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Glenboig Mine

Glenboig, Gartcosh, Lanarkshire.

Mine (Fireclay).

Part of the extensive Glenboig-Inchneuk Mine complex that first extracted fireclay in the 1880s & was abandoned in 1956. The site of the 'Chain Mine' mouth (at given coordinates) is now overgrown wasteland between Inchneuk Road & Garnqueen Loch.

The most significant section comprises pillar-and-stall workings in the Glenboig Lower Fireclay seam (11ft thick) from the Chain Mine, Inchneuk Mine, Klondyke Pit & Star Pit. The partially stooped-out lower workings underlie much of the unbuilt area between Glenboig & Annathill, from [~NS 7265 6875] in the S to [~7162 7001] in the NW. Additional significant workings were also present in the Cement Clay seam (36" thick) that was probably mostly worked during the 1920s, and in the upper Glenboig fireclay seam (60" thick) that appears to have been mostly worked in the 1930-50s. See abandonment plans in refs for detailed layout.

As a gross generalisation, the lower workings become progressively younger to the N & NE. Those around Hillside Cottages / Hawthorn Cottage show survey dates around c.1880 (worked from the Chain Mine). In contrast, the high-density workings between Hillside Cottages & Inchneuk Farm show survey dates c. 1907-12, & the the most northerly part of the complex N of Inchneuk Farm (which were accessed by 'roads in blue clay' with openings at the Inchneuk & the Klondyke Pit areas) was mined from the 1930s to 50s. The less (but still) extensive upper fireclay seam appears to have been accessed from the Inchneuk & Klondyke mine mouths only (no link to Chain Mine or Star Pit shown on AP).

Alternative Names: Chain Mine, Glenboig Fireclay Mine, Glenboig - Inchneuk Mine

Notes: Mine operated by the Glenboig Union Fireclay Company, Ltd, which was formed by the amalgamation of the Glenboig Fireclay Works & the Glenboig Star Fire Brick Works. The Inchneuk-Glenboig Mine complex was abandoned in 1956.

"Glenboig Mine - situated at Glenboig. Persons employed underground 71, above ground 14, total 85" [SMW]

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"The Glenboig Star Fire Brick Works and the Glenboig Fireclay Works joined to form the Glenboig Union Fireclay Company, Glenboig which by the end of the 19th century was reputed to be the largest fireclay company in the world...

... Fire-clay brick manufacture began in the Scottish central belt near Glenboig in the 1830s. The manufacture began some 4-5 miles west of Glenboig in Garnkirk at Cardowan Fireclay in 1833/4, near the village of Gartcosh... 1843 Glenboig Fire Brick and Tile Works was owned by Mr John Thomson, and the original works (the Old Works) was built beside the Monkland-Kirkintilloch railway. Around 1860, Messrs Thomson, McLean & Company acquired the right to work the fireclay in the Glenboig area, and firebricks were beginning to be produced on a much larger scale. Messrs Hurll, Young & Company were operating at Heathfield and Cardowan works, using the same seam of clay, although of a different quality, and they took over from Thomson McLean & Co in 1865, forming the Glenboig Fireclay Company with Mr James Dunnachie as a managing partner." [SBH]

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Given coordinates derived from BGS GeoIndex.

Un-named mine annotated on geol. survey map on the site of Glenboig Fire Clay Works.

Distance between the Glenboig-Inchneuk Mine's N & S extremities is ~1.7km, although combined length of passageways will easily exceed 10km.