Leven – Silverburn Flax Mill

We are working with Fife Employment Access Trust (FEAT) and Fife Council on an ambitious £10 million project to restore Silverburn flax mill, near Leven. The flax mill is a B-listed, 19^th Century brick building located within Silverburn Park. A rare survivor of Scotland’s historic flax industry, it is in a derelict condition and on the Buildings At Risk Register.

FEAT is a local charity that supports people with mental health conditions to access employment and promotes positive messages about mental health. FEAT is the preferred partner of Fife Council to take over the management of Silverburn Park from the local authority. Their vision is to develop Silverburn as a place of quiet enjoyment, conserving the cultural values of the landscape and buildings, supporting the health and wellbeing of the community, and enhancing the habitat and biodiversity of the environment.

The flax mill project is at the heart of this vision. The plan for the building includes a hostel for walkers and other tourists, a café, artists’ workshops, meeting spaces, and an office for FEAT. Once up and running, this will attract new visitors to this part of Fife and will provide additional opportunities for the local community, FEAT clients and volunteers to be involved in a wide range of activities in the park, from growing projects and woodland management to traditional craft skills and catering training.

The Construction Phase is now underway, generously funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Fife Council, the Scottish Government, Historic Environment Scotland, Levenmouth Reconnected, Robertson Trust, the Wolfson Foundation and others.

For more information go to: www.silverburnpark.co.uk/flaxmill