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Chamber and committees

25th Anniversary of Birsay Heritage Trust

  • Submitted by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
  • Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 July 2022
  • Motion type: Standard Motion
  • Motion reference: S6M-05509
  • Current status: Fallen

That the Parliament congratulates the Birsay Heritage Trust on their 25th anniversary, which is being celebrated in the Birsay Community Hall on 31 July 2022; notes that the Birsay Heritage Trust was established in 1997 by local residents concerned by the deterioration of historically important sites in the parish; understands that the Trust led the restoration of Barony Mill, built in 1873, which today stands as the last remaining operational watermill in Orkney where grinding takes place during the winter and is open to the public during the summer, attracting thousands of visitors each year; notes that Barony Mill is also understood to be the only commercial producer of Beremeal in the world, an increasingly popular stoneground flour, with important nutritional benefits, produced from Bere, the ancient form of Barley; understands that the Trust, which is supported by local farmers and the University of the Highlands and Islands Agronomy Institute, is leading the way in preserving Bere and its supply to the brewing and distilling industry in Scotland; remembers fondly, the late Rae Phillips for what it sees as his dedication to the longevity of Barony Mill as the first miller to the Trust, bringing invaluable knowledge and skills from his father and grandfather, who were the Barony millers from 1910 to 1972, which Rae passed onto the current miller, Ali Harcus; understands that the Trust is leading efforts to restore and preserve HMS Tern, a former Royal Naval Air Station in the parish that served as one of four airfields in Orkney during the Second World War, which it hopes to operate as a visitor attraction in future; believes that the Trust continues to play an integral part of community life in the vibrant parish of Birsay and has made a fundamental difference to perseveration of its heritage for the benefit of future generations; thanks all former and current trustees and members for their support, including the late Johnny Johnston, and wishes the Trust all the very best of success for the future.


Supported by: Karen Adam, Clare Adamson, Jeremy Balfour, Miles Briggs, Ariane Burgess, Alexander Burnett, Sharon Dowey, Annabelle Ewing, Kenneth Gibson, Dr Pam Gosal MBE, Rachael Hamilton, Bill Kidd, Douglas Lumsden, Ruth Maguire, Stuart McMillan, Edward Mountain, Douglas Ross, Paul Sweeney, Martin Whitfield, Beatrice Wishart