Watercolour on paper, 1871
RCAHMS
The Pullar’s Dyeworks (also known as the North British Dyeworks) was established in 1824. The first dry-cleaners in Britain, it was also the first to use synthetic dyes. Dry-cleaning involves using solvents to remove stains and was pioneered in France in the mid-nineteenth century.
The original buildings at Burt’s Close, 120 High Street and 19 Mill Street, Perth specialised in silk dyeing, furniture cleaning and the re-conditioning of clothing. The company eventually expanded to cover a large site along Perth Lade. By the late nineteenth century, Pullars was the largest dyeworks in Scotland.
Pullars of Perth eventually closed in 1993. The Union Street block has since been demolished, but the Kinoull and Mill Street blocks have been converted into dwellings and into offices for Perth and Kinross Council.