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Carbrook Mine

Larbert, Carbrook, NW of Torwood, SW of Carbrook Mains, Stirlingshire.

Mine (Fireclay), 20th Century.

Significant grid-like mine workings over two levels in upper and lower fireclay seams, contained within the area between Glen Road and the A9. The most laterally extensive works were within the upper seam that extended ca. 0.9km from E to W, although the combined passage length will easily exceed 10 km. The main drift mine mouth was located at the given 8 fig. coordinates. See abandonment plans (in refs) for detailed layout.

Alternative Names: Carbrook Clay Mine

Notes: Craigend Refractories (Craigend, Polmont) closed October 1982. The clay for the bricks was transported from the Carbrook Mines by lorries hired from William Grants. Originally (c. 1938) 100 people were employed by the mine. In 1979 - 20 people worked the mine and delivered 200 tons of clay per day.

Craigend Brickworks Ltd established 1938 on site of a drift mine at Craigend, Falkirk. William Wilson founded the works in 1937 on site of Whiterigg and Craigend Collieries (Carron Company). He also opened Carbrook Mine to supply brickworks with fireclay. The site was leased to the company by Carron Co. Works.

The works closed in 1943 due to lack of demand for bricks during WW2, but re-opened after the war. In 1964, the Craigend pit's blae supply was exhausted and the works concentrated on making refractories (refractory bricks with a high alumina content) using clay from the Carbrook Mine. Its name changed to Craigend Refractories Ltd in February 1972 and the company was sold to Amalgamated Anthracite Holdings Ltd. In 1982, Carbrook Mine only worked in response to to demand from Craigend works. Carbrook Scotland's last fireclay mine, closed Oct 1982. In 1983, Carbrook Mine and Craigend Works closed and its remaining assets and trade names were sold to Burn Fireclay Co of Morpeth. [Scotland's Brick and Tile Manufacturing Industry.]

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Records relating to the Carbrook Mine are held in the Falkirk Archives, Callendar House, Falkirk.

The Craigend Refractories produced bricks under the names of birds of prey including 'eagle', 'falcon' and 'kestrel'.

Hydrographic Feeds: Tor Burn

Hydrographic Resurgences: Tor Burn