7 Mills to Visit in Scotland this National Mills Weekend
7 Mills to Visit in Scotland this National Mills Weekend
On Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 May, over a hundred windmills and watermills will open their doors as part of National Mills Weekend – our annual celebration of the heritage and history of mills, and the people who care for them today.
We’ve rounded up seven of the most unmissable National Mills Weekend events in Scotland.
Find your nearest participating mills and get involved with the fun! Remember to share your photos with us @spabmills #NationalMillsWeekend.
1. Mill of Benholm, Aberdeenshire
Described by Historic Environment Scotland as "an exceptional and rare survival", this watermill has been in hibernation for decades. It’s now in the care of a community group, the Mill of Benholm Enterprise, who are bringing it back to life.
If you’re in the area the week before, you can also join the SPAB Scotland Working Party on Saturday 4 May to help clear out the lade and return the much-needed water supply to the mill.
Open Sunday 12 May, 12 - 4pm. Free entry.
Mill of Benholm © Henning Wagner
2. Finzean Bucket Mill, Banchory, Aberdeenshire
Finzean Bucket Mill, built in the 1850s, is unique in being a water-powered mill that made turned wooden buckets. The beautiful wooden buildings beside the picturesque river Feugh are not usually open to the public, but this weekend they will be opening up for pre-booked guided tours where you’ll see all the stages that go into making those special wooden buckets.
Open Saturday 11 and Sunday 11 May, 10.30am - 3.30pm. Free entry, donations welcome.
3. The Old Mill, Killin, Perthshire
This water-powered grain mill is the most substantial survivor of the village’s industrial rural past. Today, you can walk up the stairs inside the kiln chimney and get close to the working mid-breast waterwheel which drives a pit wheel bearing original teeth.
The mill also houses St Fillan's Healing Stones, which will be available to view and handle on the day. Alongside the stones' social and spiritual significance, experts have identified two of the stones as having sockets that identify them as pivot stones from an ancient horizontal mill.
Open Saturday 11 May, 10am - 5pm and Sunday 12 May 11am - 4pm. Free entry.
4. Stanley Mills, Perth, Perthshire
Explore 200 years of industrial history at this former 18th century cotton mill which only closed in 1989. See historic machinery, enjoy the interactive play area and take part in additional mill-themed activities just for this weekend.
Open Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 May, 10am - 4.30pm. Free entry.
Stanley Mills © mountaintreks
5. Castletown Mill, Thurso, Caithness
This 'T-shaped' three-storey building, with its central kiln block, was once one of the largest and most imposing mills and grain stores in the North of Scotland. After lying derelict for 32 years, Castletown Mill is currently being conserved and revitalised before opening to the public in summer 2025.
To celebrate National Mills Weekend, the mill will welcome small groups of visitors for free hard hat tours of the conservation work being carried out on this much-loved local landmark.
Open on Saturday 11 May, tours at 11am and 2pm.
6. Carluke High Mill and Community Garden, Lanarkshire
Carluke’s High Mill has stood sentinel at the top of Chapel Street for over 200 years. Carluke Development Trust are undertaking a major repair project to get the mill off the Buildings at Risk Register. Visit this National Mills Weekend to see heritage specialists demonstrating traditional skills including stonemasonry and roof tiling. There will also be creative performances from a local arts group.
Open Saturday 11 May, 10am - 3pm. Free entry.
7. Gavin's Mill, Milngavie, East Dunbartonshire
Gavin's Mill is a medieval cornmill, latterly also a sawmill, which was in use until a devastating fire in the 1960s. It now houses a shop dedicated to Fairtrade, zero waste and ethically sourced products and a vegetarian café. Visit on National Mills Weekend for a guided tour of the remaining machinery and the chance to chat with a retired miller. The waterwheel will also be running at scheduled times throughout the weekend.
Open Saturday 11 and Sunday 11 May, 10am - 4pm. Free entry.
