Caithness Map :: Links to Site Map Great value Unlimited Broadband from an award winning provider  

 

North Mill Project An Example Of How To Attract Funding Into Region

10th July 2024

Photograph of North Mill Project An Example Of How To Attract Funding Into Region

A £4.9m project in Caithness to restore one of the last water-powered grain mills in Scotland has been hailed as a great example of how funding can be used to leverage more investment into the region.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) approved a £250,000 contribution to the project led by the John O'Groats Mill Trust to restore the disused John O'Groats Mill, which it acquired in 2020 along with two adjacent holiday cottages and 9.5 acres of land.

The HIE contribution completed the funding package by leveraging a further £3.6m national investment from the Heritage Lottery Fund (£1.6m), Scottish Government (£1.5m), and Historic Environment Scotland (£0.5m).

SSE Highland Sustainable Fund, Stroupster Windfarm, and Wolfson Foundation have also provided funding for the project.

Eann Sinclair, HIE’s area manager for Caithness and Sutherland, said:

"In the context of very challenging public sector budgets, we have to work extra hard to secure additional investment into the region. This project is a great example of where our relatively modest contribution was able to complete the funding package and attract significant additional investment from public and private sector sources."

The mill is around a mile from John O’Groats village and straddles the A836 on the North Coast 500 route. After acquiring the asset, the Trust installed a path between the mill and the John O’Groats car park to improve links with the village. It has also been generating income from the cottages.

This latest project to restore the Grade 2 listed mill will create a social and heritage hub for the local community as well as a new tourist attraction to encourage visitors to stay longer in the area. It will support local jobs, during the renovation and then later in operating the new centre, and make a valuable contribution to the local economy.

Local contractor O’Brien Construction is carrying out the work on the mill, which will take around a year to complete. Where possible, the firm is using natural materials and traditional construction methods.

A part of the project, the water wheel system that powers the mill’s machinery is being repaired and, once complete, will be used to help visitors find out more about this form of renewable energy.

The John O’Groats Mill Trust is closely aligned to the John O’Groats Development Trust, complementing activity to realise local ambitions.

Rognvald Brown, Chairman of the John O'Groats Mill Trust, said:

"Works on site have been continuing at a rapid pace, but that does not mean that we have skimped on quality.  The whole project is being done to a high conservation standard in order to preserve the existing heritage whilst making it accessible to future generations. 

“This work, which is employing a local construction company, would not be possible without the support from our funders including Highlands and Islands Enterprise who helped us close the final gap in our funding package."

Eann Sinclair added, "This community-led project is a vital addition to the suite of investments that over the past 15 years have transformed the area through the John O’Groats Masterplan. When we led the regeneration of the land around the former John O Groats House Hotel in 2009 few predicted the number of new businesses that would subsequently locate to the iconic harbour area. The physical connection between the Mill complex and the revitalised harbour area further enhances the John O Groats brand and we hope it may lead to further development potential in the coming years.”

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

Scottish Aquaculture Industry Gears Up For Aqua Nor 2025Thumbnail for article : Scottish Aquaculture Industry Gears Up For Aqua Nor 2025
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) will return to Norway to host the Scottish Pavilion at Aqua Nor 2025.  The Scottish aquaculture supply chain is invited to register their interest to exhibit as part of the pavilion or join the wider Scottish delegation.  
Dounreay Engineer Wins Young Chemical Engineer Of The YearThumbnail for article : Dounreay Engineer Wins Young Chemical Engineer Of The Year
A young engineer working on Britain's deepest nuclear clean-up project has been recognised by the Institute of Chemical Engineers (IChemE).   Liam Gordon (27) won the Young Chemical Engineer of the Year award at the annual showcase event of the Aberdeen branch of IChemE, the professional body for chemical engineers in the UK.  
New Support Programme Launched For Food And Drink SectorThumbnail for article : New Support Programme Launched For Food And Drink Sector
Food and Drink TechHUB will provide financial and advice support to help businesses, including social and community enterprises, with commercial growth and net zero transition activities.   Small to medium sized enterprises in the Highland Council area that operate in the food and drink sector and its supply chain are expected to benefit from a new programme of support launched his week.  
Grants To Help Businesses And Social Enterprises Cut CarbonThumbnail for article : Grants To Help Businesses And Social Enterprises Cut Carbon
Businesses and social enterprises in the Highlands and Islands looking to reduce the environmental impacts of their operations can now apply to a new Green Grant Fund launched on Thursday 26 September 2024.   The three-year £2.7m fund was developed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).  
HIE Invests In Community Assets In Shetland's Outer IslesThumbnail for article : HIE Invests In Community Assets In Shetland's Outer Isles
A boating club in Unst, a former kirk in Whalsay and a community hall in Fetlar are among projects supported by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to generate income, provide vital services and create jobs in Shetland's outer isles.   Facilities at the Unst Boating Club are being upgraded to become more energy efficient and accessible to visitors and local people.  
New Fund Announced To Support Growth In Life Sciences SectorThumbnail for article : New Fund Announced To Support Growth In Life Sciences Sector
Up to 50% match funding grants of between £25,000 and £75,000 to help companies accelerate their growth plans.   Life sciences businesses in the Highlands and Islands that are looking to invest in capital growth projects will be able to apply for support through a new fund announced today (18 September).  
John O'Groats Marks 15 Years Of Remarkable TransformationThumbnail for article : John O'Groats Marks 15 Years Of Remarkable Transformation
The transformation at John O'Groats has attracted millions of pounds in investment through private, public and community-led initiatives.   Monday 9 September 2024 marked the 15th anniversary of a masterplan that has helped to transform John O'Groats from ‘Carbuncle of the Year' to a thriving visitor attraction.  
Susan Smith The Chief Executive Of Cairngorm Mountain Scotland Ltd Is RetiringThumbnail for article : Susan Smith The Chief Executive Of Cairngorm Mountain Scotland Ltd Is Retiring
The chief executive of Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Ltd (CMSL) has announced that she is retiring later this month.   Susan Smith, who has held the top job at the popular mountain resort near Aviemore for the past five years, has told staff she will leave the company at the end of September.  
5/9/2024
Caithness-based Engineering Firm Envision Engineering & Design Ltd Goes For Growth With Latest New EquipmentThumbnail for article : Caithness-based Engineering Firm Envision Engineering & Design Ltd Goes For Growth With Latest New Equipment
Caithness-based engineering firm Envision Engineering & Design Ltd is investing in new technology that will help increase business turnover and productivity while cutting carbon emissions.   The company has purchased a Leica Geosystems mobile 3D scanner after securing a £6,390 investment from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) towards the total cost of £21,300.  
A £5.9m Project To Create A New Whisky Distillery Within The Former Derelict Mill At Castletown In CaithnessThumbnail for article : A £5.9m Project To Create A New Whisky Distillery Within The Former Derelict Mill At Castletown In Caithness
A £5.9m project to create a new whisky distillery within the former derelict Mill at Castletown in Caithness has secured a £250,000 investment from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).   Dunnet Bay Distillers Limited (DBDL) is leading the project, which will create 13 jobs.