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Tait's Adit [Mouth]

Whytes Cleugh, Wanlockhead, Dumfriesshire.

Site of adit mouth for day level that connected the eastern workings of the Cove & Belton Grain veins beneath the hill of Wanlock Dod (to the E). The OS map of 1863 shows tramlines exiting the mouth at the given coordinates. Mouth probably now blocked.

"Tait's was once an important day level into the higher workings in Cove and Beltongrain veins. Above the leat, a later water system of earthenware pipes and wooden troughs carried water from the Whyte's Cleuch and Limpen Burns to a small cistern near the minehead." [NMRS, 1976]

Alternative Names: Whytes Cloegh, Whitescleugh

Notes: Tait's Adit shown in cross-section of Cove Mine workings, connected to surface by two shallow shafts (Mine Plan SP1765).

Whyte's Cleugh is a small cleugh or Glen and Burn, rising at the foot of Whytes Dod (or Hill). Recorded as a site of finds of rare minerals and the possible exploitation of bedrock gold.

The Duke's agent reported in 1758. The Whytes Cleugh is a small burn which flows into the Wanlock below the engine site. An attempt to provide extra water power from this source had been made before '.... though it never answered the purpose ... (and) ... it is doubtful whether we shall meet with better success now ....'. [probably relates to the neighbouring Bay Mine]