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Wallhouse Mine

W of Wallhouse Farm Steading, Torphichen, West Lothian.

Mine (Fireclay), 20th Century.

Extensive underground complex in Upper/Lower Millstone Grit Fireclay seams started c.1962 to produce fireclay for the Manuel Works at Whitecross, closed 1975.

The fireclay workings (all S of an E-W line drawn at ~[NS 9555 7204]) are significantly further S of the mine mouth(s). As such, the Mine Mouth & Air Mine openings are connected to the N limit of the workings by two parallel tunnels, each measuring c.470 m long. The main area of fireclay workings are S of Broompark [NS 9618 7201], & almost entirely N of North Couston farm (the overall complex being centred on approx [NS 9572 7158]). The southernmost extremity of the mine is below [NS 9569 7097], this being 1.5 km S of the mine mouth. See abandonment plans for detailed layout.

Adit sites now buried below gravel driveway / yard to S of house at Westerwood Farm, beside corner on B8047.

"Due to the amount of clay being removed to make the Nettle brand firebricks, the Manuel mine workings were reaching a long distance. To improve ventilation and reduce the amount of time the miners took to walk to and from the face a new shaft was sunk at Compston Farm. Later another was dug at Wallhouse." [SBH]

Alternative Names: Wallhouse Clay Mine, Wallhouse Fireclay Mine

Notes: Started by John G Stein and Co. Lower Millstone Grit Fireclay Workings abandoned by Stein, John G. & Co Ltd in 1975, and (Upper) Millstone Grit Fireclay Workings abandoned by Stein, G.R. Refractories Ltd in 1981.

Given 8 fig. NGR derived from 'Mine Mouth' abandonment plan. Site of Air Mine adit at [NS 95545 72505]. The given length is an estimate of the extent of the complex from N to S. The combined length of all passages will be significantly more (>10 km).