Prestonmill

The village of Prestonmill is the forth largest settlement in the parish with a population of around 30 people. It is built around the site of an old mill which used the water from Ladyland (Prestonmill) burn to power its grindstones. The village of Preston which disapearred around 150 years ago gives the village the first part of it's name.

Up until 2023 Prestonmill was home to the parish blacksmith who ran his business from the smiddy in the middle of the settlement. This business had been running as far back as records go and was an important part of the agricultural activities of the local farming community.

The middle image below is of the only listed building in Prestonmill, a home now known as 'The Cottage'. This building was once a public house named 'The Boar Tree Inn', the man standing outside is Nelson Craik. Nelson and his family were farriers at the smiddy in the village.