07 Oct 2010 - Visit to Dalgarven Mill

A group of members were given a very enjoyable and interesting guided tour of the Mill by Mr Ferguson, whose father was the last Miller.  Mr Ferguson has done a tremendous job over a number of years, not only in restoring the old building, but in bringing together a collection of costume, domestic and agricultural implements which illustrate rural life in the area over the last few hundred years.

One of the joys of the exhibition is that the objects are given a context and often it is know who owned them and where and when they were used.   Sometimes the contrast with our own day was striking; the very elegant and elaborate "Kirking" dresses, worn by new brides the first time they attended the Kirk as married women, was the focal point of spending and "show" in former times, whereas the actual marriage would be a quiet affair in the bride's home.  Many "fathers of the bride" today might wish for a return to this custom...

Some members of the group could remember watching items from the Dairy and Workshop Exhibitions in use and indeed the basic design of many agricultural and domestic tools has not changed greatly over the years.  The Mill is an on-going project and we were fortunate to see the new storage area which is being developed.

The visit was enhanced for some by walks near the Mill and for all by the lovely food and home baking in the café.

For more details of the mill, see their website at www.dalgarvenmill.org.uk

Patricia Weston