Lead Mining at Leadhills
Leadhills owes its existence to the occurrence of lead which has been exploited since early medieval times.
Leadhills, together with Wanlockhead, is the most important lead-zinc deposit in Scotland having produced an estimated half a million tons of lead concentrates.
During the 16th century the district was the location of Scotland’s only large scale commercial gold mining operation.
Although lead mining at Leadhills ceased in 1929 after more than 300 years of continuous exploitation, the district still attracts the interest of mineral collectors.
The rare mineral species leadhillite, lanarkite, caledonite and susannite, were first discovered at Leadhills. Known as ‘Type Localities’ these minerals, as well as the many others that can be found in the area, have established the worldwide reputation of the Leadhills mines.
To this day, beautiful examples of many minerals can be found in and around the old mine dumps that are a feature of the area.
‘Lord Hopetoun’s Lead Mine’ (c.1746-51) by Paul Sandby.
(Yale Center for British Art, New Haven, Connecticut, USA).
Pounding The Ore – NG2834
Smelting The Ore – NG2836
Washing The Ore – NG2835
Weighing The Lead Bar – NG2837
A series of 4 paintings by David Allan, depicting the stages of processing lead ore at Leadhills. c. 1786.
Reproduced by kind permission of The National Galleries of Scotland.
Longitudinal section of Susanna Vein.
(Hopetoun Archives HHP 133)
Lady Manner’s Scar where the famous Susanna Vein was worked and where the ‘new minerals’ were found in the late 18th century.
The vein was originally worked opencast.
Location
15 Main Street,
Leadhills,
South Lanarkshire
Scotland ML12 6XP
Opening Hours
Saturdays and Sundays
2pm to 5pm.
May to September.
Visits by appointment can be arranged throughout the year.
Leadhills Miners' Library is the World's first library for working people.
Alongside our collection of some 2500 books dating back to the 18th Century, the library contains many historical archives and photographs as well as a display of rare minerals connected to the local mining industry.
We also hold a 46 volume collection of mining journals and bargain books, recording contracts between the mine managers and miners from 1737-1854. It is the largest collection of its kind in Scotland and one of the largest in Britain.
Local Leadhills and Wanlockhead Links
Lead Mining Museum: https://www.leadminingmuseum.co.uk/
Leadhills Railway: https://www.leadhillsrailway.co.uk/
Ski Club: https://skiclub.lowtherhills.com/
Hopetoun Arms Hotel: https://www.hopetounarms.co.uk
