Go to the Main Scottish Cave and Mine Database Search Page

Castlecary Mine [East]

Castlecary, Allandale, Stirlingshire.

Mine (Fireclay & Silica), 20th Century

An impressively extensive eastern section of the grid-plan Castlecary Mine system, extracting (Lower Millstone Grit) Fireclay and subordinate (Castlecary) Silica. See abandonment plans (in refs) for detailed mine layout. The general axis of this mine system trended WNW to ESE (from the east bank of the Bonny Water near Castlecary Bridge & Beekeeper's Cottage, to almost High Forrester Quarter Farm); a distance of c. 2.8km. The combined passage length will undoubtedly be 10s of kms.

The given coordinates are for the adit entrance (shown on 1970 OS map) to the fireclay workings, also accessed by the nearby Castlecary No.1 & No.2 Pits, the latter of which was 53 fathoms [97m] deep to the Lower Fireclay seam at [NS 7956 7843]. The silica workings were accessed via No.1 Pit. The site is now derelict & becoming overgrown.

"...sunk to supply the Stein Castlecary Fireclay Works with high alumina grade clay. (Thistle fireclay). Silica clay was also found and this was used to manufacture silica-based firebricks." [Scottish Brick History]

"the field had been bored and explored in order to learn the extent and quality of the mineral. The result was most satisfactory as the clay was found to be the 'Glenboig' of world-renowned reputation and the field to be developed the largest known in Scotland." [Falkirk Herald (19/03/1904)]

Alternative Names: Castlecary Mine, Castlecary Fireclay Mine

Notes: Shafts and Clay Pit noted at Fireclay Brick Works N of Castlecary Low Wood on 1934 6" OS map.

Stein Fireclay Works opened 1904, closed 1980. Not to be confused with separate Fireclay (& Lime) Works at former Castlecary Station, W of Castlecary Viaduct.

Given VR is a minimum depth, based on No.2 Pit.