Benholm Mill, mill in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, UK
Benholm Mill is an old watermill in Aberdeenshire standing beside a pond with a dam and stream that powered its water wheel. The two-story stone building with slate roof has an L-shape, and several smaller stone structures nearby were used for grain storage and maintenance work.
The mill likely existed as early as the 12th century, with a 1492 charter mentioning it as part of local lands, later controlled by powerful families like the Lundys and Keiths. Most buildings date to the Victorian period, the mill was rebuilt in 1817 and continued grinding oats until 1982, when the local council began restoration work in 1986.
The mill served as the heart of the local community for centuries, processing grain that fed nearby families and workers. Today visitors can sense how central it was to daily life in the area, with its structures and machinery telling the story of ordinary people who depended on water power.
The site is easily accessible from the A92 Coastal Road with a clearly marked car park, and it is about 150 meters (490 feet) on foot to the mill buildings and café. Dogs are welcome but must stay on a lead, and motorhomes can overnight park for a fee with details posted at the car park.
An old millstone fragment was discovered in the water near the mill and may date back to the medieval period, suggesting a horizontal or Norse mill once operated there. This discovery indicates that water-powered grinding in Scotland has an even deeper history than previously understood.
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