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Wanlockhead [Overview]

Wanlockhead, Dumfriesshire.

Numerous lead mines, many of which were active by the late-17th & early-18th centuries, are located within & around the village of Wanlockhead, which at 1531 ft above sea level is the highest village in Scotland. The West Glencrieff Pit of the New Glencrieff Mine was the last to remain open, ceasing operations in 1931. Multiple significant veins rich in galena & various accessory mineral deposits (most notably sphalerite zinc-ore) pass under the village & adjacent hill flanks, most extending under the Wanlock Water burn along which are the sites of various shafts (either buried or capped). Whilst lead ore became the primary target, & was worked at Wanlockhead from as early as the 13th century, the veins were originally discovered as a result of prospecting for gold which can still be found in local stream gravels. Silver was also obtained from the lead workings on an uneconomic basis. Multiple remains of smelting works, where the galena was processed for lead, are located around the village that is a renowned locality for rare mineral finds (see: mindat.org).

From E to W, the primary mineralised zones are the Belton Grain, Cove-Lochnell, Straitsteps-Bay, Old Glencrieff & New Glencrieff veins (the latter of which splits into important East & West branches). The extent of the veins is shown on the Geological Survey's 10k map. Whilst the workings are mostly given separate names derived from the veins along which they have been driven, the main mines are all interconnected by way of several crosscut passages, forming a highly extensive complex (collectively tens of miles long) that extends NE-SW from the NE side of Wanlock Dod to Glenclach Burn (S of Glencrieff), & E-W from Mennock Hass to the Meadowfoot area. Some of these workings are over 1,300 ft deep, with some (now-flooded) lower reaches reportedly being below sea-level. A detailed map showing the complex's layout is shown on Mine Plan SP1751 (see refs).

The primary registry entries for the Wanlockhead area (excluding Leadhills) are the following: • Belton Grain Mine (Engine Shaft), • Margarets Mine (Engine Shaft), • Lochnell Mine (Williamsons Level), • Cove Mine (Whimsey Shaft), • Straitsteps Mine (Engine Shaft), • New Glencrieff Mine (Adit Level), • New Glencrieff Mine (West Glencrieff Pit), & • Bay Mine (Pumping Shaft). See references section for registry site links.

The majority of primary shafts and adit mouths have probably been blocked/buried, although some of the more remote sites remain open. It should be noted that the landowners, currently the Buccleugh Estate at the time of writing, do not condone non-approved exploration of the mine system. They are however supportive of some projects undertaken by the Wanlockhead Museum Trust (WMT, formed in 1974), who conduct exploration / conservation projects (e.g. The Glenglass Project) under conditions & safety regulations approved by the relevant bodies. Several areas of the Wanlockhead workings partly supported by old timbers have significant vertical drops & surface/winze shafts, some of which may be below false-floors. As such, & in many cases due to Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM)-related legalities, they must not be entered without proper approval. Williamsons Level of the Lochnell Mine, which has a locked portal door, is under the control of the WMT-operated Museum of Lead Mining that provides tours into this section of the mine. It should also be noted that several parts of the area, including Whytes Cleugh & the spoil tips surrounding West Glencrieff Pit are within the Leadhills-Wanlockhead SSSI that has restrictions on the extraction of minerals (including spoil) & modification of natural or man-made features (see: NatureScot link for area limits). Although the spoil tips associated with the Belton Grain workings are outwith the SSSI area, they lie within the SAM area.

"Wanlockhead and the surrounding area is both a a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is scheduled as an Ancient Monument in relation to the historic lead industry. As such permission is needed from Historic Environment Scotland and the land owner to enter any of the mine workings or to dig for mineral specimens. Mine workings are dangerous and must not be entered without permission or suitable training and experience." [Wanlockhead Museum Trust]

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"The village derives its existence from the lead-mines belonging to the Duke of Buccleuch, which have been worked from a remote period... The Lead Mines of Wanlockhead are said to have been discovered in the minority of King James the Sixth, by Cornelius Hardskins, a German, when searching for gold at that place... Sir James Stampfield was the first person who, about the year 1680, opened them up ; and lie carried them on, with some degree of success, till the Revolution. Mathew Wilson succeeded Sir James Stampfield in the year 1691, and had a lease of 19 years. The Governor and Company for smelting down lead ore with coal, succeeded Mathew Wilson in the year 1710. They had a lease for 31 years, and wrought extensively in Old Glencrieve, and also in Beltongrain vein ; but were unsuccessful till they found out New Glencrieve vein, out of which they raised a very considerable quantity of ore in a short time. In the year 1721, several gentlemen of London, Newcastle, and Edinburgh, having united under the name of the Friendly Mining Society, entered into partnership with the Smelting Company, for carrying on the Mines of Wanlockhead upon a further lease of 31 years. They carried on the Mines extensively by working all the principal veins, viz. :-New Glencrieve, Old Glencrieve, Cove, and Belton, grain, till the year 1727 ; when the Company and Society separated, and divided the Mining grounds in the manner described in a deed of separation. The Friendly Society carried on their workings to some extent, and with a considerable degree of energy, till the year 1734; at which time, having ascertained that they had been great losers, although they had raised a valuable quantity of lead ore, they resigned their lease ; and were succecded by William and Alexander Telfer. These gentlemen carried on the workings, though rather unsuccessfully, till William's death ; after which Alexander made some farther trials on New Gleucricve vein, which turned out very fortunate. Mr Alexander Telfer was succeeded by Messrs Ronald Crawford & Company (now the Wanlockhead Mining Company), in the year 1755 ; and they being gentlemen not only of capital, but of great enterprise, have had several of the principal veins prosecuted not only vigorously, but most judiciously, and to a great extent." [History of Sanquhar]

Alternative Names: None recorded.

Notes: The given coordinates are for the Museum of Lead Mining; no mine at this location (although located close to Lochnell Mine, in which the museum operates seasonal tours for the general public).

The current Visitor Centre was built in 1992 and incorporates the Old Smithy. In 2007 the collection of artefacts held at the museum was recognised by Museum Galleries Scotland to be of national importance.