Bleaching Greens
The areas of the river bank used to spread out laundry were known as bleaching greens, not to be confused with the bleaching fields where, until the middle of the 19th century, linen cloth was given its final whitening before being sent south for sale.

Linen Industry
Nowadays when we think of linen we tend to think of Irish linen, yet at one time there was also a thriving linen industry in the Highlands. In Inverness, the excellent harbour facilities were of great benefit , both for the import of raw flax and linseed, although flax was also grown locally and for the export of yarn and woven cloth. In the days before cotton linen was the only alternative to wool.

Bleaching was the final process in the making of linen and one which required the largest amount of water and a large area of flat land. This process was responsible for considerable pollution because of the chemicals needed to whiten the naturally white cloth.

John Home's Plan of Inverness 1774, indicates a bleachfield beside General's Well near Whin Park, and also Watertown near the site of Holm Woollen Mill.