TAYNISH MILL - Scottish Natural Heritage

Summary
The short excavation has revealed several features associated with the late use of the Mill
building, including surfaces, post holes and a beam slot giving some insight into the layout and
later modifications within the ground floor of the structure. This will enable SNH to clear out
the rest of the building without damaging the in situ deposits, making the building accessible to
the public. The lack of roofing material (slates) and relatively low quantity of building rubble
within the excavated trenches suggest the roof and much of the walls, along with the mill wheel
had been removed. Apart from artefacts associated with the collapse/demolition of the
structure, a midden located over the gear pit is likely associated with the last inhabitants of the
building after it no longer functioned as a mill.
Wheel grooves worn in stone lined lade
Acknowledgements
Kilmartin House Museum would like to thank all the volunteers who gave their valuable time to
the excavation including; Peter Quelch, Sally Wilkin, Cheryl McCormack, Laura Skelton, Andy
Buinton and Jane Simpson. Thanks also go to the SNH staff, particularly John Halliday who
organised the funding and to Doug and Gordon who participated in the excavation. As usual
thanks go to Sheila Clark for proof reading the text.
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