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Monday, 26 July 2004 |
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This is a good example of the local community caring for an historic site in their local environment that would otherwise be lost. They have done this by setting up an organisation specifically to renovate and maintain the Grain Kiln building.
Overview
PROJECT SUMMARY
This is a good example of the local community caring for an historic site in their local environment that would otherwise be lost. They have done this by setting up an organisation specifically to renovate and maintain the building. In the process they have made it accessible to the local community and the public as an educational facility. This particular part of the project dealt with the thatching of the two buildings.
FUNDING
The funding provided by Forward Scotland was 25.2% of the total capital costs of the thatching project. There are no revenue costs, and donations from visitors may be expected to help meet limited running costs.
THEMATIC CRITERIA
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Conservation; Education; Local Amenity
Plan
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The Norse Mill Society has the objective to advance the education of the public about how grain was milled in the Island of Lewis. The objectives of this project were:
- To refurbish the horizontal grain mill & grain kiln in order to give children, local people and visitors knowledge of how meal was produced traditionally in crofting communities.
- To encourage people to walk in the open spaces of the Hebrides and enjoy a small-scale cultural site.
- To make people aware of how grain was processed in environmentally friendly ways.
- To heighten awareness of a self-sufficient and sufficient rural life and of some of the implements utilized.
Stage one was the re-thatching of the Norse mill and kiln. These are two thatched buildings by a stream. One is a horizontal 'Norse' mill. Such mills were used in producing meal in self-sufficient communities, using locally grown grain. This mill had been used up until the 1930s but had fallen into disrepair. The kiln is important as it dries the grain so that it is hard enough to be milled.
The Norse Mill Society rebuilt the mill and built the kiln beside it. Re-thatching has to be done about every three years. The buildings are open 7 days a week throughout the year as an educational resource. This is the only facility of mill and kiln in the North West of Scotland.
The refurbishment itself was a short-term (few weeks) long process. The refurbishment enabled a permanent attraction and environmental facility to be usable.
FUTURE STEPS
The site is continuing to be maintained with road-signs and low profile advertising in keeping with the site. The Society is seeking to maintain an historic site keeping its simplicity and do not plan extra developments.
Progress
A professional thatching family were commissioned to carry out the work. The Norse Mill Society, which manages the project, has been established for about 6 - 8 years and has 8 local people on the committee. It is a registered charity. People are recruited to membership by the activities of the group and by networking within the local crofting township.
EXTERNAL INVOLVEMENT AND SUPPORT
Key people from outside the society were community members, residents and schools, The Norse Mill Society and Forward Scotland.
Review
OUTPUTS
The primary output of this project has been the maintenance of a fully thatched Norse Mill and Kiln in the rural community of the Hebrides, providing visitor and educational opportunities.
OUTCOMES
The quality of the site has been enhanced by the thatching. About 2000 people a year visit the centre. The site is not staffed all of the time and has open access.
This site is an important educational resource for local schoolchildren and encourages an understanding of traditional methods of food production.
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