A HISTORIC mill in Angus has seen its first phase of vital restoration work completed after a record-breaking donation of £2.4 million was made by a mysterious donor.
The Barry Mill, near Carnoustie, will start milling flour again for the first time since 1982 after the first phase of conservation work was completed.
The mill dates back to 1814, when it was rebuilt following a fire and has operated as a working mill for more than 800 years.
Following one of the largest single gifts by a living donor in the National Trust for Scotland’s (NTS) history last year, new life has been breathed into the historic mill.
Restoration work was carried out on the mill’s mechanical system with a full repair of the water wheel and its supporting structure.
Iain Hawkins, National Trust for Scotland Regional Director for the North East, said the restoration presented some “challenges” but a specialised team were able to carry out the vital work.
He told STV News: “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.”
The work is part of a wider ten-year plan for full restoration of the mill in which members of the local community got to see the old structure back in action for the first time in more than 40 years at an open day in March.
Barry Mill, one of only a handful of mills powered by water, was once a vital source of food and trade for the local community.
The water-powered mill produced oatmeal and other foods and is thought to be one of the largest examples of its type still in operation.
The National Trust for Scotland started caring for the mill in 1990 following its closure in the 80s.
“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,” Hawkins said.
“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.”