Windmill among eight projects sharing funding

A trust which plans to bring an 18th century windmill into community ownership is among eight projects sharing £1.2 million in financial support.

Carluke Development Trust (CDT) in South Lanarkshire receives £278,000 to bring the High Mill site into community ownership. It includes the A-listed High Mill, the most complete windmill of its type in Scotland plus a former market garden of 1.2 acres.

Tom Sneddon, chairman of trust said: “We are absolutely thrilled to receive this crucial financial support from the Scottish Land Fund, allowing CDT, on behalf of the communities of Carluke, to take ownership of the land and the buildings of the Carluke High Mill. The work has only just begun and we will now embark on the journey of creating a new community garden.”

The trust is one of eight groups sharing £1.2m from the Scottish Land Fund for community ownership projects. Others include the Straiton Village Co-operative, which receives £275,500, and Kirkshaws Neighbourhood Centre SCIO, which is awarded £68,262. Also among the recipients are Strathmore Community Hub Steering Group (£113,000) and Fort Augustus and Glenmoriston Community Company, which receives £202,000.