Case Studies

John O’Groats Mill is the last of the great Caithness corn mills and was in operation until around 2001. Alan Jones Associates was appointed to support the development of a new charitable trust – The John O’Groats Mill Trust – and subsequently to deliver a feasibility study and business case, for the redevelopment of the working mill as a heritage attraction, with the inclusion of multi-use community space, holiday cottages, and sustainable retail options operated by the Trust.

Following an open tender exercise, we were appointed to do the Feasibility Study and Business Plan for a Stage 2 Scottish Land Fund application to purchase the John O’Groats Mill, 2 Holiday Cottages and the Mill Lade for future community use. The independent valuation for these properties was £365,000. In addition to the Feasibility Study and Business Plan we assisted the John O’Groats Mill Trust with the Stage 2 application which resulted in securing funding of £291,000 (80%) of the purchase price from the Scottish Land Fund and £36,000 from Highland LEADER and £36,000 from Dounreay Fund.

A further £57,000 was offered from the Scottish Land Fund for 2 years revenue support to secure the refurbishment grants required to bring the project to fruition.