Help Save the Mills Observatory

The Leisure & Culture Dundee consultation online survey: click here

Please sign the Mills Closure Petition started by David Millar: click here

The Mills Observatory

John Mills was a mill owner in Dundee.  He was a wealthy man and a keen amateur scientist and astronomer.  It was his vision that the wonders of the heavens would be available for the public to see, and not only to be available to the wealthy or scientists. To this end he bequeathed his assets, a sum amounting to about £500,000 today, to the building of an observatory.  It was to be an elegant building, and fully equipped for the public to come and see God’s creations. It was designed by the City Architect Mr McLellan Brown and guided by the Astronomer Royal for Scotland, Professor Ralph Sampson.  Its doors were opened in 1935 as the first purpose built public observatory in the country.  It has continued to fulfil Mr Mills vision ever since and would celebrate its 90th anniversary next year, in 2025.

The Mills was frequently visited by Sir Patrick Moore who carried out some of his lunar work there.  Memorably, in 2005 Dave Scott, commander of Apollo 15 and the seventh man to walk on the Moon, came to visit the Mills.  The solar eclipse in 2015, attracted so many people that a moderate degree of concern was raised as to whether the substantial balcony would manage the weight.

The Cooke Telescope

This is a 10-inch refractor which was built by Thomas Cooke in 1871.  It is a historic telescope, its size fulfilling many visitors image of what a telescope should look like.  As such, it leads to many excited exclamations.  It was transferred to The Mills from St Andrews in 1952.

Public Viewing – Eclipse at the Mills

Crowds fill the Mills to observe the Solar Eclipse

Comments from the MILLS OBSERVATORY CLOSURE petition

Heather Johnston: astrophysist

“Growing up in Dundee in a working-class household, I had no idea what attending university even meant. I cannot emphasise enough how instrumental being able to attend planetarium shows as a young child at Mill’s Observatory helped shaped my scientific career and fostered a lifelong curiosity about how the world works. For me, I attended one of the worst high schools in Scotland. I was only able to attend the physics program at the University of Dundee through their access program for students from areas of multiple deprivation. Had I not been inspired by all of the work being presented by the fantastic team at Mills observatory, I do not think I would have known any of this was an option. I am an astrophysicist now. I do not believe I would have gotten here without seeing the northern lights for the first time on a very cold winter night at the top of the dome in my own hometown. It is a moment I think about every time I do public outreach or engagement (especially running science sessions for Dundonian children at Mill’s itself!). If I could capture one moment that sparked my lifelong curiosity for anything in space, it would be that. To be clear, Mills Observatory is an important public asset for Dundee to have. In a city with a long history of scientific innovation and exploration, it has hosted and nurtured many aspiring scientists over the years. The next generation deserves that opportunity too.”

Colin Steele, Professor of Mathematics, Manchester University.

“The Mills Observatory unique national facility that brings visitors to the city. It has inspired many youngsters to become professional astronomers, it has played a part in the development of many amateur astronomers, and it has raised the profile of astronomy and science in general among a wide part of the general public.”

Alexander MacKinnon, Glasgow

“It would be terrible to see the closure of this wonderful, historic establishment. It’s a very historic place but it should also be a great resource for community-based involvement in science at a time when STEM education has never been more important. I know that council budgets are tight. Investing in a resource like this more than pays for itself in the long term, in development of a skilled workforce and nurturing a scientifically aware populace.”

The world is not a very nice place, but at least you get a trip round the sun every year.