Castletown Mill and the Calder family

About this recording

In this interview Audrey Young, nee Calder talks about her family’s association with Castletown Mill, and she reflects upon what the mill means to her.

“I’ve always been so very proud of the fact that this mill once belonged to my grandfather and great grandfather.”

Having worked at the mill as a clerk for more than twenty years, Audrey’s great grandfather Benjamin Calder took over the running of the mill in 1910 and purchased it from Castlehill Estate, three years later.

Audrey’s grandfather, also Benjamin Calder, served as the first apprentice woodcarver for the well-known Castletown business, McIvor and Allan. In 1910, at the age of 23 he emigrated to Canada. Sadly, on the day of his departure, his brother Johnny, an assistant lightkeeper, died as the result of an accident at Stroma Lighthouse.

Eventually Benjamin and his young wife had to return to Castletown to help run the mill. Audrey explains how she loved to hear her father’s stories about the mill and the Calder family.

She also expresses her delight that, after lying derelict for 32 years Castletown Mill has been purchased by Dunnet Bay Distillers Ltd.

“The mill will be once again put to good use as a whisky distillery and the old ruin will have life in it again.”

Audrey, along with members of her wider family look forward to visiting the mill again.