Barry Mill features a lovely network of lades and a serene mill pond, surrounded by picturesque woodlands and scenic waterside trails. Visitors are welcome to enjoy leisurely strolls and picnics on the grounds all year round.
A delightful path meanders alongside the Barry Burn and the mill lade, where a waterfall cascades over the weir – keep an eye out for dippers, kingfishers and herons. Strolling along these picturesque waterside paths offers breathtaking countryside views, and during the right season, you might even catch a glimpse of wild orchids in bloom.
Don’t miss a walk through the heritage orchard, which features varieties like Bloody Ploughman, White Melrose, and Tower of Glamis.
During the open season, you can see the historic machinery in action, filling the air with the delightful scent of oatmeal and the soothing sounds of the waterwheel.
Mill meander
Walk details
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Difficulty
Easy
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Time
40 minutes
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Distance
1 mile (1.5km)
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Ascent
31ft (10m)
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Start
Visitor Reception
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Finish
Visitor Reception
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Step 1
(1/9)Start at the visitor reception/shop below the car park (accessed by a slope).
Follow the path to the north (away from the mill), passing on your right the heritage orchard, which grows apple varieties including Bloody Ploughman and Tower of Glamis.
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Step 2
(2/9)After 60m the trail reaches a bird hide that overlooks a small pond surrounded by willows and wet meadow. This is home to various woodland birds including blue tits, blackbirds and dunnocks.
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Step 3
(3/9)Continue following the trail north. Soon, the path runs alongside a lade, a narrow waterway that takes water to the mill.
As the trail approaches a small slope, a set of wooden-and-earth steps lead up to the mill pond.
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Step 4
(4/9)The mill pond was once used as a store of water to help control the flow to the mill and turn the water wheel. It still has this function today but has also developed into a small refuge for wildlife, with mallards and moorhens inhabiting the islands for shelter and to raise their young in summer.
Follow the grassy trail along the pond bank before reaching another small set of earth-and-timber steps, taking you down to a small footbridge.
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Step 5
(5/9)Cross the small footbridge, and continue along the path that follows the lade.
This surfaced trail is largely level with small dips and rises, with the occasional stone or tree root. From this path the Barry Burn can now be seen, home to otters and grey wagtails.
The single-track trail continues to follows the lade and burn north, all the way to the weir 300m away.
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Step 6
(6/9)At the weir, enjoy the gentle waterfall from the viewing point.
This was the point where the lade was created to divert a small volume of water to the mill – a division of the two streams of water either side of the viewpoint. With luck, a dipper may be spotted near the waterfall or flying downstream along the burn.
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Step 7
(7/9)The return route follows the same path back to the small footbridge.
When crossing this footbridge on the return journey, take the trail to the left that follows the curve of the Barry Burn. You will pass a wild bird viewing area on your left.
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Step 8
(8/9)This path passes through mixed woodland of sycamore and ash, before leaving the woods and following alongside the wet meadow.
In summer, this section of the trail can be a hotspot for butterflies, so it’s well worth a visit on a sunny day!
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Step 9
(9/9)Finally, the orchard comes back into view on the right as well as the mill and visitor reception.
Sit at one of the picnic benches to enjoy the peace, unique scenery and a hot drink and snack. You can also check in the shop to see if a tour of the mill is available for you to join.
