Preston Mill, Phantassie Doocot

Preston Mill East Lothian building pictures, Phantassie Doocot photo, Histroic Scottish architecture history

Preston Mill, East Lothian

Scottish Water Mill & Doocot on the River Tyne in East Linton, Scotland, UK

post updated 20 December 2023

Location: eastern edge of East Linton, on B1407, off A1, East Lothian

Apologies, full size images no longer online

Preston Mill (turn right just when leaving village)

Preston Mill East Linton Waterwheel Mill Scotland
Preston Mill photos © Adrian Welch

Preston Mill East Lothian

Phantassie Doocot (approx. 1 km walk south over river)

Phantassie Doocot East Linton Scottish Doocot
Phantassie Doocot photos © Adrian Welch

Address: Preston Mill, Preston Road, East Linton, East Lothian, EH40 3DS
Contact: +44 (0)1620 860426
[email protected]

According to The National Trust for Scotland (NTS) this historic East Linton building is an “architectural oddity” – with its distinctive Dutch style conical-roof – “beloved by artists and photographers”.

The structure was East Lothian’s last working water mill. A short walk from the mill south across the River Tyne reveals another unusual structure – the beehive-shaped Phantassie Doocot, with its French style horseshoe parapet, built in the 16th century to house 500 pigeons.

The present buildings date from the 18th century, although there has been a mill on this site since the 16th century.

The mill building was used commercially until 1959 and visitors can still experience the working machinery on a tour today. Ref. http://www.nts.org.uk/Property/Preston-Mill-and-Phantassie-Doocot/

This old watermill on the River Tyne is situated close to Prestonkirk Parish Church. Nearby are the Smeaton Hepburn Estate, Smeaton Lake, and Phantassie Doocot.

There has been a mill on the site since the 16th century. The current structure is protected by the state as a Category A listed building.

The present mill dates from the 18th century and is in the care of the National Trust for Scotland. It was used commercially until 1959, and it produced oatmeal.

The River Tyne still drives the water wheel, and the machinery can still be seen at work by visitors taking part in a tour. There is also an exhibition about milling, and a mill pond.

Edinburgh walking tours

Historic Buildings in Lothian

Key Buildings in East Lothian Articles – architectural selection below:

Hailes Castle – located close to East Linton, towards the south west

Craigmillar Castle – located on the periphery of south east Edinburgh

Crichton Castle – located far south of the Scottish capital city, in the Borders
Crichton Castle
photo © Adrian Welch

Dalhousie Castle – located just south of the Scottish capital

Lennoxlove House – located south of the historic market town of Haddington
tower building
photo © AW

Dunbar Castle

Comments / photos for the Preston Mill Architecture – Historic East Linton Building page welcome

National Trust for Scotland Website: www.nts.org.uk/visit/places