Upper Linn (NS 644 150)

Upper Linn is situated in the upper reaches of Mansfield Burn beyond the waterfall or linn, that it takes its name from. On Ordnance survey maps the farm always appears as Upper Linn, whilst in the Census Records from 1841-1881, it is recorded as High Linn. 

Despite the coal-mining and lime works in the vicinity the cottage appears to have always housed agricultural workers in the 19th century. The tiled passageway in one of the rooms suggests that this was a byre where the beasts were kept and it may well have been there in 1841 when Thomas Brown, bowerman (byre-man)  and his wife Jane were tenants. Forty years later, Upper Linnt was home to Alexander Houston, his wife and their seven children (all 11 years old or younger) and general servant Elizabeth Crawford.

Nether Linn (NS 643 145)

Nether Linn is situated well downstream from the waterfall, close to Mansfield Bridge.  Here too it is always recorded as Nether Linn on OS Maps, whilst in Census Records it given as Linn or The Linn, while in Valuation Rolls of 1856-57, it is called Linn House. In these Rolls it is combined with Mugs Park, presumably an adjoining field. Agricultural labourer Gavin Campbell and his family lived there for at least 10 years. By 1881 it was tenanted by land steward (and forester) Andrew Gibson, the cottage within walking distance of landowner Sir Charles Stuart Mentieth's grand Mansfield House.