Norse or Click Mills
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Huxter Mills, Shetland
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This
is a group of three small mills built along a steeply
flowing burn before it falls into the sea. Each mill is
built across the burn which had sluice gates which could
divert the flow of water when the mill was not in use.
The last mill was in use until the 1940s. Each mill was
looked after by three families and could also be used to
grind flour for other people. It is estimated a mill could
grind a bushel of grain an hour, which is probably the
equivalent of 45lb of flour. ![]() ![]() The mills were worked by horizontal paddles with nine blades. The paddle could be raised or lowered using a metal rod or ‘lifting tree’ to alter the height of the upper millstone. After passing through the paddles, the water runs out of the mill to rejoin the watercourse and the next mill. ![]() ![]() One mill is currently being restored. There is no car access to the mills. They are reached on foot from the end of the unclassified road from Melby to Huxter. There is parking at the road end. The nearest post code is ZE2 9PL and the grid reference is HU 173571. |
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