For this months Project of the Month we revisit Silverburn Flaxmill nearly 4 years on from when we first highlighted the project in the October 2021 Project of the Month Silverburn: Heart, Mind & Soul

Silverburn Park and The Flax Mill is major community-led initiative for wellbeing, enterprise and employment, benefiting the people of Levenmouth and beyond.

A joint project between Fife Employment Access Trust (FEAT) and Fife Council with support from Fife Historic Buildings Trust (FBHT), the project is well underway with the sensitive renovation of the semi-derelict B-listed former Flax Mill building, to create a Visitor Centre and Community Hub, set to open next year.

The £10m transformation of the mill is entering the last 12 months of construction works before the scheduled opening in April 2026.  Led by mental health charity, Fife Employment Access Trust, the building will become a new attraction to Levenmouth, providing a café / restaurant, accommodation, gift shop, artist studios, flexible meeting and events space, along with dedicated community space.

Works are now moving at quite a pace and with the building covered by a roof tent, the required timber repairs and replacements are progressing well.  The old squash court will become the plant room for the building and a new concrete floor has been completed ahead of the installation of the ground source heat pump – for which all excavations and underground boreholes and pipeworks have now completed.

Bricks continue to be painstakingly cared for individually around the building and a series of interesting finds have been unearthed including a piece of the original pan-tile roof, various bottles and pottery, a piece of railway track and most recently a bevel gear that could be the only actual remaining piece of flax processing machinery found in the mill.

Alongside the actual repair and conservation works, FEAT have also been running a rich programme of heritage-themed activities to keep visitors engaged in the project and learn more about the Park’s industrial past, as well as its social and natural history – the Park was gifted to the local authority in the 1970s by the Russell Family who utilised the 27-acres of gardens and woodlands as their family estate.  The Russells’ travelled across the globe and brought back many unusual specimens of trees for planting and the Park boasts Giant Redwoods amongst the many rare trees found in Scotland.  An oral history project is currently underway to capture stories and memories of those with connections to the Park – including an interview with Cecilia Russell, one of the last remaining family members who saw Silverburn as her childhood home.

A volunteer flax group has been established with the aim of growing, cultivating and ultimately spinning linen from our own crop of flax in the Park.  The group have recently delivered talks to St Andrews Preservation Trust, Methil Heritage Centre and Markinch Heritage Group

A local artist has been booked to deliver a 10 week textile programme for flax group members and member of the public from May 2025. The artist will support the group to explore different fibres, spin, weave and dye to create a wall hanging inspired by the flax mill.

Local primary schools have been actively engaged in the project, learning on site in the Park and back at the classroom about the industrial revolution that the mill was part of, as well as techniques used to build the mill.

St Andrews University students took part in a flax processing workshop as part of their recent visit which also included a hard hat tour.  Hard hat tours will be running throughout 2025 for the general public after a series of successful tours last year – with renowned actor Clive Russell amongst those who took part!  Main contractor for the works, Clark Contracts, also had members of their staff donate their time to the Park last year, helping with tree planting, painting fences and the eco-pods and shower block, as well as some much-needed pot-hole filling in the car park.

With just over a year to go until works will complete, FEAT have also been planning in great detail how the building will operate and this will be a key focus of the months ahead, to ensure a smooth opening.  However, not unsurprisingly, costs have risen from the original budget and fundraising is also continuing to ensure no corners need to be cut to deliver the restoration project everyone wants to see.

If you would like to make a donation to the works, to help with the rising costs being experienced complete the donation form below or  visit Silverburn Flax Mill Appeal Page

To keep updated on progress, visit www.silverburnpark.co.uk or follow on social media

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