Go to the Main Scottish Cave and Mine Database Search Page

Gin Pit [Pilmuir]

Fluthers Wood, Largo, Fife.

Mine (Coal), early-19th century or earlier.

"According to an early 19th century report (Landale), the Carhurlie Coal was worked by a horse gin and pit, 13 fathoms deep, just to the south of Flothers Wood, by Pilmuir. Evidence suggests that there were, perhaps, several early coal-works in the vicinity of Pilmuir farm... According to the records of several 19th century borings put down in the area around Pilmuir, Hatton and north of Lundin Links, there was a group of eight coals in a total thickness of 30 to 35 fathoms of strata. Of these coals all but the two highest were recorded at least once with a thickness of 2 ft. or more, and the lowest of them, locally called the Carhurlie Coal, was known to have been worked." [Fife Pits]

Shaft now buried below field.

Alternative Names: No.6 Pit

Notes: Probably owned by Wemyss Coal Co.

Fife Pits website states that the Gin Pit was located further S at [NO 3910 0416], but the BGS GeoIndex states that this entry at the given coordinates is the Gin Pit, which is more consistent with the Fife Pits description of being just S of Fluthers Wood.

Shaft labelled on BGS 10k map. MRA map shows at least four other shafts in the vicinity of this shaft, & another nr the SE corner of the wood.