The building was designed as offices for Mid Mill, sometimes known as Valley Mill, which was located to the immediate north of the site, and completed in the late 19th century. It was acquired by the
War Office for use by the 4th Battalion, the
King's Own Scottish Borderers in 1908. The 4th and 5th battalions amalgamated to form the 4th/5th Battalion, with its headquarters at the Paton Street drill hall in 1961. The battalion headquarters moved to Dumfries in 1967 with just a single company left at the Paton Street drill hall. In 2006 D Company was disbanded but an Anti-Tank Platoon and a Rifle Platoon, forming part of A (Royal Scots Borderers) Company,
52nd Lowland, 6th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, was retained and remains based at the Paton Street drill hall. ==References==