Preston Mill and Phantassie Doocot

One of Edinburgh’s most picturesque, yet little visited historic sites, the 18th-century Preston Mill and neighboring Phantassie Doocot have received a surprising boost in tourism recently thanks to their appearance in hit TV show Outlander. The 16th-century mill stands on the banks of the River Tyne and features a Dutch-style conical roof that fans will recognize from Outlander’s 1940s scenes. A working water mill up until 1959, Preston Mill is now open only for tourists, but visitors can still watch the water-wheel and grain milling machinery in action on a tour. 
A short stroll from the mill, the quirkily named Phantassie Doocot is another photogenic landmark, a beehive-shaped pigeon house that dates back to the 16th century and once housed up to 500 carrier pigeons.

Practical Info

Preston Mill and Phantassie Doocot are located in East Lothian, approximately 40km east of Edinburgh. The mill is open between May-September, Thursday to Monday from 12:30 to 5 p.m. and can be visited by pre-booked guided tour only.