The History of Linen Manufacturing The manufacture of linen was an established industry before the Union but flourished into, in Hamilton's words, "Scotland's premier industry" within the next 100 years. To say that the Union was the cause for this would be untrue. Though it did played a part in some aspects. To account for the rise of the Scottish linen during the 18th century many factors need to be considered. No one reason can be pinpointed. It was a combination of things that made it happen. Availability of cheap labour, encouragement of the industry from the state, avail