Timescale set for bringing John O'Groats Mill back into public use
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A HISTORIC Caithness mill could be back in public use in the next two years.
That is the timescale being looked at by the John O'Groats Mill Trust, which wants to turn the B-listed building into a social, educational and cultural centre.
The project is expected to cost between £1.5 million and £2m and should be completed by the end of 2021, according to trust chairman Rognvald Brown.
He said yesterday a planning application is to be submitted to Highland Council early next year. If approved, it is hoped work at the site will be under way by the end of 2020 with the disused mill, which dates back to the 18th century, open to the community the following year.
"We intend to put our plan to the council in the first three months of next year and if all goes well people should see something happening at the site by the end of next year and the mill back in public use by the end of 2021," Mr Brown said.
The trust has received £430,000 towards the cost of the project with just over £348,000 coming from the Scottish Land Fund. The rest of the money is expected to come from bodies such as the Big Lottery and the Scottish Government's Regeneration Capital Grant Fund. The trust is also raising money.
There is still a way to go and more funding will be needed to realise the mill’s full potential.
"We intend to be self-sustaining once we are up and running," said Mr Brown, who says the trust has received a lot of support from the community.
"Our success so far is just step one. There is still a way to go and more funding will be needed to realise the mill’s full potential."
An open weekend run by the trust was "a brilliant success", Mr Brown said. The event was organised as part of the annual Doors Open Days programme coordinated by the Scottish Civic Trust.
"Visitor numbers were close to 300," he said. "The atmosphere was enthusiastic and many folk left feedback which has been used to help shape the plans.
"The open weekend and the popularity of our stand at the Mey Games all add to the strength of our case. Just recently this has been boosted by the Co-op Local Community Fund which has chosen the John O'Groats Mill as one of its supported charities."
As part of the plan, two self-catering holiday cottages will be included on the 9.5-acre site and there will be new catering and toilet facilities created on the north side of the mill.
"We intend to restore the building to its former working condition and develop it as a visitor attraction and a social, educational, cultural and heritage hub, creating a number of employment, volunteering, training, and skills development opportunities," Mr Brown said. "The plan is to take the mill into community ownership and use it to fulfil a wide range of needs."
