In this episode we visit Juteopolis – the name given to Dundee in the 19th Century when the city’s landscape and economic activity were dominated by the processing of raw jute from Bengal into hessian or burlap to meet burgeoning demand for sacks, sails and covers for pioneers heading west. For the first time it was the women who were the breadwinners – working in the mills while the men stayed home. Same era but worlds apart, Cate Cranston was a pioneer of a different kind. Astute businesswoman, patron of the arts and social pioneer she introduced tearooms to Glasgow giving respectable women a place to socialise unchaperoned and men a place to escape the demon drink!
