Jubilant Mearns volunteers today reached the end of “a long journey” as they were handed the keys to the “greatly missed” Mill of Benholm for just £1.
Trustees of the Mill of Benholm Enterprise group will now begin work towards reopening the historic mill.
The group aim to restore the A-listed building and resurrect it as a community hub as well as a visitor attraction shining a light on the region’s rich past.
A council decision today has kick-started their ambitious campaign, with one of the leaders telling us it’s “about time something is done with it”.
And they have a big responsibility when it comes to preserving the slice of local history.
It is believed that there has been a mill on the site going as far back as the 12th century, however this particular building dates back to 1817.
Oatmeal was produced there for hundreds of years until it eventually stopped in 1982.
What will happen to the Mill of Benholm?
The enterprise’s vision would see the site used for weddings, art exhibitions and other events.
Meanwhile, glamping pods could be set up on the grounds to allow visitors to stay.
Looking to the future, workshops and skills training would be offered too as it grinds back into life.
It is hoped the proposal will safeguard the historic site for “generations to come”.
‘If we all work together it can become a success’
Councillors on the Kincardine and Mearns area committee agreed to sell the council site for £1 earlier today.
Trustee Henning Wagner later told us it had been a “long journey” but hailed the outcome as a “great day” for the group.
He added: “Everyone agrees that it’s a fantastic site and it’s about time that something is getting done with it and it’s brought back to its old glory.
“The councillors were very supportive and gave us a few encouraging words.
“It was clear that both councillors and Aberdeenshire Council officers are keen to work together with us.
“If we all work together it can become a success.”
What happened to the historic mill?
The Mill of Benholm was previously purchased by Kincardine and Deeside Council back in 1986.
It received an extensive restoration during the 1990s and previously operated as a community facility and visitor attraction.
However, it closed in 2014 and has spent 10 years falling into decline.
A number of options have been looked at to re-open the site to visitors once again but none have come to fruition.
But The Mill of Benholm Enterprise has already been working hard to ensure the site doesn’t fall into further deterioration.
The group managed to hire a specialist firm to clear overgrowth in the pond.
What next for mill plans?
Now that the asset transfer has been approved, the trustees plan to carry out work on the mill site in two phases.
The first steps would see immediate repairs to the buildings carried out to ensure the site is safe to open up to the public.
Work would also be undertaken on the water structures, including the historic mill wheel, to prevent any risk of it being lost.
Once this is done, trustees hope to get the wheel moving again so the site can be used for demonstrations and educational purposes.
This first phase could cost £189,000.
The enterprise will generate money for the site by hosting events such as car boot sales and charging camper vans for overnight stays in the car park.
Cash could also be collected through a mobile catering van and hosting events in the courtyard, and the group have already applied for money through various funding schemes.
Depending on how that goes, the first phase of works could take up to three years to complete.
Trustees praised for ‘drive and determination’
Under phase two, restoration work on the buildings would continue along with various enhancements on the site.
This would include installing electrical charging points for cars, facilities for overnight camper vans, and renewable energy sources such as solar panels.
Meanwhile a cafe would be created along with indoor and outdoor spaces that would be let out for events.
Volunteers also aim to reach out to VisitAberdeenshire and the Scottish Community Tourism Organisation to promote the historic site as a visitor destination.
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