Notice
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Peckhole Windmill, Nesstoun
Ordnance Survey licence number AC0000807262. All rights reserved. © Copyright and database right 2025. Public Sector Viewing Terms
Useful Links
- Canmore:
- NORTH RONALDSAY, PECKHOLE WINDMILL
- Historic Scotland:
- HS Reference No 44589
General Details and Location
Category
AT RISK
Name of Building
Peckhole Windmill
Other Name(s)
Address
Nesstoun
Locality
Postcode
Planning Authority
Divisional Area
Reference No
4130
Listing Category
B
OS Grid Ref
HY 76305 52849
Location Type
Remote
HS Reference No
44589
Description
Tapered, circular-plan remains of a windmill. 2.8 metres high, 3.6m in diameter at ground and 2.7m at wallhead. Random rubble. Remains of central timber post.
Peckhole was the last working windmill in Scotland, the rubble base topped by a jettied timber revolving sail house and 4 sails. This section is now missing but a drawing by T S Peace shows the mill in working order, with the long tail beam allowing the sail house to be moved to face the wind. The windmill operated until about 1908 when it was replaced by a diesel engine-powered meal mill to its immediate north west. (ref: Historic Scotland)
Peckhole was the last working windmill in Scotland, the rubble base topped by a jettied timber revolving sail house and 4 sails. This section is now missing but a drawing by T S Peace shows the mill in working order, with the long tail beam allowing the sail house to be moved to face the wind. The windmill operated until about 1908 when it was replaced by a diesel engine-powered meal mill to its immediate north west. (ref: Historic Scotland)
Building Dates
Late 18th century
Architects
Unknown
Category of Risk and Development History
Condition
Poor
Category of Risk
Low
Exemptions to State of Risk
Field Visits
13/08/2009
Development History
August 2009: External inspection reveals that the rubble work of the structure is in poor condition and appears loose in places. A crack is visible which is a possible indicator of structural movement.
5 March 2024: Desk-based assessment suggests building remains At-Risk.
Guides to Development
Conservation Area
Planning Authority Contact
PAC Telephone Number
01856 873535
Availability
Current Availability
Unknown
Appointed Agents
Price
Occupancy
Vacant
Occupancy Type
N/A
Present/Former Uses
Name of Owners
Type of Ownership
Unknown
Information Services
Additional Contacts/Information Source
Bibliography
Appears on 1st edition OS map (1882); NMRS Photographic Records, O/970/7, O/970/8, (1966); J Hume, THE INDUSTRIAL ARCHAEOLOGY OF SCOTLAND, VOL II, (1977) p 249; A Fenton, THE NORTHERN ISLES: ORKNEY AND SHETLAND (1978), pp 470, 474; NMRS, MS 500/35/10, (1980); G Douglas, M Oglethorpe and J Hume, SCOTTISH WINDMILLS, A SURVEY (1984) p 36; NMRS, SIAS/DC/14056, (1985), MS/500/61/61, MS/500/61/60, MS/500/15/40; L Burgher, ORKNEY, AN ILLUSTRATED ARCHITECTURAL GUIDE (1991), p 101; J Gifford, HIGHLAND AND ISLANDS (1992), p 347; A Ritchie, ORKNEY (1996) pp76-77, 83; North Ronaldsay Community Council, THE ISLAND OF NORTH RONALDSAY, (pamphlet); Tom Kent Collection, Orkney Library, Kirkwall.
Online Resources
Classification
Food and Drink Processing
Original Entry Date
27-AUG-09
Date of Last Edit
20/07/2016
