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Strontian [Overview]

Strontian, Sunart, Invernessshire.

Generic. Appear to refer to the Whitesmith, Bellsgrove and Middleshope Lead MInes.

Six roofed, three unroofed buildings and four enclosures are depicted on the 1st edition of the OS 6-inch map (Argyllshire 1875, sheet xviii). Three roofed and five unroofed buildings are shown on the current edition of the OS 1:10000 map (1973).

Extract from a Plan of Loch Sunart of 1733. A narrative of the mines of Strontian. 'The Barony of Ardnamurchan and Sunart, the priveliged bounds of the York Buildings Company for raising mines and minerals is the property of Sir Alex Murray of Stanhope who first discovered the lead mines of Stontian. They lie WNW and ESE, at three miles gradual ascent, N from Strontian at the head of Loch Sunart and are ranked among the richest of their kind in Europe. And he let them in lease to the late Duke of Norfolk and Company for the term of years reserving to himself in whole for his own share one sixth part of all the ore that should be raised free of all charges above ground. The said Company sometime afterwards made over their lease of the said mines to the York Buildings Company for a valuable Confederation, who accordingly are the present possessors of the same.

As the first Company found the best and greatest quantity of ore nearest the surface, they therefore wrought the mines in open cast, whence they are called grooves, they also erected several necessary buildings at Strontian, such as a smelting mill with four common hearths. A bridge upon oaken piles cross the river, a handsome house for their manager, clerks, and office, besides others for their workmen, stores etc. As they were the first planters, so they met with the greatest difficulties. The York Buildings Company carried on their works in a more regular manner by sinking of shafts and sumps, and driving of drifts, whereby they found the benefit; and the deeper they go, they come into better ore: in some places the vein is three and a half yards wide, all spangled ore, interspersed with a kindly spar, and in other places it is 38 inches of solid ore bedded in a stiff loam, the deepest and richest that has been raised. And by the report of the workmen and the symptoms of the ground, the deeper they go, its to be hoped the vein will prove the richer in ore. The York Buildings Company have besides enlarged the whole work, by augmenting the number of their clerks, overseers, smelters, artficiers, miners and labourers and their several buildings proportionally. Namely four air furnaces, an almond furnace and an Essay furnace. A smelting mill with two common hearths, a flag hearth, a spacious storehouse, quay and cooperage; a furnished house for their Governor or any of the Court of assistants, another for their manager, a well furnished dispensary.

Several lodging houses for workmen in Strontian, besides another set of buildings for them at New York (near Anaheilt, NM c.815 625), which were more contiguous to the grooves, a brew house, malt barns and kiln, stables, workhouses, peat barns and timber and coalyards; and several biggings (farmsteads) upon the grooves for smiths, carpenters etc from whence they have made the roads for leading the ore to the smelting mills and furnaces at a great labour and expense; besides levelled and paved or laid with gravel, all the passages and streets in Strontian, whereby it is become wholesome and pleasant that they have also performed their part to the highways: from all which arise the following advantages to the Kingdom all taken out of the bowels of the earth'. [Canmore]

Mention should also be made of the lead mines at Corrantee and Fee Donald and the 1980s extraction of Barites for use as a lubricant in the oil industry. There is also an adit in the Airundle Oakwood to the southeast of Bellsgrove Lodge.

Alternative Names: Strontian Mines