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Blairadam Quarry

Kelty, Dunfermline, Fife.

Quarry (Blaes, Fireclay & Coal) / Mine (Blaes), mid-20th cent.

Site of a former ca. 50 acres quarry that initially wrought blaes & fireclay for the neighbouring Blairadam Brick & Tileworks to the NE at [NT 1385 9481]. Most of the quarry was deepened in 1945 & wrought the Glassee Coal in opencast fashion; commencement & completion of coaling was in June & November of 1945, respectively (cf. fuel for war effort). Pre-existing 19th century mine workings from the Blairadam No.1 Pit [site #11502], which are shown on mine plan 8413, were encountered during the 1945 operations.

"The [Glassee Coal] seam was uncovered by the Fife Coal Co. while removing overlying blaes & fireclays for supplying same to their brickwork. The seam lies on the floor of the brickfield quarry, all rock having been removed first." [Mine plan]

The given coordinates are for a point along the E side of the quarry where one of multiple adit mouths for the Blairadam Blaes Mine was probably present (see site #11503). The site is now occupied by parkland after complete backfilling of the quarry was completed in April 1946.

Alternative Names: Blairadam Blaes Quarry, Blairadam Opencast Mine

Notes: "Blairadam Blaes Quarry" is labelled as disused on OS 25" map of 1947 (surv. 1943), and has not been started on the 1915 edition (surv. 1913).

The Glassee Coal extensively worked here in pillar-and-stall fashion was also connected to the nearby 'Fan Pit' N of the quarry at [NT 1380 9478]).

Type of land was described as 'old brickfield quarry' on mine plan.

Hydrographic Feeds: None

Hydrographic Resurgences: None