For over 800 years the Dean Village which lies in a gorge beside the Water of Leith, was a very important grain milling area until the development of much larger and more modern flour mills at Leith when it deteriorated.  Now it is a desirable area in which to live and only a few minutes walk from the centre of Edinburgh.  At one time there were eleven working mills there, driven by water from the Water of Leith with several reminders of the village’s former importance still evident.  Two such are these stone plaques which were on buildings.
The top one is on what was the Old Tolbooth granary built for the Baxters (bakers) An inscription says on the lintel above the door to the west stair-turret of the granary reads: 'God bless the Baxters of Edinbrugh uho built this Hous 1675'. The overdoor panel has carved symbols of the Incorporation of Baxters. Much of Dean village was owned or controlled by the Baxters of Edinburgh, and relics of their way of life remain. Their symbols included a wheatsheaf, cherubs' heads, two crossed peels (for putting loaves into the oven), cakes and a pair of scales.
 
The other stone plaque is situated on Kirkbrae house at the end of Dean Bridge high above the gorge where the village lies. When the house was extended in the 19th century it incorporated the original part which was built as a tavern for the millers and the plaque was transferred from another building further down the hill. It states  
The two upper corners of the panel are occupied by cherub's heads, between which is a circular garland with a sun in glory at the top and scrolls at each side. From each side of the garland issues a hand and arm, with two peels or malt shovels crossed in saltire behind. The dexter handholds a wheat-sheaf upright, and the sinister one holds a pair of scales with an hour-glass between the pans and a wheat-sheaf on each side. On a scrolled cartouche runs the text: IN THE SWEAT OF THY FACE SHALT THOU / EAT BREAD. GEN. 3, VERSE 19 / ANNO DOM. 1619