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New Glencrieff Mine (Adit Level)

Glencrieff, Wanlockhead, Dumfriesshire.

Mine (Galena & Sphalerite), early-18th to early-20th c.

A highly extensive series of interconnected linear levels at varying elevations, linked by shafts & worked sections (see mine plans, in refs). The area of the mine around the given coordinates followed the 'East Branch' of the New Glencrieff Vein where the subsurface workings extended from points S of Black Hill (one passage extends under the Glenclaugh Burn) to an area under the SW flank of Limpen Rig near Meadowfoot; a N-S distance of >2km. The given coordinates are for the portal of an old cross-cut that accessed the mine's perpendicular 'Adit Level' (as shown on mine plan SP1764). It is described as a 'water cross-cut into Winter's Engine which about 60 fathoms' on Wells' 1756 map. Tracks entering this mouth are depicted on the OS 25" map of 1899.

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"The New Glencrieff mine has a long history and has been worked on and off along the vein of the same name from 1718 right up to the late 1950's, including some reprocessing operations in the early 1960's. Discovery of the vein will have occurred during the search for native silver and silver rich lead ores, but as this was never truly successful, lead only became the prime objective as soon as there started to be a market for this metal." [Mine Explorer]

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"New Glencrieff Mine: The origins of this Mine lie back in the early 18th century with the first recorded working on the vein giving the Mine its name in 1718. Through its history, 7 companies have operated the Mine, improving the operations and installing new technology. The driving of the Glenglass adit [site #10078] around 1740 revealed a very rich source of ore, which was raised until 1770. A shaft sunk on the West Grove vein is to a depth of 240 fathoms [439m] on the slope of the vein.

In 1755, a new company, with Mr Ronald Crawford at its head, took control of the Mine. Their first lease was only for 19 years but they afterwards obtained a new lease to expire in 1842. The new company were enterprising and very successful, they discovered new rich veins, and when workable ore could no longer be found, they erected a series of steam engines, some on the surface, and some underground, to drain off water from their boring's beneath level. So successful were the operations that during 50 years 47,420 tons of Lead was raised.

From 1842, the Duke of Buccleuch retained the Mine under his management, it was worked utilizing four powerful hydraulic engines and one steam engine. In 1845, all the recent mining improvements had been introduced, the process of refining and separating the Silver from Lead Ore was carried out simultaneously, at a newly built smelting plant at Meadowfoot. The average annual output was 1000 tons of Lead and 5750 ounces of Silver. The Mine closed in 1931 only to re-open in the 1950s, it then finally closed due to high operating costs and low Lead prices in 1956. This was the last Mine to close in the Village. 105,000 tonnes of Lead was smelted from the New Glencrieff vein by the time of final closure. There were some surface re-processing operations in the 1960s. The Mine is situated within sight of both the Straitsteps and Bay Mine sites." [Wanlock Visions, information board]

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"The New Glencrieff Vein appears to have been discovered between 1710 and 1721, and soon afterwards a fair quantity of ore was raised from it, but not sufficient to pay expenses. During the driving of the Glenglass adit-level about 1740, the west branch of the vein was discovered. It proved to be very rich and a large quantity of ore was raised. The mine was worked extensively till about 1770 when it was abandoned as unprofitable. It remained in this condition for over seventy years, but was opened up again by Mr. J. Stewart between 1842 and 1850, and the shoot of ore cut at the south end of the New Glencrieff Vein has proved one of the richest in Scotland" [Wilson, 1921]

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"the Friendly Mining Society, under the superintendence of Mr Weightman, commenced new trials, on the same [New Glencrieff] vein, by driving northward from the then lowest level, set on from Glencrieve Burn to the middle workings; also, by driving southward from the Dean-of-Guild's drift, towards the same place, and likewise by several other workings, thereby cutting up that vein to the extent, as above mentioned, of 450 fathoms. During these operations the Society raised much more ore than had been procured by the Smelting Company; but not having secured a sufficient quantity to cover the expense incurred, the mines were resigned, and the Society dissolved, in the year 1734...

... The north end of this vein crosses the highway to Whites-cleugh, the skirt of the Dodhill, Whitescleugh Burn, and then enters the hill called Limpin ridge. The south end enters what is generally called the Blackhill, where it is steepest, and is driven between three and four hundred fathoms in two drifts; one from the burn, and the other from the side of the hill, entering a little below the road to Glencrieve Scarr. The soils of this vein are of a yellow and grey colour, and the ore found in it above the level of Wanlock Burn lies in pretty large lumps; while that got below the burn was formed into a rib.

The workings north of Wanlock Burn were carried on by Sir James Stampfield; those south of it by the Smelting Company, about the year 1727 or 1728, before their partnership with the Friendly Mining Society. The upper drift was prosecuted for several fathoms south; but no ore having been found, and the way-gates being difficult and expensive, the mine was again abandoned till the year 1794. At that time the present Company not only made a trial in the old workings, but also sunk a pit 28 fathoms in depth, near the side of Wanlock Burn, on which they established a water-wheel, and latterly a steam-engine of twelve horse power, to assist the former in raising the water of the mine 20 fathoms (the depth of the main level), Stampfield's being eight fathoms from the surface. In prosecuting this trial, the Company not only cut into the vein by a cross cut from the middle of the sump, but continued their operations northward and southward till they reached the old workings of the Smelting Company, without procuring more than a few tons of ore. The low forehead was driven south to the extent of 130 fathoms, was in general rather easily wrought, and did not require to be supported with wood; but there also very little ore was procured, and the ground, upon the whole, cannot be considered as very promising in appearance. It is the opinion of some, however, that it will be more productive to the north. The late Mr Meason commenced a cross cut from the Ledger side of Glencrieve low drift, south, to be driven nearly due west, for the purpose of cutting New Glencrieve vein; but this trial, though a very feasible one, was suspended in 1S31, to be resumed again, in all probability, at no very distant period." [History of Sanquhar]

Alternative Names: South Glencrieff Mine, Glen Creiff Mine, Glen Creive Mine

Notes: An extensive 'West Branch' splay of the New Glencrieff Vein was worked from the West Glencrieff Pit (registry site #1117), which is essentially a connected westerly extension of the New Glencrieff Mine. In modern times, the term 'New Glencrieff Mine' is generally used in reference to the West Glencrieff Pit area of the complex at [NS 865 133]. The South Glencrieff Mine area has been accessed from the Glenglass Adit [site #10078] for the purpose of preserving machinery that remains within the mine (see 'The Glenglass Project').

The 'Old Glencrieff Vein' exists on the E side of the Glencrieff Burn, extending under the Wanlock Water near the confluence of the two waterways.

"The main vein itself varies greatly in thickness. It is usually strong, cavernous, and well-defined, but owing to slight changes in direction, and to its being shifted laterally by small strike faults, it is often rather difficult to follow. At the south end the top levels were exceedingly rich in galena, and the main shoot of ore was practically continuous for 200 fms. At the 80-fm. level a large quantity of hemimorphite was also encountered, and at the 120-fm. level this gave place to blende. From that level downwards the galena gradually gave out until at the 200-fm. level the vein consisted almost entirely of blende. A peculiar fact in connection with the blonde is that it is restricted to the south end of the vein, and ends abruptly to the north, though quite recently specimens of blende have been obtained in the 240-fm. level at the north-west end of New Glencrieff Vein. A small quantity of blonde was also met with in some of the upper levels in the "West Branch". Southwards from this main shoot of ore the vein becomes unproductive, and although the 120-fm. level was continued a distance of half-a-mile in a strong open vein no ore was touched in the course of the work. Recent developments at the north end of the 160-fm. level have been more successful, although a considerable amount of trouble was encountered owing to the drivage deviating from the course of the vein. Eventually by crosscutting 21 fms. to the east the vein was picked up again in its true course, and was found to be ore-bearing. The level was then continued a considerable distance through unproductive black shales, but eventually a shoot of ore was cut, which is 50 fms. in length and valued at 12 tons to the fathom. The 240-fm. level has also been driven southward, and the shoot of ore which exists in the 200-fm. level has been found to continue down to the lower one." [Wilson, 1921]

Access to this mine, which forms part of a listed Scheduled Ancient Monument, is generally restricted. Access projects have been headed by the Wanlockhead Museum Trust with landowner's permissions & consultation with HES (see 'The Glenglass Project').