- Project: Transform a derelict industrial site into a major community asset and gateway to the Den O’Alyth;
- Funding: £170,000 so far for site acquisition and clearance works;
- Volunteer programming committee convened in November 2023 to begin planning for site development;
- Site clearance started November 2023, and included:
- Asbestos removal works;
- Underground Storage Tanks (USTs) Removal;
- Demolition of dangerous structures;
- Current status: Main conversion works completed Summer 2024; connection to public water and electricity services completed Summer 2025; booking system now open for community groups/activities.
- Get involved: Join the volunteer group to decide how best to use the site for gatherings, events and educational programming
- Contact: booking.millhaugh@alyth.online or phone 07740 152025.
The historic Millhaugh sawmill site on Bamff Road in Alyth has been revitalised to create a major community asset, providing a safe and accessible space for all kinds of community groups and activities, coupled with a new access to the Den O’ Alyth woodland and riverside walk areas, which are a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest. Now open to the public and for use by community groups, this public space is available to all for gatherings, events and educational programming that will benefit the whole town.
ADT raised grants totalling nearly £94,000 from the Scottish Government’s Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme, plus almost £77,000 from the Scottish Land Fund. The funding enabled ADT to acquire and redevelop the site for a range of educational, environmental, social, and tourism-related activities on behalf of the local community.
The site, close to the heart of Alyth, contained several derelict mill, shed, storage and abandoned residential structures and forms the natural entrance to the Den of Alyth woodland and riverside walk areas, which are a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest. The Millhaugh regeneration project responds directly to the findings of Alyth’s Community Action Plan (CAP) developed in 2022 following a very extensive community consultation that engaged hundreds of individuals and groups throughout the community and generated six main themes for action over the next few years.
The CAP consultations identified the Millhaugh site as one where community ownership and re-development would make a massive contribution to all the CAP themes: repurposing derelict sites, developing new community and recreational spaces, promoting new events and activities, enhancing biodiversity and protecting habitats, and supporting tourism in the area.
Once a significant employer in the town since the 19th century with a cornmill and later a sawmill, Millhaugh had been vacant and unused since the 1980s, becoming increasingly derelict and attracting some vandalism and anti-social behaviour. The previous owners were enthusiastic about seeing the site move into community ownership and become a public space that would benefit the whole town and create a new natural entrance to the Den of Alyth.
ADT acquired the site to hold in stewardship for the community. Site clearance was completed in 2023/24 to remove contamination and debris, refurbishing existing buildings where possible, demolish unsafe structures and tidy up the site generally. Existing buildings and non-toxic materials already on the site were re-used and recycled as far as possible. At the same time, volunteers joined a programming committee to determine how to make the space available to all within the town for gatherings, events and educational programming.
ADVERT FOR PERMANENT COMMITTEE
Following the successful open day in August 2024, Millhaugh is now looking to recruit a permanent committee to follow on from the current project planning committee, to further develop and manage the community area/hub.
Management Tasks
- Encourage community engagement and use of the area.
- Develop additional access to the Den of Alyth
- Maintain the newly refurbished building
- Run the booking system
- Maintain a safe environment for members of the community, users and visitors.
If you are interested in being part of this exciting community development, please email millhaugh@alyth.online
All committee members will be on an annual renewable term.
Frequently asked questions
Question: – How did this project get started?
Answer: – Although the Millhaugh sawmill site has been long considered a place for the community, until 2023 it was privately owned. This project, led by volunteers and supported by the Alyth Development Trust, officially opened the site to the community, made the area safe and accessible for all and added an additional and much-needed covered outdoor community facility to the town.
Q: – Is all of the planned work on this site complete?
A: – No, some aspects of the improvements are still underway, and further work will be carried out in the future as resources allow. For now, the site is open to the public for walking to the Den or for enjoying for picnics or outdoor activities.
Q – Is there access to the Den O’ Alyth?
A: – Yes, there is a public footpath to the Den through the site.
Q: – Is off-road parking available?
A: – No, vehicles may only enter the site to load-on/off-load for functions and for disabled visitors. There are no longer-term parking areas available on the Millhaugh site, as it is a flood plain and parking in these areas is not permitted.
Q: – May I book the space for an event?
A: – Booking is now available via the Millhaugh page on Alyth.online or by mail to booking.millhaugh@alyth.online
Q: – How much does booking cost?
A: – The pricing structure reflects similar facilities in the region while making it as accessible to the community as possible. Non-profit community groups based in Alyth may book the space free of charge, with fully refundable security deposits.
Q: – Is there onsite storage?
A: – No, there is no such facility available on the site as the insurance costs do not allow for it and the space is not designed for storage rental.
Q: – Is Wifi available?
A: – No. As an outdoor space this is not a requirement of the site’s function.
Q: – Does CCTV cover the area?
A: – Yes. CCTV was installed in November 2025.
Q: – Are power outlets available outdoors?
A: – Yes. Power points are available during bookings. Outwith booked times the power points will be isolated and locked.
Q: – Will there be toilet access onsite?
A: – Yes, during a booked event.
Q: – How will the site be affected by flooding?
A: – The development of the site has taken flooding into account. Informed by historical flooding data the site will not be damaged by flooding, although bookings will not be available during flood events and in the event of a flood the site should be evacuated and closed.
Q: – What are the fire safety policies onsite?
A: – The Millhaugh policies follow the national fire-safety standards and guidelines with appropriate signage.
Q: – Are all areas accessible to wheelchair users?
A: – Yes. All bookable areas are accessible to wheelchair users. This does not include the path to the Den O’ Alyth.
Q: – What planting is planned for the newly cleared areas?
A: – The site has been cleared of all toxic materials, and a low maintenance planting scheme is planned. We are currently seeking funding for a partnership with Dundee Botanic Gardens (DBG) to support the development of planting at the Millhaugh site. This will have the benefit of providing DBG with a community-based learning ‘outpost’ whilst also encouraging citizen science opportunities. These proposals offer DBG a wide range of long-term opportunities and will enable an initial planting programme which can be continued in the long term. It is very important that the programme is low maintenance.
Q. How will the site be managed in future?
A. Ongoing fundraising and support will be led by Alyth Development Trust. Management and governance of the site will continue to be led by a volunteer committee made up of community residents. We are now recruiting committee members for the next three years.