Barry Mill

About the museum

Barry Mill is a water-powered corn mill that ground oatmeal and other foods for almost 800 years, until it stopped working in 1982. For centuries it was the centre of a farming community, supplying food and serving as a place for trade and talk, and it saw the change from a rural to an industrial society.

The present building was rebuilt after a fire around 1814. It is now one of only a handful of mills in Scotland still powered by water and is probably the largest and finest of its kind that is still in operation. The mill is looked after by the National Trust for Scotland, which has carried out a conservation project to keep the wheel turning and to protect the old writing on the walls from moths.

Inside, displays explain how engineering ideas that saved people from grinding their own flour led towards the machines of the Industrial Revolution, how trade moved from barter to money, and what people ate over the centuries. Visitors can watch the wheel turn on every day the mill is open, and the grounds along the Barry Burn are a place to look for dippers, kingfishers, herons and woodpeckers.

Highlights

• Working water-powered corn mill with a turning wheel
• Displays on the miller's working day and the history of milling
• Milling tours on Fridays during the season
• Walks along the Barry Burn with wildlife such as dippers and kingfishers
• Shop with teas, coffees and gifts

Permanent exhibition

• The working water mill – A working water-powered corn mill where visitors see the wheel turn and learn about the miller's day, the machinery and the foods people lived on.

Operated by

National Trust for Scotland

Admission & discounts

Admission is free for members of the National Trust for Scotland. The mill takes part in the ScotRail 2-for-1 offer: two adults enter for the price of one with a valid rail ticket and a voucher from the ScotRail website.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The mill is reached by a ramp, and the ground floor and lower ground floor can be used in a wheelchair, but the first floor is reached only by stairs. The paths around the grounds are grass. Disabled visitors can be set down closer to the mill by arrangement with reception. An accessible toilet is available. Dogs are welcome if kept under control.

Kids & families

• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

A family ticket and a one-adult family ticket are available. Buggy access and baby changing are listed among the facilities, and the mill lists children's activities as part of its offer.

Getting there & parking

Barry Mill lies north of Barry village between the A92 and the A930, 2 miles west of Carnoustie. Road signs at most local junctions lead to the car park and are better to follow than satnav directions.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Teas, coffees and a selection of goods are sold in the shop. The banks of the Barry Burn are suitable for picnics.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit