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Westwood No.1 Pit

NW of Mossend, Livingston, West Lothian.

Mine (Shale), 20th Century.

"One of the largest, deepest and longest-lived of shale workings, and the last shale pit to remain in operation. Westwood was Scottish Oils Ltd's showcase pit during the 1920's and 30's... Sunk to the Dunnet Shale by the Oakbank Oil Company Ltd in the year 1915 and command and area of about 500 acres of oil shale, comprising the Broxburn and Dunnet seams. The pits are circular in shape, the downcast or winding shaft being 16' in diameter, the upcast being 14' in diameter. Both pits are 700 feet deep and are brick-lined from top to bottom... There are two seams of shale presently being worked; Broxburn and Dunnet. The distance between the seams is 380 feet. The Broxburn Shale is about 5' thick and the Dunnet Shale from 12' to 14' thick. The method of working is stoop and room." [Scottish Shale]

Worked in conjunction with the neighbouring Westwood No.2 Pit. Shaft sites now occupied by industrial yard.

Alternative Names: Westwood No.1 Shale Pit, Westwood Pit

Notes: Served Westwood Crude Oil Works.

The waste from Westwood Nos 1 & 2 pits produced the adjacent Five Sisters (aka Westwood) Bing.

Scottish Shale states pit depth of 116 fms [212m].