Blair Atholl Watermill facts for kids
The logo of today's business, depicting the mill and its waterwheel
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 Location in Perth and Kinross
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| Current status | Tea room |
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| Coordinates | 56°45′53″N 3°50′50″W / 56.7647°N 3.84735°W |
| Construction | |
| Completed | c. 1830 |
| Renovated |
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The Blair Atholl Watermill is a very old and special building in Blair Atholl, Perth and Kinross, Scotland. It's known as Scotland's oldest working watermill! This mill was built around 1830. However, there has been a mill on this exact spot for a very long time, even since the 1590s.
After many years of grinding grain, the mill stopped working in 1929. It was then used as a storage building. In 1977, something exciting happened! A person named John Ridley, along with the last miller's assistant, decided to bring it back to life. The assistant could still remember how the mill worked from when it was active. In 1993, the mill was taken over by James and Mary Bruce. Today, this historic building is a lovely tea room, and it's now owned by the Bruces' children.
How the Mill Works
The Blair Atholl Watermill uses the power of water to make its big waterwheel spin. This power comes from the River Tilt. The mill can only operate when the river is "in full spate." This means the river needs to have a lot of water flowing very fast. When the river is strong, it pushes the waterwheel, which then powers the machinery inside the mill to grind grain. It's a great example of old technology using nature's power!
Gallery
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The mill building (left) and granary, 1980
