our origin story
The journey from mill farm to museum – our origin story
The story of Almond Valley begins in the late 1960’s with a decade long campaign, supported by the new town development corporation, to restore the derelict watermill and farm steading for the benefit of the community. The work to safeguard and protect the local heritage galvanised interest in the site and served to demonstrate the power of community.
Over the next two decades, the heroic efforts of local volunteers and work training schemes cleared away decades of dereliction, rebuilt dilapidated buildings and installed a new waterwheel that enabled the ancient and innovative machinery of the mill to turn once again, adding new chapters to the extraordinary story of Mill Farm and establishing a cultural beacon for the region.
The transformative impact of the work achieved across Mill Farm served to inspire further community action leading to the establishment of a city farm on the site returning it to its historic roots, and later still the establishment of the Museum for the Scottish Shale Oil Industry.
As an accredited museum, housing a collection recognised as being of National Significance, we continue to celebrate the pioneering work of our predecessors who forged a once global industry and whose innovation and human endeavour informs our journey from an oil fuelled industrial revolution to a green revolution.
The growth of Almond Valley Heritage Trust
Almond Valley Heritage Trust was formed in 1990 as a social enterprise, with the sole purpose of advancing the aims and interests of the Heritage Centre to ensure its relevance and resilience for future generations. Three decades on, the site has evolved significantly, benefiting from sustained investment and continuous development. It stands today as remarkable testament to the aspirations, hopes and collective potential of community. Known affectionately as Mill Farm by our local community, universally as Almond Valley, and spanning 23 acres, it is home to some of the region’s most significant natural, built and cultural heritage and Scotland’s only accredited rare breed farm.
A much-loved community asset, and increasingly a visitor attraction of choice for a growing audience seeking authentic, heritage and nature-based experiences, Almond Valley is a charity of real purpose and wonderful sanctuary for our visitors, workforce and wildlife alike.
Almond Valley is committed to advancing the Scottish Government’s ‘Fair Work First’ policy, including paying the Real Living Wage and ensuring staff have an effective voice.
