Preston Mill & Phantassie Doocot teacher information

Preston Mill is one of the oldest water-driven meal mills in Scotland. There has been a mill on this site for centuries, and it was last in operation commercially as late as 1959.

A century ago, many mills operated along the River Tyne, serving the farmlands of East Lothian, but most have disappeared.

The mill comprises three pan-tiled buildings: the visitor centre, which was once a granary and stable; the conical-roofed kiln, for drying the corn; and the watermill, containing the machinery for grinding the corn. The water system is still in place. A large iron waterwheel (believed to have been produced by Alexander Mathers & Son in Edinburgh around 1910) powers the machinery. There is an exhibition on milling, with archive images and recordings, in the visitor centre.

Phantassie Doocot is a 15-minute walk from the mill along a well-marked track. It contains nesting boxes once used for 550 birds. The walk connects to a food theme – from the mill to arable fields to the doocot. You can also opt to follow a footpath around the field and beside the river, for a longer walk. (the path is part of the John Muir Way, named after ‘The Father of Conservation’ who lived in Dunbar as a child). A monument to engineer John Rennie is a few minutes’ walk beyond the doocot.

The school visit offers opportunities for cross-curricular work and engaging with the Curriculum for Excellence. A guided tour of the mill demonstrates the machinery and explains the processes. Tours can be adapted to suit the requirements of your class. You can also visit the Preston Mill exhibition and enjoy a teacher-led walk to Phantassie Doocot.

Possible topics

Trees and plants (seasons, wildlife and nature conservation).
Milling and industrial life (Andrew Meikle, Millwright and Inventor & John Rennie, Civil Engineer, have links to Preston Mill).
Food (agriculture, control of natural resources).
Sustainability (food miles, hydropower).
History (development of machines, social history, the mill and its community)
Art subject (composition of landscape and buildings, historic artists)

Resources for schools

Illustrated guidebook (for sale on site)
Exhibition about Preston Mill and milling

Planning your class visit

To book, please email prestonmill@nts.org.uk or telephone the Preston Mill property supervisor at 01620 860426.
Book well in advance to avoid disappointment.
Preston Mill is open for schools during the season. Please check the precise timings with the property manager. We are happy to adjust tours to your needs.
Maximum class size: 30 pupils, with a ratio of 1 teacher/adult to 6 pupils recommended for the mill.
Teachers can lead a walk to Phantassie Doocot. The walk includes steps to a footbridge and grass/muddy paths (not accessible).
Access: We regret that this historic mill is not accessible for wheelchair users. The exhibition, shop, and picnic site are accessible, as is the ground floor of the mill. There are steps to the upper floor. There are gravel paths around the mill. Please phone to discuss your requirements — we will do our utmost to accommodate your pupils.
Parking: The car park is suitable for small coaches and minibuses. Large coaches should drop off at the top of the drive — please check when booking your visit.
Public Transport. Buses run to East Linton and East Linton train station, which is about a 15-minute walk from the mill.
Toilets: there is a toilet on site that includes accessible facilities.
Refreshments: pupils are welcome to picnic here. In wet weather, you may shelter in the visitor centre. You are welcome to refill water bottles.
Clothing: pupils should be dressed appropriately for the outdoors.
The site has been risk-assessed. Teachers should prepare their own risk assessment for the visit.
For further information on the site, please see the Preston Mill property page.

Charges

For the latest charges, please contact the property. Young Scot cardholders currently get access to Trust properties for £1.
All class teachers are encouraged to make a free preparatory visit to the site.

During your class visit

On arrival: please report to reception in the visitor centre.
Tours of the mill are always led by Trust staff.
SAFETY FIRST: please be aware that Preston Mill is a very old building with uneven floors and steps, some low beams and working machinery it can be dark inside and the grounds can be slippery in wet conditions– so extra care is needed.
A mill tour takes around 45-60 minutes.
A class will be split into groups – each group must be accompanied by a teacher/school helper. The number of groups depends on the class size and activities booked (could be 3–4). Tours inside the mill are limited to a maximum of 10 visitors. Please check when booking your visit.
Teachers are responsible for their pupils and their behaviour.
Schools may take photos/films but please get permission before photographing people.
Pupils are welcome to visit the shop, in small groups and with teacher supervision.