The Kirkdale sawmill is driven by an overshot waterwheel and dates form the early 1800s. It was used as an estate sawmill and joiners' shop until the 1970s. It has recently been restored with a new sloping roof over the saw bench, replacing the previous pitched roof. The mill dam, sluice gate, and mill lade have also been repaired. At one time in the 1920's and 1930's the mill wheel also powered a generator to provide electricity for Kirkdale House, as well as two circular saws. The sawmill was used for many years by the estate joiner, and his workshop here was a meeting place for local children before Carsluith School closed in 1964. The sawmill is situated beside the Kirkdale burn which fills the mill pond above. The burn runs from beyond the prehistoric standing stones at Cairn Holy to the sea at Ravenshall near Dirk Hatterick's cave, which features in Sir Walter Scott's novel Guy Mannering.