05/09/2026
Gavinās Mill š“ó §ó ¢ó ³ó £ó “ó æ
This is Gavinās Mill in Milngavie, my birthplace, but for me, it is much more than just an historic building.
This mill was once my grandfather Andrew Wilsonās workplace. Grandad was a master cabinetmaker, and he ran his cabinet-making business from Gavinās Mill. So, when I look at this old building, Iām not just looking at a piece of Milngavieās history; Iām looking at a place that was once an important part of my own familyās story.
Just in case youāre wondering how to pronounce it, itās pronounced āMull-guyā, although youāll also hear āMill-guy.ā
Gavinās Mill has a history that goes back many centuries. There has been a mill on this site beside the Allander Water since at least medieval times, and the mill is regarded as being at the very root of Milngavieās identity. Indeed, the townās name is thought to have developed from its association with the original mill settlement.
For generations, the mill was associated with the local agricultural economy, particularly the milling of grain. Over the years, its use changed, and it later became a sawmill. The building suffered a major fire in the 1960s and was subsequently rescued and rebuilt rather than being lost altogether.
And somewhere during that long history came my grandfather and his cabinet-making business. I don't know exactly how many years Grandad owned the mill, but knowing that, along with his employees, he once stood inside these walls, making bespoke furniture and earning his living from his craft, gives the building a very special meaning for me.
Today, Gavinās Mill has been given a new lease of life. After years of decline, local people came together to save the building and establish the Gavinās Mill Community Project. The project restored the mill and turned it into a community-focused facility, including a fair-trade shop, cafĆ© and meeting space for local groups and activities.
So, although the purpose of Gavinās Mill has changed dramatically over the centuries, its role as a place where people work, create, meet and contribute to the community continues.
For most people, Gavinās Mill is an important part of Milngavieās history.
For me, it is also a reminder of Andrew Wilson, the master cabinet maker, and a small but very personal piece of my own family history.
Today, Milngavie is probably best known as the official starting point of the 96-mile West Highland Way, one of Scotlandās most famous long-distance walking trails.
It does annoy me when people say to me, āYou aināt Scottish; youāre about as Scottish as Rod Stewart!ā
Well, letās clear this up once and for all. There is a difference between Rod Stewart and me, apart from the obvious fact that Iām considerably more handsome! š
Rod was born in Highgate, North London. He had a Scottish father and an English mother.
I, on the other hand, was born in Milngavie, Scotland, and both my mum and dad were Scottish. My grandparents were Scottish, their parents were Scottish, and, as far as I can tell, you could keep going back through the family tree and still find nothing but Scots.
So, while Rod certainly has a bit of Scottish blood, I reckon Iāve got the paperwork, the birthplace, the family history, but not the accent to prove it.
In other words, Rod may be Scottish by heritage, but Iām Scottish by birth, breeding and stubbornness. š“š“ó §ó ¢ó ³ó £ó “ó æ
And, of course, there is one other important distinctionā¦ Iām the handsome one. š! šš“ó §ó ¢ó ³ó £ó “ó æ
