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 photos © Adrian Welch
Preston Mill East Lothian
Phantassie Doocot (approx. 1 km walk south over river)
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.
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
photo © Adrian Welch
Dalhousie Castle – located just south of the Scottish capital
Lennoxlove House – located south of the historic market town of Haddington
photo © AW
Comments / photos for the Preston Mill Architecture – Historic East Linton Building page welcome
National Trust for Scotland Website: www.nts.org.uk/visit/places
