'Priceless' artefact stolen from historic Outlander location

A 500-year-old stone object has been stolen from a medieval Scottish castle made famous as a location on the TV series Outlander.

Police believe it would have taken more than one person to steal the historic millstone from Aberdour Castle in Fife.

Officers said it was taken sometime between 12pm on March 17 and 10am on March 18.

This is not the first time the castle has been the target of vandalism.

The 500-year-old millstone stolen from Aberdour Castle (Police Scotland) Police Scotland

South West Fife Police officers have been making regular checks on the Historic Environment Scotland site while it has been closed due to coronavirus restrictions.

Police have keys to the gates and were called after damage was caused to an information board earlier this month. Broken bottles were found on the castle grounds.

Aberdour is one of the oldest masonry castles still standing in Scotland. It was the setting of a Benedictine monastery in the first season of the time-travel TV show Outlander. It is set to reopen and welcome visitors on Friday, April 30.

A Historic Environment Scotland spokesperson said: “This 16th century millstone is one of the few remnants of water-powered mill that once stood in the castle grounds next to the Dour Burn, and an important piece of the story of the site.

Officers have been making regular checks on Aberdour Castle (Police Scotland) Police Scotland

“Grain was ground into flour between this stone and a larger flat one underneath. A wooden spindle, powered by a waterwheel, turned the top stone.

“The loss of such an artefact is a heritage crime which robs us of a priceless piece of our past, and we would urge anyone with information regarding this incident to contact Police Scotland on 101.”

A South West Fife Police spokesperson said: “Sadly, despite our checks, the issues at Aberdour Castle continue. This 500-year-old mill stone was stolen from there between 12pm on March 17 and 10am on March 18. It would take at least two people to lift it.”

Members of the public with any information can call 101 and reference incident number 1332 of March 18, or contact CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.