Bello Mill facts for kids

Bello Mill was an important mill in Scotland.

Bello Mill was an old mill from the 1700s located on the Lugar Water river in Ayrshire, Scotland. It was part of the large estate owned by James Boswell, who was known as Lord Auchinleck. This mill played a key role in the local community for many years, helping to process grains into flour and oatmeal.

Bello Mill: A Historic Scottish Mill

Bello Mill was a very important building in its time. Before it was rebuilt in the 1940s, it had three different sets of large grinding stones. One set was used for rough grinding, and the other two sets were specifically for grinding oatmeal, which was a common food in Scotland.

The Birthplace of an Inventor

Right next to Bello Mill is Bello Mill Cottage. This cottage is famous because it's the birthplace of William Murdoch, who was born there in 1754. William Murdoch was a brilliant inventor! He is well-known for inventing gas lighting, which changed how towns and cities were lit at night. He also did many experiments with steam engines in a nearby place called Murdoch's Cave. William's father, John Murdoch, was the tenant and millwright at Bello Mill, meaning he managed the mill and kept its machinery working. John took over the mill in 1754, the same year William was born.

A Mill Ahead of Its Time

In 1760, John Murdoch made Bello Mill even more special. He installed the very first iron-toothed gears ever used in a mill in Britain! These special gears were made at Carron's Foundry in Falkirk. Because of these advanced gears, Bello Mill became the most technologically advanced mill in the entire United Kingdom at that time. It was a true example of early engineering innovation.

What Happened to Bello Mill?

Bello Mill was used for grinding grain until the 1960s. Today, the mill building is no longer complete. Its roof is missing, and parts of it are in danger of falling into the river. However, you can still see some of the original iron gears, which are a reminder of its important past. The nearby Bello Mill Cottage, where William Murdoch was born, is still lived in today.