John o' Groats Mill
| John o' Groats Mill | |
|
Caithness | |
|---|---|
.jpg) John o' Groats Mill | |
| Type: | Watermill |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | ND37207335 |
| Location: | 58°38’36"N, 3°5’1"W |
| History | |
| Built 1750 and later | |
| Watermill | |
| Information | |
| Condition: | Undergoing restoration |
John o’ Groats Mill, built in 1750, stands on a small stream overlooking the sea at John o' Groats in the north-east corner of Caithness – which itself is the north-east corner of Great Britain. It ceased operating long ago but remains, despite its declined condition, the last mill in Caithness to retain its machinery and fittings.
The mill was built in about 1750, with further building in 1845, 1860 and 1901. It worked as a grain mill in the 20th Century, but had been a threshing mill in the 18th Century. It has been known variously as 'John O' Groats Mill', 'Huna Mill' and 'Burn Of Duncansby Mill'.
Building
In form the mill is a south facing, 3-storey, L-plan rubble-built mill, tooled rubble dressings. It has a first floor loft door above the main entrance, and its wheel-house in an adjoining lean-to. The roof is, of course, in Caithness slate. Smaller two-storey mill stands across the mill lade, which serves both wheels. The mill complex also contains later Victorian buildings jumbled about the site.[1]
All internal machinery has ben retained.
A bridge over the stream links the mill with Mill Cottage: this is believed to be the oldest military bridge in the Highlands.[2]
Restoration
The Prince’s Regeneration Trust and the North Highland Initiative developed a regeneration project with the mill owner, and in 2013 the AOC Archaeology Group began a survey Building Dates
References
- ↑ John o Groats Mill - AOC Archaeology Group
- ↑ Historic Environment Scotland
John o' Groats Mill – Buildings at Risk (RCAHMS)