Go to the Main Scottish Cave and Mine Database Search Page

Straitsteps Mine (Engine Shaft)

Church Street, Wanlockhead, Dumfriesshire.

Mine (Lead & Zinc), 18th c.

The remains of a beam engine and capped shaft to the Straitstep mine workings. This shaft links three drift tunnels which followed the Straitstep Vein towards/through the SW flank of Wanlock Dod, with an offset shaft extending down to an additional five levels (see Mine Plan SP1825). Given coordinates are for the concrete cap under the W side of the beam engine shaft. Located on the ground just S of the beam engine is a large ring marking where horses/ponies walked in circles to drive a gin.

The NW-trending levels through Wanlock Dod connect with those of the Bay Mine, which are essentially a continuation of the Straitsteps workings. Abandonment Plan shows that a SE continuation of the Adit Level (passing via the Engine Shaft) provided access to the Lochnell Mine by way of a cross-cut tunnel named the 'Burn Crosscut'. The SE continuation of the Adit Level connected with the Margarets Mine workings.

- - -

"The Beam Engine at Wanlockhead, Dumfries and Galloway, NS 870 131 (built c. 1870) is the only surviving example of a water powered pumping engine. It sits above a shaft connecting with approximately 30 miles of tunnels reaching a depth of about 300 metres into the Lowther Hills around Wanlockhead. The weight of water running into and out of a (now missing) box once oscillated one end of a balance beam. The other end of the beam drove a timber rod down a 60ft mine shaft. The up and down motion of this rod operated a pump which lifted the water in the mines to the surface. A now missing horse engine lifted ore up the same shaft. The lead mines at Wanlockhead opened in 1710 and operated until 1959, when the shaft above the Straitsteps section of the mine was closed and capped with concrete. The top section of the pumping rod is now propped against one side of the concrete cap. Entry to the galleries of the mine (the lower parts of which are flooded) is now only possible through the Lochnell Mine or possibly through the main drainage adit near the foot of the valley... Access to the shaft remains restricted with the timber platforms posing a significant risk to anyone descending the shaft." [GSG Bull., 2011]

- - -

"The Straitstep Shaft is situated on the Straitstep Vein proper. Northwards from the shaft the vein trends about 12° west of north, and continues in that direction beyond its junction with the Bay Vein. Southwards the vein changes its direction until it assumes a N.N.W. trend, which it keeps till its junction with the Lochnell Vein, when it again takes a direction of 12° west of north, and is known as Margaret's Vein... Southwards from Straitstep Shaft the adit-level was driven about two fifths of a mile through barren ground, but at Margaret's Shaft the ore held down solid for a distance of 500 ft. from the surface, and about 50 fms. below adit. The dumps show the vein to have carried blende as well as galena. This part of the mine was abandoned many years ago, but work was carried on at the Bay Shaft till about 1900." [Wilson, 1921]

- - -

"This [Straitstep] vein runs from Whitescleugh through the end of the Dodhill, crosses Wanlock Burn, nearly opposite to the Company's store; continues its course through the more level part of the Blackhill, a little to the west of the Library, and then enters the Stake Moss to the east of Menockhass. It was a very strong vein, but had several snecks, or cheeks, in the Dodhill, one of which was forty fathoms in length, and commonly called the Straitstep, from which the vein has its name. Mathew Wilson having succeeded Sir James Stampfield, in the year 1691, wrought this vein extensively and successfully quite through the Dodhill, from Whitescleugh to Wanlock Burn. The Smelting Company, likewise, operated considerably in the same vein, having cut a drift through the Dodhill, lower than Mathew Wilson's, at a great expense; and they not only carried on the workings above level in the Dodhill, but the drifts northward of Whitescleugh Burn; and those through Wanlock Burn, and south of it. The Smelting Company, after having operated for some time, under some disadvantage, at last found it necessary, from the state of the mine, to erect a water-engine, or wheel, north side of Wanlock Burn, a few fathoms N.W. of the Chapel. By this means they were enabled to sink under level, and to take out a very great quantity of excellent ore, which lay in several knots betwixt Straitstep and the engine, a distance of one hundred and eighteen fathoms; so that at that period there bad been more ore taken out of Straitstep than from all the other veins together, with the exception of New Glencrieve.

The present Company, likewise, operated in Straitstep for several years, and raised a great quantity of ore in different parts of the mine; particularly out of that part of it called Alison's Soles. They sunk to the depth of 35 fathoms under the main level, but were obliged to abandon the workings referred to, from a want of surface water for their water-wheel, both during the droughts of summer and frosts in winter. This mine was relinquished about the year 1786 or 1787. Sometime afterwards, however, the Company erected a steam-engine on the north end of the vein, Whitescleugh, having previously turned their attention to the south end of it, where Dean-of-Guild Weightman had operated to some extent in or about the year 1746. He, Mr Weightman, having entered upon his lease with rather a favourable prospect of success, sunk a shaft upon the vein where it was bearing ore, on the south side of Wanlock Burn, and also brought up the Smelting Company's level to that shaft; in consequence of which his level was under thirty fathoms cover, which level he prosecuted about 450 fathoms in length towards the water-fall of Menock-hass. The vein was strong, and, at several places in its course, yielded a respectable quantity of good ore; but Mr Weightman having met with several obstructions in the prosecution of his plans, was under the necessity of reducing the number of his workmen, and finally of abandoning his lease, which was a sub-lease from Mr Alexander Telfer... Whitescleugh was abandoned in the year 1800. " [History of Sanquhar]

Alternative Names: Straitstep Shaft, Black Engine Shaft

Notes: Given coordinates derived from aerial imagery. Differentiation between Engine Shaft & Little's Engine Shaft based on re-scaling of Mine Plan SP1805 & comparison with SP1827.