While the lower building at Airds, part of which was known to have been a thrashing mill in past times, was being converted into a high quality self-catering house, the original wheel pit associated with the 2-storey part was uncovered and dug out. The only traces of the original wheel found were a few broken parts of the side-plate casting. This was sufficient to identify the probable maker as J & R Wallace of Castle Douglas, a firm latterly involved in agricultural machinery that went out of business in the 1960s. J.R. Wallace was known to make waterwheels and although no makers name has been found on the castings, it is thought likely that they were the manufacturer.

It was thought that replacement of the wheel would be a worthwhile project, and fortunately a similar item was located at a farm nearby. The wheel, estimated to weigh around 2 tons, was transported to Airds where the casting was cleaned and shot-blasted and the remains of rusted fasteners removed. The wheel was then moved again to a local metalworking firm where new buckets and casings were fitted. Recently the wheel was returned and re-fitted into the wheel-pit, the masonry of which had been repaired and re-built.

Picture above shows the refurbished Lochhill waterwheel now in place in the restored wheel-pit on the west corner of Airdsmill. A decking area adjacent has being built so that guests may sit and enjoy the evening sun as it goes down. Work continues to restore a small supply of water to the wheel to enable it to turn.

Pictures below show the wheel in its original state being removed from Lochhill farm and transported to Airds.