Novel plan to raise cash for Knockando mill’s revival
Cash donors’ names will be inscribed on some traditional features
Published:
People in Moray will have the chance to leave a lasting mark on the UK’s oldest operating district woollen mill.
The Knockando Woolmill at Knockando, Aberlour, is holding an open day tomorrow to officially launch its public appeal to raise £200,000 for restoration works.
Donations are needed to help restore some of the 18th-century building’s equipment, and sponsors could have their names engraved on some of the mill’s traditional features.
The project has already been awarded £1.3million from the Heritage Lottery Fund, £280,000 from Historic Scotland, and a further £100,00 from Moray Council and the Gannochy Trust.
Another £200,000 is needed from the public to restore some of the original machinery.
Knockando Woolmill Trust chairwoman Jana Hutt said efforts are being made to raise the cash by Christmas.
She said: “We’re doing this mostly because it’s the last mill of its kind in the UK, and the fact that it’s still working. We are not just making it into some sort of museum, we want to keep it working.
“We want everybody to have a stake in it so sponsoring a unique part of it, big or small, will really help.”
Sponsorship is needed to replace 40 paddles on the old water wheel and the trust is giving individuals and businesses the opportunity to have their names engraved on the paddles for £1,000 each.
The trust is also promising inscriptions to those who can offer donations to repair two historic looms at a cost of £5,000 each.
Smaller donations are needed for teasels, bobbins and spindles.
Cloth has been manufactured at the woollen mill since 1784 and, despite the A-listed buildings’ decline into disrepair, current weaver Hugh Jones has single-handedly run the mill and produced tweed and rugs for 30 years.
It is hoped that, after renovations are completed, a further 10 staff will be employed who can learn from Mr Jones before he retires, and carry on the mill’s long tradition.
At tomorrow’s open day, Mr Jones will be creating 50 limited-edition Knockando rugs for sale that are based on the Knockando Estate tweed.
There will also be a hand-spinning demonstration and exhibition of plans for the mill, and teas will be served in the Margach Hall.
The open day will run from 10am to 5pm, and all are welcome.
For further details, visit www.knockandowoolmill. org.uk.
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