The move away from the use of the travelling threshing mill to mills erected at farms continued in the 1930s. Newspapers in some districts of Scotland, especially in the north-east, reported the erection of new mills on farms. These were important occasions on the farms, and were seen as ceremonies at which the farming family and neighbours were invited. While they provide accounts of these ceremonies, they sometimes also recorded information on the mills and how they were powered.
Some accounts of new threshing mills have been included below:
“Lumphanan threshing plant
The friends and neighbours of Mr J. Mutch, East Futty, Corse, Lumphanan, met at the farm on Saturday to witness the onset of a new threshing mill. The mill is built on up-to-date lines, and the work accomplished was of a high standard. After threshing operations were finished, the company were hospitably entertained by Mrs Mutch, and an enjoyable evening was spent.” from Aberdeen press and journal, 16 January 1924)
“Threshing mill demonstration at Cornhill
Mr James Wood, Drums, Cornhill, has installed a new threshing mill which is driven by a car engine. On Wednesday his neighbours were present to witness the “on-put” when the results were considered very satisfactory. The guests were hospitably entertained by Mr and Mrs Wood”. (Aberdeen press and journal, 18 February 1924)
“Kinellar threshing mill
A large company of friends and neighbours gathered at Aquhorsk, Kilnnellar, on Saturday afternoon on the invitation of Mr and Mrs Duncan Keir. The occasion was the inauguration of a new threshing mill, which Mr Keir has just installed. The mill gave general satisfaction in the demonstration. It threshed eight quarters per hour of well-dressed grain. The company were entertained by Mr and Mrs Keir, and spent an enjoyable evening.” (from Aberdeen press and journal, 11 November 1924)
“An up to date agriculturist
Mr Adam Grewar, Corsehill, Blairgowrie, who recently purchased the farm of Burnhead, has just installed a new threshing mill on the holding. The mill, which was supplied by Mr David Murray, Balgersho, Coupar-Angus, is of the most modern type, and propelled by an “Allan” 7-8 h.p. engine. To witness the starting of the machinery a large concourse of farmers and others assembled on Wednesday, and were highly satisfied with the results achieved. The cereals threshed were “White Wonder” oats-a crop which yielded Mr Grewar a return of fully ten quarters per acre. The company were handsomely entertained by the host, and expressed their warmest thanks for the hospitality through the medium of ex-Provost Spalding.” (from Perthshire advertiser, 15 November 1924)
