Skye, Romesdal Mill

Romesdal Mill, James Gillespie Graham, 1802 The best-preserved of Gillespie Graham's watermills for Lord Macdonald (all now ruinous or lost; this one ceased use in 1915), comprising three compartments, including a kiln. The mill wheel and lade survive on the north gable. For more on milling in the Hebrides.

[The use of querns was outlawed so that people were obliged to make use of their landlords' mills. However, in 1833 Alexander Mackenzie reported that 'nearly all the meal mills that used, in great numbers, to be constantly employed 20 to 50 years ago, have fallen into decay or are lying completely idle in consequence of the evictions and of the best portions of the Island having been laid waste to make room for large sheep farms. These silent and dilapidated buildings now proclaim the sad truth respecting the once prosperous inhabitants of the famous and soldier-producing island more eloquently than pen can record'.]

Taken from "Western Seaboard: An Illustrated Architectural Guide", by Mary Miers, 2008. Published by the Rutland Press http://www.rias.org.uk

Former watermill with later extensions, retaining various workings and machinery including the mill wheel, a lade at the north gable, and the remains of a kiln.

The best-preserved of Gillespie Graham's watermills for Lord Macdonald (all now ruinous or lost; this one ceased use in 1915), comprising three compartments, including a kiln. The mill wheel and lade survive on the north gable. (M Miers)