' shaped flyer around the spindle.  This enabled long stapled fibres such as flax to be spun and wound on to the bobbin at the same time.  The distaff at the front of the wheel was dressed with flax and the little dish contained water in which the spinner moistened her fingers, allowing a smooth linen yarn to be produced.   Flax has been grown and used to make linen for thousands of years.  During the 1700s local production centred around Lochmaben and Lockerbie, using the rich, fertile valleys of the RIver Annan and the Ae Water.   Although flax spinning was an ecomonic necessity for working class women, many "ladies" would spin as a pastime.