Did you know
The last working mill.
Preston Mill ground grain until 1959, the last working watermill in the region.
Lothian
Preston Mill
A picturesque watermill with a Dutch-style conical roof on the River Tyne at East Linton, working until 1959, with a doocot and Outlander connections.
Welcome
On the banks of the River Tyne at East Linton stands one of the best-loved buildings in East Lothian.
Visited and photographed by Simon Hird
Preston Mill is a watermill of red stone with a curious conical roof of pantiles on its old kiln, a Dutch-style oddity that has long delighted painters, and its reflection in the millpond is a picture in itself.
It ground grain until 1959, the last working watermill in the region. On a guided tour you can see and hear the machinery turning and learn about the hard lives of the millers, with their heavy sacks, floods, mice and dust. Outlander fans may recognise it as the mill on the Fraser estate at Lallybroch.
A walk beside the river, where you may spot kingfishers, herons and mergansers, leads to Phantassie Doocot, a round stone dovecote built in the 16th century for five hundred pigeons. The mill is cared for by the National Trust for Scotland and opens from Thursday to Monday.
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Before you go
Guided tours Thursday to Monday, at 10.30am, noon, 1.30pm and 3pm; closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
- Where
- East Linton, EH40 3DS.
- Working until
- 1959.
- Also
- Phantassie Doocot.
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Add your reviewDid you know
Did you know
Five hundred pigeons.
Phantassie Doocot, across the river, was built in the 16th century to house 500 pigeons.
Hidden Scotland
From our guide to Lothian
On the banks of the Tyne at East Linton, Preston Mill has been delighting painters for generations. Its red stone kiln wears a conical roof of pantiles in the Dutch style, and the whole building sits reflected in the millpond. It ground grain until 1959. On a guided tour you see the machinery turning and hear about the millers' hard lives, from heavy sacks to floods and mice. Outlander fans may know it as the mill at Lallybroch. A riverside path leads on to Phantassie Doocot, a round dovecote of the 16th century built for five hundred pigeons.
Read moreWhat is on
What is new across Lothian, day by day.
New places, news and stories, as we find them.
What is on in LothianWhere it is
On the River Tyne at East Linton, EH40 3DS.
Close byEast Linton.
Night Owl BooksUnder a mile as the crow flies
Hailes CastleThe castle ruins along the Tyne.2 miles 6 min by road
The Brand Family LarderThe farm shop at East Fortune Farm in East Lothian, selling the Brand family's own lamb, pork and eggs alongside food from local makers.3 miles as the crow flies
Tyninghame LinksA long, quiet sweep of sand known as Ravensheugh Sands, reached through the pinewoods of Tyninghame, with the Bass Rock out to sea.3 miles 8 min by road
National Museum of FlightThe aircraft at East Fortune.5 miles 14 min by road
Hopetoun MonumentThe tower above Haddington.8 miles 13 min by road
Stay nearby
Places to stay near the mill, and when each is next free.
Blue Cabin by the Sea- Sleeps 4
- In Cockburnspath
- 12 miles from Preston Mill
The Old Stable- Sleeps 2
- In Pittenweem
- 16 miles from Preston Mill
The Crow’s Nest- Sleeps 4
- In Pittenweem
- 16 miles from Preston Mill
Fifies- Sleeps 2
- In Pittenweem
- 16 miles from Preston Mill
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Scotland, in print.
We want to show you the best that Scotland has to offer. The makers and the creatives, the enduring experiences, the evocative tales, the concealed corners. The roads less travelled that take you to places that matter. The adventures that gather you up and sweep you away. The blend of the wild and the artistic that makes Scotland what it is. We’d love for you to join us.
Read on
The collections it is in and more in Lothian.
Find out more
For further reading, before you go. The details on this page were checked on .
- Preston MillTours, prices and the doocot.nts.org.ukNational Trust for Scotland↗
- Preston Mill on GoogleHours and directions.google.comGoogle↗
- Hailes CastleA castle along the river.historicenvironment.scotHistoric Environment Scotland↗
- Hopetoun MonumentA hill and a view.visiteastlothian.orgVisit East Lothian↗