Michael Palin will open Scotland’s newest arts venue on Saturday 21st May, when he visits the Perthshire town of Aberfeldy to officially launch The Watermill. The building is opening to the public after a year-long restoration programme to turn the former working watermill into a unique bookshop, art gallery, music and coffee shop. The Watermill will officially open to the public at 2pm when Michael pulls the lever to set the waterwheel working again. After opening the building he will be meeting customers and signing copies of his books, including his latest, Himalaya.

Watermill owner Kevin Ramage said, “It is fantastic news. I know how busy Michael’s schedule is and he is making the trip from London specially to open The Watermill. We will have plenty of copies of all his books and are looking forward to a busy afternoon!”

Because of the huge interest in meeting Michael, he may only be signing books purchased on the day from The Watermill and priority will be given to those who apply for a free ticket by writing to The Watermill, Mill Street, Aberfeldy PH15 2BG or by e-mail info@aberfeldywatermill.com (not telephone calls please).

The Watermill, opening after a programme of sympathetic restoration which has seen much of the industrial machinery and artefacts retained as an integral part of the cultural experience, will offer a unique exhibition and display space, and will support Aberfeldy’s status as an emerging centre for the arts.

The bookshop, the largest in the rural Highlands with over 5,000 titles, will form an integral part of the building, with books being displayed on shelving made from reclaimed timber, and fixtures and fittings recycled from former industrial-type locations. The shop, which will specialise in fiction, art, photography and crafts, will also feature a dedicated childrens’ area.

On the top floor, situated under atmospheric roof beams, the art gallery will feature a range of modern and contemporary art and sculpture, with changing displays by post-war artists, and prints available to purchase.

The music department will cater for all tastes from Classical, to World Music and Jazz. Film buffs will be able to browse a wide selection of art house and classic films.

The coffee shop, with its organic and fair-trade refreshments and light snacks, will provide a peaceful refuge and somewhere to browse review copies of the latest titles.

For owners Kevin and Jayne Ramage, the opening of The Watermill is the culmination of their dream to open a destination bookshop and art gallery that stimulates intellectual curiosity and reflects their own huge passion for literature and the arts.