The
drying kiln and small mill were in use until the 1930s and
have been carefully reconstructed. They have dry stone walls
and a traditionally thatched roof which is roped down around
the twin crowsticks at either end of the building. Stones
help hold everything in place.
Drying grain for milling was always a problem in the damp
climate of the Western Isles. Many crofts had a small drying
kiln attached to the Barn. Here it is a separate building,
set above the mill.
Inside is a raised stone platform with a central stone lined
pit which contained a slow burning fire to dry the grain.
The grain was laid on a wooden platform suspended across the
pit. Three large bags of grain could be dried in 6-8 hours
and had to be turned regularly by hand to prevent it burning
and to make sure it dried evenly.
Water from the nearby burn was brought by a lade to the mill
and channelled down a shute onto the horizontal water wheel.
The paddles are slightly angled to give a smooth flow of
water.
This turned the upper millstone. As the stone turned, a peg
knocked the hopper which trickled grain into a hole in the
centre of the millstone. The flour was pushed out of the
sides of the stones and collected in the groove around the
two stones.
The two buildings are set below the A858. There is a small
car park by Loch Roinavat and paved track down to the
buildings. The nearest post code is HS2 9BJ and the grid
reference is NB 244463. There is a map here.
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