Maree Todd 'thrilled' by transformation at historic John O’Groats Mill
Maree Todd has praised the team working to bring the historic John O’Groats Mill back into use as a heritage attraction and community venue.
The SNP MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross paid a visit to the category “B” listed mill complex ahead of its major renovation.
Earlier this year, the National Lottery Heritage Fund awarded almost £1.6 million in funding to the John O’Groats Mill Trust and it has also received £1.5 million from the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund.
Ms Todd said: “I’m thrilled to have had the opportunity to visit John O’Groats Mill ahead of its upcoming renovation, which will see the building transformed into a community hub and visitor attraction.
“The building is rich with heritage. It was the last water-powered mill to be built in Scotland, with milling operations continuing up until just 20 years ago.
"I was fascinated to look through various artefacts from the mill’s operational days and to learn how it also served as a gathering space. It’s fitting that on completion the space will once again serve as a hub for the local community, while also contributing culturally and economically to the local area.”
Ms Todd added: “I’m delighted that the John O’Groats Mill Trust has successfully secured funding from key partners, including the Scottish Government and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
“A huge well done to the trust for its efforts in bringing this ambitious project to fruition. I’m looking forward to returning once the development work is completed.”
The mill trust also received £300,000 as a share of more than £2 million from the UK government's Community Ownership Fund.
Speaking earlier this year, mill Trust chairman Rognvald Brown said: “Our mill is particularly special as all the machinery is intact and in working order, our project includes any necessary repairs so we can keep it that way, and this important piece of rural industrial heritage will once more support the local economy and can become accessible to all."
The mill was in operation until around 2001 when Magnus Houston last worked it. In 2020 the mill keys were presented to the trust by Sina Houston, ending the Houston family connection going back some 270 years through six generations.
Since then the trust has been working with a design team of architects and engineers to develop its plans.
