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Wellesley Colliery (No.1 / No.2 Pits)

Fife Energy Park, Methil, Fife.

Coal mine, site of.

Shaft sunk 1883 (under name of Denbeath Colliery), mine closed 1967. Multiple seams worked, formerly one of Scotland's largest collieries, employing on average >1500 workers. Both the adjacent No.1 & No.2 shafts have been treated and capped, currently within an industrial estate/ decommissioning facility.

"A pit was first sunk as Denbeath Pit on the site of older workings on the Fife coast between Buckhaven and Methil. The change of ownership in 1905 then brought about a new deep shaft and redevelopment, and, eventually, a renamed 'Wellesley Colliery' to the Methil area." [Fife Pits]

Alternative Names: Denbeath Colliery, Denbeath Pit, Wellesley No.1 Pit

Notes: Renamed Wellesley Colliery after third shaft sunk. Operated by Bowman & Co., later Wemyss Coal Co., & finally the NCB (1947-70).

Given coordinates are for No.1 Pit, whilst No.2 Pit shaft was located c.40m further NE. Bottom of No.1 shaft 1627 ft.