DONATIONS from around the globe have helped pay for the restoration of one of Scotland’s most picturesque mills.

Preston Mill, East Linton, featured in some of the television series Outlander’s most memorable scenes.

A month ago, National Trust for Scotland launched a crowdfund campaign in a bid to find £12,000 to repair the mill’s water wheel mechanism, which allows it to turn. Less than three weeks after launching, the five-figure sum was reached, with repairs now to be carried out.

The trust’s Stuart Maxwell said: “We’ve been blown away by the support we’ve had since announcing the crowdfund. With heat from the friction of the turning axle, which allows the wheel to spin, distorting the metal components that hold the wheel in place over time, we knew we urgently needed the help of the public to be able to restore it to its former glory.

“It’s been inspiring to see such a diverse range of people come together to support the appeal, in Scotland and even overseas, and collectively demonstrate their love for Scotland by ensuring that this spectacular piece of Scottish heritage is preserved.

“We’d like to say a massive thank you to everyone who donated and we can’t wait to welcome you all to the mill when it reopens at the end of April.”

With its curious Dutch-style conical roof, Preston Mill is an architectural oddity that beguiles visitors and transports them back in time.

The raised funds will now be used to restore the buildings – used commercially until 1959 – after its water wheel mechanism broke over the winter months, causing it to jam in a fixed position.

In 2014, the building hosted the cast and crew of Outlander as they filmed some of the first season’s most pivotal scenes.

They used the mill as a stand-in for Lallybroch, Jamie Fraser’s (played by Sam Heughan) family home. Given the TV show’s international popularity, the fundraising campaign ran in partnership with the National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA.

It garnered global attention with an American donor from Nantucket, Massachusetts, making a substantial match-funding contribution.

Barbara Beinecke Spitler matched all donations made towards the repair of the mill, dollar-for-dollar, until $5,000 (£3,901.50) was reached.