Barony Mill

Barony Mill Orkney's last remaining working watermill. Open for guided tours everyday May-September 11am-4.30pm. We grow and mill Bere, an ancient Viking Barley.

Managed by the Birsay Heritage Trust. Barony Mill was built in 1873 and is currently managed by The Birsay Heritage Trust. During the summer the Mill is open daily for tours and has a shop stocked with all our Bere products: Beremeal and Bere Berries, Oats and Oatmeal, savoury and sweet Bere biscuits made for us in Orkney, as well as a range of other local produce.

Unfortunate news for anyone trying to behave themselves. We now have beremeal millionaire shortbread in the mill shop fr...
04/06/2026

Unfortunate news for anyone trying to behave themselves. We now have beremeal millionaire shortbread in the mill shop from Rendall's Bakery.

They are, frankly, a problem.

Properly chocolatey, decadent, and made with Barony Mill beremeal - which means enjoying one can be filed under the very respectable heading of "supporting local heritage".

Take a run out to the mill this weekend and see where the beremeal starts, then buy the millionaire shortbread. You deserve it.

Tours run every 45 minutes from 11am, with the last tour at 3.30pm.

There is nowhere else you can do this. Step inside the world's last working bere mill and feel the building come alive ...
29/05/2026

There is nowhere else you can do this. Step inside the world's last working bere mill and feel the building come alive around you.

We're open for tours every day from 11am, with tours every 45 minutes until the last tour at 3.30pm.

Tour times:11am, 11.45am, 12.30pm, 1.15pm, 2pm, 2.45pm and 3.30pm.

Perfect for visitors, families, or anyone local who keeps meaning to come and finally see it properly.

No plans for this weekend? Come and experience something found nowhere else on earth but Orkney.

Inside the kiln at Barony Mill, bere is still dried the traditional way. It's slow. It's smoky. But that's what gives be...
24/05/2026

Inside the kiln at Barony Mill, bere is still dried the traditional way. It's slow. It's smoky. But that's what gives beremeal it's unique flavour.

If you've visited the mill, you already know the smell of this room.

16/05/2026

The only place on Earth still milling Neolithic bere barley - powered by nothing but water, just as it has been for over 150 years. There is no where else like this! Feel the vibration of the machinery under your feet. Smell the kiln-dried grain. Watch the water wheel turn. And yes, taste the beremeal biscuits at the end.

Open May-September.
Tours every 45 minutes from 11am.

15/05/2026

There are plenty of ways to fill your time. Few feel more worthwhile.

Birsay Heritage Trust is looking for a small number of new trustees to join our team of volunteers.

If you care about our local history and heritage, and would value the chance to use your experience in a meaningful way, we’d love to hear from you.

The Trust currently cares for Barony Mill, the HMS Tern airfield, the Birsay Whalebone and the St Magnus Church and is always looking for new opportunities.

We’re looking for people with good judgement, a genuine interest in these special places, and a willingness to play an active part in supporting their future.

This is not just about attending meetings. We’re looking for people who will contribute ideas, take a real interest in the Trust’s work, and get involved.

If this feels like something worth being part of, please get in touch by emailing [email protected].

10/05/2026

Inside the kiln at Barony Mill, bere is still dried, handled, and milled the traditional way - with water power, old stones, and a lot of know-how.

It's slow. It's smoky. It's not exactly efficient...
But that's why it matters.

See the world's last working bere mill in action. Tours running daily May-September.

Well, this has made our day!Huge congratulations to Eviedale Bakehouse Orkney on winning the New Product/Innovation awar...
08/05/2026

Well, this has made our day!

Huge congratulations to Eviedale Bakehouse Orkney on winning the New Product/Innovation award for their beremeal sourdough crackers. What a brilliant win for Orkney 👏🥳

07/05/2026

Ever wonder how we get the bere up to the top floor?

A bannock will always have our heart, we love a bannock... But beremeal pizza base? We are listening.59 Degrees North ha...
06/05/2026

A bannock will always have our heart, we love a bannock... But beremeal pizza base? We are listening.

59 Degrees North have been experimenting, and we think that sounds like a match made in heaven. Or possibly Sanday.

Address

Birsay Heritage Trust
Birsay
KW172LY

Opening Hours

Monday 11am - 5pm
Tuesday 11am - 5pm
Wednesday 11am - 5pm
Thursday 11am - 5pm
Friday 11am - 5pm
Saturday 11am - 5pm
Sunday 11am - 5pm

Telephone

+441856721439

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Barony Mill posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category