Barony Mill

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.

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.

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?

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.

05/05/2026

Bere has been grown in Orkney for thousands of years, but traditions only survive when they are used, shared, and passed on. Pupils baking with beremeal is a lovely reminder that Orkney's unique food culture is still alive in today's kitchens.

Thank you to Stromness Academy for helping the next generation discover just how delicious a beremeal brownie or flatbread can be.

Wanting to say a big thank you to Barony Mill for their generous support. As part of our local food and production module in Home Economics we have be working with the ancient grain Beremeal. From sweet brownies and biscuits to savoury flat breads, S1-S5 have been creating mouth watering tasty treats. Barony Mill