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Pitfirrane Day Level [Overview]

Pitfirrane, Crossford, nr Dunfermline, Fife.

Mine level (18th Century).

Initially built for the drainage of Berrylaw Colliery N of Crossford [PDL6-9, see notes], but extended to Urquhart Quarry and then beyond to the Arthur Pit, now a recycling site NNW of Wellwood. The tunnel has a gradient of 1 in 774 and the estimated cost of driving was approx. £3,000 per mile.

"The Pitfirrane Water Level extended for 4½ miles from its outlet on the Lyne Burn, south of the old mansion of Pitfirrane, north and north-eastwards through the old collieries of Urquhart, Berrylaw, Pittencrieff, Baldridge, Elgin, Drumtuthil, and Wellwood to beyond the Arthur Pit, where it lay about 350 ft. below the surface. A subsidiary level (the Balmule) drained the Rosebank area and united with the Pitfirrane Level under Rumblingwell. The Urquhart Level started near West Baldridge about 40 ft. above the Pitfirrane Level" [Fife Pits]

Alternative Names: Pitfirrane Level, Mouth of Pitfirrane Day Level

Notes: Given coordinates are for the original mouth of the level (shown on 1856 OS 6" map, along with a partial path of the level). This later rose at NT 0612 8570 on the 1931 geological map, now immediately south of a treatment area along the Lyne Burn. At present, a steady flow of iron-rich water from the level now rises at NT 06277 85893 at the Pitfirrane Minewater Treatment Scheme (operated by the Coal Authority) that uses aeration channels and reed beds.

Path of level partially shown on 1856 OS 6" map & 1931 geol. survey.

Sites along route from Pitfirrane to Baldridgeburn, based on map shown in Scottish Industrial History (1978): PDL1 (air shaft, NT 06552 86590), PDL2 (air shaft, c.NT 0655 8673), PDL3 (air shaft, NT 06560 86933), PDL4 (shaft, NT 06586 87160), PDL5 (air shaft, NT 06586 87160), PDL6 (coal pit, NT 06618 87653), PDL7 (coal pit, NT0665987668), PDL8 (coal pit, NT 06828 87739), PDL9 (coal pit, NT 06952 87588), PDL10 (iron shaft, NT 07308 87848), Jeanie Pit [PDL11, Site 7348] (iron pit, NT 07620 87880), PDL12 (old coal pit, NT 07635 88070), PDL13 (coal pit, NT 0750 8832), Baldridge Pit [PDL14] (coal pit, NT 07880 88570).