Welcome to Barony Mill – the World’s Last Working Bere Mill

Tucked away in the wild beauty of Birsay, you won’t find another place quite like this. Barony Mill is the last working watermill in Orkney – and the only place on Earth still grinding bere, an ancient barley grown here since Neolithic times. Built in 1873 and still powered by water, the mill produces stoneground beremeal with a deep flavour and natural texture, carefully crafted by our experienced miller.

During the winter months, when the burn is at its fullest, the mill comes to life, grinding Orkney’s ancient bere barley the traditional way. During the summer months, we open the mill to the public for guided tours, giving you the chance to explore the building, see the historic machinery working, taste some beremeal biscuits, and learn the story of bere and Barony.

Step inside the mill, and you’ll be transported back in time. The sounds of milling, the smoky scent of the kiln-dried grain, the rhythm of turning gears – every sense connects you to centuries of tradition.

If you can’t visit in person, you can still enjoy the rich, nutty flavour of our beremeal at home by ordering straight from the mill through our online shop.

Modern flours often sacrifice character for consistency. Beremeal offers the opposite: a distinctive warmth and earthy sweetness that adds “provenance on a plate.” Whether you are reviving the traditional bannock or evolving a sourdough starter, Beremeal provides a nutritional richness and texture that modern agriculture simply cannot replicate.