St. Monans Windmill
Introduction This afternoon, I am reporting on an intriguing piece of industrial history, namely the St. Monans Windmill which graces the Fife Coast (Scotland) between Anstruther and St. Monans . St. Monans Windmill, Fife, Scotland. Information on the windmill. This windmill dates from 1772 when it was constructed as part of a salt panning enterprise, entailing extraction of salt from seawater, established by Sir John Anstruther. At this time salt was a valuable commodity used for preservation of food at a time when refrigeration did not exist. The salt extraction process entailed: An artificial reservoir of salt water on the coast. Pumping of the water from reservoir to saltpans using a combination of wooden pipes and energy from the windmill. Evaporation of the water using coal-fired saltpans. The coal was sourced locally. Overseeing the operation was a Salt Master, an assistant and numerous employees. The work was dirty, arduous and dan...