A record-breaking donation of £2.4m from a mystery donor has brought a historic mill in Angus back to life.
The first phase of vital conservation work at the Barry Mill near Carnoustie has been completed and will see it start milling flour again for the first time since 1982.
It comes after one of the largest single gifts by a living donor in the National Trust for Scotland’s (NTS) history was made last year.
The £2.4m cash injection was made by a long-time member of the conservation charity to support restoration work across the North East of Scotland.
STV NewsThe mill, in its current form, dates back to 1814 when it was rebuilt following a fire and operated as a working mill for over 800 years.
It was once a vital source of food and trade for the local community, and restoration work on the mill’s mechanical system has brought it back to life.
A full repair of the water wheel and its supporting structure was required as part of a wider ten-year plan for full restoration.
On March 22, members of the local community got to see the mill in action again for the first time in over 40 years at an open day.
Iain Hawkins, National Trust for Scotland Regional Director for the North East, said: “It is fantastic to see the mill back in working order after the completion of the first phase of our 10-year plan to restore it.
“The first phase has seen important parts of the mill’s internal mechanics restored, such as the installation of a new water wheel shaft, repairs to its bearings, and replacement of the water wheel’s ‘teeth’ and its water buckets to enable the water-powered mill to be fully operational once again.
“Working on a building of this age presented some complex challenges, and it is a testament to the hard work of our highly skilled team and the specialist contractors they commissioned that they were able to bring this amazing example of our pre-industrial heritage back to life to share with our visitors.
“We’re excited to open the doors of Barry Mill to the local community and to visitors to witness the spectacle for themselves, and we were really pleased to give them a first glimpse of the mill working again in all its glory at our recent community open day.
“This work wouldn’t have been possible without one of the largest single gifts by a living donor in the National Trust for Scotland’s history, which saw a long-standing member of our charity, who wishes to remain anonymous, donate £2.4m to support our projects across the North East.
“Contributions like this allow us to continue our vital conservation work, to care for, protect and share, Scotland’s natural and cultural heritage for everyone to enjoy, now and into the future.”
Barry Mill, one of only a handful of mills powered by water, is thought to be one of the largest examples of its type still in operation.
The water-powered mill produced oatmeal and other foods, as well as providing work for local people until 1982. The National Trust for Scotland started caring for the mill in 1990.
Follow STV News on WhatsApp
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
