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Devon Colliery (Howetown Shaft)

Howetown, N of Sauchie, neat Alloa, Clackmannanshire.

Mine (Coal), mid-19th cent.

One of three shafts marked on Geological Survey map. The MRA map shows five shafts around this locality, the southern four of which were treated/capped (most in 1957) & are now situated within woodland.

Surviving Miners' row at Howetown (pre 1900, extensively modernised). Buildings immediately south of miners' row (possibly old farm house, more likely colliery buildings, demolished before 1900).

Alternative Names: Howetown Shaft, Howetown Pit, Howetown Pit, Howtown Pit

Notes: Three shafts marked NW of Sauchie Tower, W of Devon Colliery. Names labelled on Mine Plan (S497) for 40" seam. Coal Pit marked at this locality on 1st Ed. 6" OS map.

The Howetown Shaft at the given coordinates was 270 ft (82m) to Upper Five Foot Coal.

Howetown (not Hometown) is a small settlement south of Alva, and just north of Old Sauchie. The houses here were most likely originally miner's row houses, as there was a colliery just across the road at what is now Woods Caravan Park. In the mid-late 1980's these houses were extensively rebuilt.

Hydrographic Feeds: None

Hydrographic Resurgences: None