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Hurlford Fireclay Workings

Hurlford, SE of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire.

Mine (Fireclay).

"John Howie (12/03/1833 - 20/09/1895) first started making firebricks in 1857 at Old Hurlford just west of the Defiance Coal Pit, where extensive bings of fireclay and blaes had been dumped from the coal workings. John's father was a coalmaster and initially many of the bricks were used to support the underground haulage roads. John soon sank his own shaft to the fireclay seams to obtain better and more uniform fireclay to supply the local ironworks" [SBH]

Alternative Names: None recorded.

Notes: Given 8 fig. coordinates are for a mine shaft located on grounds of Hurlford Fireclay Works, shown as being in use on 1924 Geol. Survey map (Major Coal & Hurlford Main Coal at 40 & 60 fathoms, respectively).

A number of old coal shafts are also shown in the local area, particularly at the Chapelhill Coal Pit (at Old Hurlford) & Defiance Coal Pit (at Newhouse).