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Barjarg Mine

Nithsdale, Auldgirth, NW of Dumfries, Barjarg Tower, Dumfriesshire.

Mines, Quarries (Limestone). 19th Century.

Underground workings below 30-50' overburden, sites of level mouths now situated in woodland. Partially flooded but can be penetrated for half a mile. Currently graffiti- & litter-strewn.

"About 7 chains South-West of Barjarg Village. Large and extensive Lime Works. There are three Kilns but two of which are in a ruinous condition, the greater part of the Stone is take out of a mine and conveyed to the kiln by means of Iron Trucks . The Mine is about 150yards under Ground, the property of W H Arundell Occupied by William McCaig. A Limestone Quarry near Barjarg Tower." [OS Namebook]

"There are, here, abandoned quarries and mines of considerable extent in a Lower Carboniferous seam of which 10 ft. are now seen, and which dips N.E. at 25° under a cover of 30 to 50 ft. of sandstone. Half a mile to the north-west was Porterstown quarry and mine. The extent of the mines is not accurately known at either locality, but at Barjarg the workings can be penetrated for some distance." [Robertson, 1949]

Alternative Names: Barjarg Dolomite Mine, Barjarg Quarry

Notes: Level mouths served by tracks / tramways are depicted on OS 1st & 2nd Ed. map at [NX 8807 9030] & [8786 9038]; given 8 fig. coordinates are for the latter (W).

Despite earlier database claims Barjarg is not in Lanarkshire.

Waterwheel extracted from Barjarg by members of the Glasgow Speleological Group c. 1970 now in the National Museum of Scotland.