The Norse Mill and Kiln.
Start. Loch Raoinebhat.
Route. Loch Raoinebhat - Norse Mill - LochRaoinebhat.
Notes. Set in a river valley the Norse Mill is a traditional constructed thatched stone built building, guarding a horizontal grind stone. Lewis was once the home for over 200 of these quaint horizontal wheeled mills, what is not so well known is this small mill remained in use until the 1930s. First restored in 1960 the present restoration dates to 1995, the path came later in 2003. With most of the workings below floor level it's hard to see exactly what's going on, water is directed from the burn to drive a number of paddles in a chamber below the floor, part of the mechanism jogs the hopper to ensure a constant flow of grain onto the centre of the stones.
Having abandoned two walks today we found ourselves with time to kill, as we pass the Norse Mill on the way back to the cottage why not stop, we couldn't think of a good reason not to, so stop we did. No map required, from the car park at Loch Raoinebhat it's a short walk on a well constructed path, half a mile there and back tops, if your passing it's well worth a visit.
Seen from the car park a rather choppy Loch Raoinebhat.
Ben Tuishavel and Creagan 'an Mhaide seen over Loch Raoinebhat.
The Norse Mill and Kiln.
Looking to Loch na Muilne and the houses of Siabost.
The mill and kiln, traditional thatched roofs resting on stone rubble double filled walls, roped down on twin cross sticks, should we take a look inside.
Water is directed from the burn to drive a number of paddles in a chamber below the floor, part of the mechanism jogs the hopper to ensure a constant flow of grain onto the centre of the stones.
The Kiln, a raised stone platform, in the centre a circular stone lined pit, this is where the fire that dried the grain was kept alight.
The narrow race that supplied the water to power the paddles.
Looking south up the valley, the burn is where the water was drawn from to power the mill.
View taken over the Norse Mill to Loch na Muilne.
I've left the path to gain a little height, Loch na Muilne with the Atlantic Ocean just visible across the horizon.
From this ice scarred rock at the top of a small knoll views over Loch na Muilne to the west coast.
Loch Raoinebhat with Ben Guidamol rising to the left.
A final look back to Loch na Muilne, Siabost and the Atlantic Ocean
The rocky face of Beinn Bhragair rising to the southeast.