Dounby Click Mill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dounby Click Mill |
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| Type | Watermill |
| Location | Dounby |
| OS grid reference | HY 32541 22853 |
| Area | Mainland, Orkney |
| Built | 19th Century |
| Owner | Historic Environment Scotland |
| Official name: Click Mill | |
| Designated | 31 May 1994 |
| Reference no. | SM90076 |
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Dounby Click Mill is a special old mill found on the Mainland of Orkney, a group of islands in Scotland. It's the very last "Norse" watermill in Orkney that still works today! This mill is a great example of how people used to grind grain a long time ago.
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Discovering Dounby Click Mill
Dounby Click Mill is unique because of its design. It's built with strong drystone walls. These are walls made from stones fitted together without any cement. The roof is also special, covered with flat flagstones and turf (grass and soil).
What makes this mill really clever is how it works. Unlike many mills, it doesn't need complicated gears. The big millstones sit right above the water wheel. They are connected to the same shaft, which is like a strong rod. When the water wheel spins, the millstones spin too, grinding the grain.
This type of mill is called a "horizontal" mill. It is also known as a "Norse" mill. This name comes from the way the water wheel lies flat. It's a very old design, used for hundreds of years.
How the Mill Works
The Dounby Click Mill uses the power of flowing water. Water is directed into the mill through a channel. It then hits the blades of the horizontal water wheel. This makes the wheel spin very fast.
Because the millstones are directly above the wheel, they also spin. The grain is fed between these spinning stones. The stones rub together, crushing the grain into flour. This simple system was very effective for grinding grain.
The mill's design is very clever. It avoids the need for complex machinery. This made it easier to build and maintain. It shows how people in the past used natural resources wisely.
History of the Mill
Dounby Click Mill was built in the 19th century. It served the local community in Orkney. Farmers would bring their grain here to be ground into flour. This was an important service for daily life.
Over time, newer, more modern mills were built. These mills often used different power sources or more complex designs. Many old mills like Dounby Click Mill stopped working. They fell into disrepair.
However, Dounby Click Mill was saved. It was restored by Historic Environment Scotland. This organization looks after important historical sites. They made sure the mill could work again.
Visiting the Mill Today
Today, Dounby Click Mill is owned by Historic Environment Scotland. It is a "Scheduled monument." This means it is a very important historical site. It is protected by law.
Visitors can come and see this amazing piece of history. It helps us understand how people lived and worked long ago. It's a great way to learn about old technology. The mill is a reminder of Orkney's rich past.
It shows us how clever people were at using nature's power. The mill stands as a working example of a traditional Norse watermill. It is a unique part of Scotland's heritage.
