Go to the Main Scottish Cave and Mine Database Search Page

Torwood Mine

Torwood, NE of Dunipace, Stirlingshire.

Mine (Fireclay), 20th Century.

Modest-scale mine workings with three levels, all mined in grid-form and accessed from a main drift entrance at the NW end of the complex (given 8 fig. coordinates). The most extensive workings were within the lower (Millstone Grit) fireclay seam, extending ca. 400-500 m to the SE (limited to areas SW of Glen Road). A pond at the entrance area suggests that the interior is probably flooded. See abandonment plans (in refs) for detailed layout.

"Torwood Fireclay Mine, Larbert, Falkirk was operated by the Bonnybridge Silica and Fireclay Company from 1948 to sometime in the 1970s when it was closed. This fireclay had a high alumina content.

Torwood Mine, Dunipace originally supplied fireclay to Craigend Refractories at Avonbridge but the latter sold the mine to Bonnybridge Silica and Fireclay Company who continued to work it until it closed. The worked out clay was hauled to the surface by electronically driven winding gear. In 1978 the mine had 25 employees. Remains of brick structures on the site show they were constructed with Bonnybridge Brand and Drangaini? bricks." [Scottish Brick History]

Alternative Names: None recorded.

Notes: Separate site to the neighbouring Carbrook Mine.

Fireclay is usually used in the refractory industry for making heat-resistant bricks to line furnaces in the iron and steel industry. Beds of fireclay occur in the lower part of the Carboniferous Coal Measures and in the top and lower parts of the Passage Formation. Fireclay was formerly mined underground and latterly by opencast methods, although in 1991, the workings were inactive.