Leadhills Library - Bargain Books

An important part of Social History, The ‘Bargain Books’ represent the agreements made between miners and the mine owner in respect to payment received for works carried out by the miners.

Bargain Books 1757-1786 – Books 1/6 to 6

The day to day working of the mines is recorded in the Journals and Bargain Books preserved in the Library.
These describe in detail every piece of work undertaken in the mines and the names of the miners involved.

The individual books can be explored here.

Please note that the Journals and bargain books are best viewed on Tablet or Desktop.

Bargain Books – 1757 – 1786

To view a Bargain book just click on the image of your choice.
To choose a different date range click here.

Bargain Book

Bargain Book No.1/6
LML029

1757 – 1760

Bargain Book

Bargain Book No.2
LML030

1765 – 1770

Bargain Book

Bargain Book No.3
LML031

1770 – 1773

Bargain Book

Bargain Book No.4
LML032

1773 – 1776

Bargain Book

Bargain Book No.5
LML033

1776 – 1781

Bargain Book

Bargain Book No.6
LML034

1781 – 1786

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

Leadhills Scenery