Skip to main content
Spirit Logo
Credit: VisitScotland/ Paul Tomkins
Home / Discover / Stories / Barony Mill and its Ancient Custody of Bere

Barony Mill and its Ancient Custody of Bere

By Issy Grieve


Bere is an ancient grain, thousands of years old , still grown and milled in Orkney.

Where the temperate climate produces a grain low in gluten and bursting with nutty flavours. The grain is ground at 150 year old water mill , Barony Mill, where the traditional craft of stone grinding where ancient stones produce the world famous Beremeal flour. The miller dries the bere in the mill kiln, using the husks of the grain to create the necessary warmth, then passes the dried grain through a series of stones to create, fine, medium or course beautiful Beremeal.

As the water wheel powers the stones the mill appears to sing, her tune of how the lush Orkney landscape, continues to provide the most delicious grain.


We Want to Hear From You!

Share your stories and memories of the Orkney Isles

Stories are at the heart of what we do as a project and we are always looking to learn more about what the Highlands and Islands means to people who live, work, and visit here. The Orkney Isles are an iconic part of the Highlands and Islands, with a rich natural and cultural heritage to discover. We would love to know, what are some of your favourite memories or stories related to the Orkney Isles? Tell us below, we can't wait to hear from you!

Click here to share your story through our online story portal