The ruins of Woodhead Lead Mine sit to the west of Carsphairn. The mine began its life in 1838 and is a unique example of a mine developed, financed and worked by a local landowner - Colonel MacAdam Cathcart.

It developed into a total production unit - one of only two in Scotland - carrying out all of the processes from mining the ore to the exporting of high quality lead pigs and some silver. As well as the mine and its workings, Cathcart also built a 'model' village for the workers which contained its own school and library. By 1851, over 300 people lived here. The mine closed in 1873, although some of the housing was still inhabited until the first half of the 20th century.

Many of the structures still survive as ruins spread over a large area and it makes for a very interesting and beautiful walk. Possibly "the country's only example of an industrial ghost town", it's definitely worth a visit!

[Source: https://scotlandstartshere.com/point-of-interest/woodhead-lead-mine/]

Maps and images are available on: https://www.carsphairn.org/CarsphairnArchive/items/browse?tags=Woodhead+lead+mine

The main ore shoot, the Woodhead Vein. The vein, up to 1 m wide, bifurcates southward with several intervening ore stringers.
The eastern branch is now identified as the Garryhorn Vein and runs parallel to the Woodhead Vein about 90 m to the north-east.

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

References