The town of East Linton is home to the picturesque and historical Preston Mill; a predominantly 18th century structure that produced oatmeal for the district right up until 1959.
There is evidence of milling on this site since the 1100s before becoming part of a large estate, In those days, every wheat farmer on the estate would have been obliged to take there grain to Preston Mill for milling, making it a socially and historically important structure. Unlike most mills from the 19th century, Preston Mill is constructed of strudy stone, with a separate kiln, which has added to its longevity in the face of severe weather and the risk of fire.
The mill was donated to the National Trust for Scotland in 1950 whilst still a working mill. The flood of 1948 destroyed much of the internal machinery, and the cost of replacing it effectively ended the commercial life of the mill. The mill closed in 1959, and the waistcoat of the last miller can still be seen hanging on a nail in the mill where he worked.
Since its acquisition by the trust, extensive renovation has resulted in a functioning mill still powered (and, occasionally, flooded) by the adjacent River Tyne, and visitors are able to go on tours around the inside of the mill while it is moving.
In 2011, National Trust for Scotland approached Valencia Communities Fund through Forward Scotland for funds to improve visitor experience at the popular mill with interpretation, signage and electronic information systems. The result is a modern facility that tells the story through interactive exhibits of one of the finest mills in Scotland. The success of this attraction has led to an increase in opening hours to cope with the increase in visitor numbers.
