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Balta Sound Mine

Unst, Hill of Voesgarth, Shetland.

Mine, Open‑cast

In 1817, Dr Hibbert discovered that the chromate of iron was an abundant ingredient of the serpentine of the island of Unst, being disseminated in the form of granular particles of the size and colour of gunpowder. These particles were most apparent in the rocks in the vicinity of Balta Sound and Haroldswick, and between Balta Sound and the Loch of Cliff. [TEGS]

On the north side of Balta Sound, in Unst, Shetland, chromite was worked at one time on a fairly extensive scale, and about 100 tons were obtained in 1914, but the mine is now closed.

The quarries are situated on rising ground above the fine natural harbour of Balta Sound, and we are informed that the ore was carried in ships to Leith or Bo'ness in the Eirth of Forth. This seems to have gone on for about 15 years, but was discontinued about the year 1845. [Special Reports]

Alternative Names: Balta Sound Open Cast Mine

Notes: Marked on OS 1902 Sheet 5 as Chromate Quarries. See also Hagdale Horse-mill and Hagdale Chromate Railway.