Preston Mill & Phantassie Doocot
Preston Road, East Linton, Scotland, EH40 3DS
Before they featured in the hit TV show Outlander, the 18th-century Preston Mill and neighboring Phantassie Doocot were two of Edinburgh and the Lothians’ lesser-known historic sites. Since then, the landmarks have enjoyed a well-deserved boost in popularity and are now considered some of the area’s most picturesque destinations. Both dating back to the 16th century, the mill and former pigeon house are worth visiting for their quirky architecture and stunning surroundings.
The basics
Preston Mill stands on the banks of the River Tyne and features a Dutch-style conical roof. It was a working water mill up until 1959, and you can still watch the water wheel and grain-milling machinery in action on a tour. The quirkily named Phantassie Doocot is another photogenic landmark—a beehive-shaped pigeon house that once housed up to 500 carrier pigeons. The sites are a staple of Outlander sightseeing tours that typically cover other famous settings such as Culross Palace and Blackness Castle. You can either explore the mill independently or as part of a guided tour.
Things to know before you go
There’s an admission fee to enter the mill, which amounts to around $10—it costs less for children.
You need to book your self-guided or guided tour of the mill in advance on the National Trust for Scotland website.
In the visitor center, you’ll find a small exhibition, a café selling drinks and snacks, and a gift shop.
The mill is only partially accessible for travelers using wheelchairs and strollers; the ground floor is partly navigable, but the upper floor is inaccessible due to steep stairs.
How to get there
The easiest way to reach the mill from Edinburgh Waverley station is by bus—the X7 (departing every 30 minutes) takes about 1 hour and drops you off at Phantassie Farm stop, a 10-minute walk from the mill. By car, it’s 40 minutes via the A1 road, and there’s a parking lot right beside the mill, which you’ll need to buy a ticket for.
When to get there
Preston Mill & Phantassie Doocot are open from Thursday through Monday—the buildings are closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. Opening hours are from mid-morning to early evening, but be sure to book your ticket or tour in advance, as otherwise you might not be guaranteed entry.
Discovering “Outlander” filming locations in Scotland
The time-traveling drama Outlander uses some of Scotland’s most stunning landmarks and landscapes as its settings. Some of the most popular include the 15th-century Blackness Castle, a former residence of Scottish kings; Linlithgow Palace, used as Wentworth Prison in the show; and the butter-yellow Culross Palace, housed in what’s considered one of Scotland’s most picturesque villages.
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