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Cumbernauld Fireclay Mine

Cumbernauld, Palacerigg, Dumbartonshire.

Mine (fireclay), 1884-1958.

"The Cumbernauld Brick and Pipe works was started in 1874 by the Cumbernauld Fire-clay Co. In 1882 the business was taken over by the Glenboig Union Fireclay Co. Ltd. who started to exploit seams of fireclay at Glencryan. The mine was driven from its entrance more than a mile to the north east towards older workings. At its peak 20 men were employed underground.

The mine was connected to the fireclay works to the east of Cumbernauld station - one kilometre away - on the Caledonian railway by a tramway which passed through a short tunnel about 100m long to the immediate west of the mine entrance...

It was said that, "The Glencryan clay is of excellent quality and is used for the manufacture of furnace bricks and blocks, drain pipes, ornamental tiles and other fireclay goods."

The mine closed in 1958 apparently due to the complete failure of the winding engine - which is said to have been removed from a ship and recycled - that powered the tramway although the brickworks kept going, using imported clay until closure in 1969." [Geograph, R. Murray]

Alternative Names: Glencryan Fireclay Mine, Glen Cryan Mine, Palacerigg Mine, Cumbernauld Mine

Notes: A number of adit (and open collapse) photos, taken by R. Murray, are shown on Geograph at various locations.

Various old sandstone quarries are located around the plantation to the W & NW of the mine tunnel.