Balnakeil Mill

Heritage listing

Category B Date Added 07/03/1984 Supplementary Information Updated 18/05/2007 Local Authority Highland Planning Authority Highland Parish Durness NGR NC 39144 68570 Coordinates 239144, 968570 — Early 19th century. 2-storey, rectangular-plan, gabled former water-pwered grain mill situated on sloping site with man-made embankment to 1st-floor entrance at rear. Roughly coursed rubble with sandstone dressings. Long and short quoins and window margins. Principle elevation to NE with central door and window to right. Entrance doorway with piended roof breaking eaves to rear (SW) elevation. Irregular fenestration to gables; opening for water wheel shaft at lower ground floor to SW gable; small opening above right and further central opening at 1st floor. Ashlar-coped skews. Graded grey Scottish slate. Flue aperture in ridge to N for kiln. INTERIOR: significant remains of grinding machinery and gear cupboard situated at ground floor to S end of the mill with mill wheels, set in timber frame, located in floor directly above. Circular, stone-lined kiln with sloping sides to Nothern end. Gear cupboard with wooden bridge piece, grain shoot and surrounding wooden partitions in situ. Some spur gear machinery survives including wooden mill-stone drive wheel, belt-drive wheels and iron cogs. Stone flags to floor. Roof timbers and beams reinforced with additional timbers along E side. MILL LADE: concrete and stone lined lade (now partially ruinous) runs from Loch Croispol to S with narrower section running along E side of mill towards Balnakeil House. — A-Group with Balnakeil House (see separate listing). Balnakeil mill is a rare surviving example of an early 19th century water powered threshing mill with kiln retaining much of its former context as well as a considerable amount of inte

From Historic Environment Scotland under OGL v3.