Outlander mill grinds grain for the first time in 30 years

An East Lothian mill that featured in the first season of hit TV show Outlander has begun to grind grain again for the first time in 30 years.

Preston Mill sits on the River Tyne in East Linton and the current structure was built in the 18th Century.

After a series of repairs to the waterwheel and conservation work on other parts of the mill, it is now back in operation.

The National Trust for Scotland (NTS) said the work was initially funded by a "generous donor" whose support from the beginning made the rest of the project possible.

They refused to reveal the identity of the donor or the amount of money they donated.

The NTS said that donors have previously helped pay for and fund repairs need for the mill.

Outlander fans also helped to raise money for mill repairs.

It featured in an episode that shows lead character Jamie Fraser - played by Scottish actor Sam Heughan - repairing the waterwheel.

The earliest record of repairs taking place at the site date back to 1598, however the NTS say that there are indications that a mill might have existed there from as early as the 13th Century.

The current waterwheel is powered by the River Tyne and was installed in 1909.

Preston Mill then came into the the care of the NTS in 1950 and was operated commercially until 1959.

The mill has not been able to grind grain for several decades.

Fraser MacDonald, a visitor services supervisor at Preston Mill, said visitors had previously been able to see the mill operating but it was unable to grind grain because the French Burr millstones were too worn.

He said restoration work carried out last year allowed the stones to be repaired and used again for milling.

"The millstones are made from French Burr, a type of freshwater quartz that is highly prized for milling," he said.

"Our stones had been separated since the 1990s and were worn completely flat, but the dressing restoration has allowed them to be put back together for milling once again."

Stuart Maxwell, a regional director at the National Trust for Scotland, said mills like Preston Mill were central to their communities and help tell the story of rural life in East Lothian from the 18th to early 20th Centuries.

Maxwell said: "With continued investment, these places can keep telling their stories for centuries to come. We hope that visitors will enjoy seeing real milling demonstrations again for the first time in decades and continue to support our vital conservation work."

Milling demonstrations are planned for National Mills Weekend on the 9 and 10 May.