The 130-year-old Garrabost Mill is entering a critical stage of its restoration and development project as work moves from the safeguarding of its buildings to the creation of a heritage destination for visitors, both tourist and local.
The Mill buildings and site are owned by Garrabost Mill Trust (GMT), a charitable organisation initially established for the preservation of the Mill site, other Garrabost buildings and items of historical interest. The Trust has recently received further funding of £83,000 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). This additional funding has been matched by community-owned wind farm charity, Point and Sandwick Trust (PST).
Garrabost Mill Trust Chairman, Calum Graham, commented, “Garrabost Mill Trust have plans to develop the whole site as a crofting community heritage centre, building on the significant structural preservation and development work that has been completed to date. The core purpose of our work in developing a heritage centre is to provide an illustrative and informative account of the lived experience of crofting, fishing, weaving, industrial enterprises, military and Merchant Navy service, and other activities, here in Garrabost. All such activities have been part and parcel of everyday life through the ages in this community as a crofting township in the Western Isles. Our objective is to deliver an exciting, informative experience to visitors, be they locals or tourists”.
He continues, “Without the commitment of PST and its initial financial input, the purchase of the Mill and its outbuildings by Garrabost Mill Trust would not have been remotely possible. The additional funding from PST and HIE to date has been vital to our delivering of the project, and we remain grateful to all our funders for their support. Without the avowed support and commitment of PST, this exciting project would not have been feasible”.
The 19th century Mill came into community ownership in January 2023 and has since undergone significant work with re-roofing, improved access, safeguarding the buildings and improvements to the site at large.
PST Community Consultant, Alasdair Nicholson, who has been involved in supporting the work of GMT from the beginning of the project, added, “During the restoration work the project has created work for a number of local trades including Lewis Builders, Karen Mackay Design, Ivor Murrays and looking ahead, there will be further opportunities to create new social enterprise employment located at the mill and as tourist guides working with other community groups in the area. This will no doubt help encourage and facilitate more community entrepreneurship and further grow the reputation of Point and Sandwick as an innovative, ‘can do’ place to live and work”.
Natalie Campbell, Head of Enterprise Support at HIE, said, “This project is a great example of community-driven tourism, deeply rooted in crofting and local cultural heritage. The initial phase, which we were delighted to support, successfully transformed the external appearance of the mill and its outbuildings and the results are impressive.
“This second phase aims to enhance the site’s readiness to welcome visitors. It’s a tremendous initiative that will create jobs and preserve historic buildings in a community where Gaelic is an integral part of daily life. We are looking forward to seeing the project taking shape.”
The Garrabost Mill was in commercial operation, milling barley and oatmeal for local crofting communities between 1893 and 1956 and, once fully restored, will offer a unique insight into the lives of the crofting community in Lewis. The completed site will include visitor access to the restored mill, its operational mill wheel and meal drying floor, with dedicated artwork and visual content reflecting the history of the mill, crofting and early industrial activity in the area. The outbuildings, built from original Garrabost brick have also been restored and will house, among other items, an operational tweed loom, a working model T Ford.
A commitment totalling £660,686 has been made to the restoration works including the latest funding of £83,137 respectively from HIE and PST. Other funders include Architectural Heritage Fund, Crown Estates Funding and Third Sector Hebrides via Landfill grant.
Pictured top L-R: DJ MacSween(PST), Alasdair Nicholson(PST), Norman Mackenzie(PST), Calum Graham (GMT), Kathleen Stewart (HIE) and Tony Robson (PST).
Pictured middle: Restoration work at the Mill has been ongoing.
Pictured bottom: Tony Robson (PST) and Kathleen Stewart (HIE) inspect the Mill wheel.
All photo courtesy of SandiePhotos.
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