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Glenglass Adit (Mouth)

Meadowfoot, Wanlockhead, Dumfriesshire.

Mine adit, driven by Alexander Telfer between 1735 and 1755.

Currently-blocked adit mouth at the NW end of the Glenglass Adit, which is a significant branch of the Glencrieff Mine's 'Adit Level' that passes the West Glencrieff Pit. This mouth allowed access to the West Glencrieff Pit (c. 450m to SE) & the South Glencrieff Mine, passing under a series of shafts to surface (also blocked).

The original adit mouth was located further W at approx [NS 8623 1368], but ca. 120m of the distal section has since collapsed, forming a visible scar. The given coordinates are for the excavated 'JCB Hole' at the W end of the intact section (see: The Glenglass Project). Images from 2023 show the adit containing pipework & a corroded railway.

See also 'New Glencrieff Mine (West Glencrieff Pit)' [site #1117] for further mine description. Also site #1099 for SE continuation of the Adit Level.

Efforts to re-open the Glenglass level: "In 1992 permission to dig was received from the Buccleuch Estates Ltd. and work commenced on 9th January, 1993. The adit was completely run-in for the first 17 metres of ground. Each obstacle was dealt with in turn and the ground was allowed to settle for two weeks before proceeding. In all, 61 feet were cleared, 53 feet inbye and 8 feet outbye from the adit mouth with 6 metres of drainage pipe laid from the end of the concrete pipe inbye. This took two years work at a cost of £1179 13, excluding labour costs, and was funded by Jeremy Landless. When the time came to renew the permission to dig in January, 1995, the Factor for Buccleuch Estates wished to have Historic Scotland and the Health & Safety Executive Mine Inspectorate involved, and this was written into the permission to dig agreement. This resulted in the HSE carrying out a risk-assessment on the adit dig in February, 1995 A new method of working was suggested, the cost of which, for phase two of the work, was estimated at £60,000. As the project is privately funded there is no way that such costs can be met and work has stopped. To be stopped with only 6 to 8 feet to go is a great disappointment to all concerned. If money cannot be found to do the work professionally (£100,000 or so) the engine, which is of great historic value, will he lost forever." [NMRS Newsletter, Aug 1995]

In 2025, a proposal was submitted to HES by the Wanlockhead Museum Trust (WMT) regarding clearance of surface drainage up to the Glenglass adit portal. The WMT wish to improve drainage from the Glencrieff Mine through the adit and facilitate safe access to the underground mine workings in this location.

Alternative Names: West Glencrieff Adit Mouth, New Glencrieff Mine, West Glencrieff Pit, North Glencrieff Mine

Notes: Mine Plan SP1859 shows the location of the current 'West Glencrieff Adit Mouth' & the extent of the original pre-collapse passage.