Dounby Click Mill

The Dounby Click Mill features stone walls, flagstone roofing, and a tirl structure containing two rows of twelve paddle blades for grain grinding operations.

Built around 1825, this watermill stands as the final operational horizontal mill in Orkney, receiving scheduled monument status from Historic Environment Scotland in 1994.

The mill demonstrates traditional Scottish agricultural methods through its direct-drive mechanism, where millstones mount directly above the wheel on the same shaft.

Located 500 meters east-southeast of Eastabist in Dounby, the mill processed approximately 250 kilograms of grain per hour during its operational period.

The mill required engineering modifications to maintain water supply after 1920s quarrying activities affected its original water source, leading to the installation of piped systems.

Location: Orkney Islands

Location: Birsay and Harray

GPS coordinates: 59.08720,-3.17894

Latest update: June 3, 2025 10:05