Photo by VisitScotland - Paul Tomkins House of Dun
The nearby House of Dun is a magnificent baroque-style 18th century Georgian mansion designed by renowned architect William Adam. House of Dun is every bit the perfect 18th-century laird’s home. It took 13 years to complete and little wonder as the finely detailed interior depicting classical tableaux and family emblems are breathtakingly beautiful. Throughout the area there are numerous activities and man-made attractions to suit all tastes even though the greatest reason for visiting is the landscape itself. Benholm Mill, a restored and fully working water-powered meal mill, is a popular visitor attraction in ancient woodland near Johnshaven. Situated just 13 miles south of Stonehaven in the heart of Sunset Song country it featured as Long Rob’s Mill in the television serialisation of the novel. Now the only surviving traditional
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water-powered meal mill in this part of Aberdeenshire it is a monument to the numerous mills which were once a common sight. For centuries Benholm and others vitally important to the rural communities as suppliers of oatmeal, bruised oats and hashed oats. Welcoming the impact the film on the region local councillor David Aitchison, Chair of Aberdeenshire Council’s Infrastructure Service Photo by VisitScotland - Paul Tomkins Benholm Mill
Committee, said the movie acted as a window on the beautiful natural heritage and showcased the area as a world-class tourist destination to a brand new audience. “From the Cairngorms to the Mearns, our dramatic mountains, sweeping farmland, and traditional granite villages are undoubtable showstoppers – I would encourage both locals and tourists to take a closer look at Aberdeenshire.,” he said.