Pick head
code: LVSAV1984.113
Description
Shale miner's pick head, 17" long. Part of the miners "graith" or toolkit
Used for dislodging and breaking the shale after it had been loosened with explosive charges, circa 1950.
The donor, James McArthur, was a shale miner from Polbeth, West Calder, employed by Scottish Oils Ltd. He was also a member of the rescue brigade and was one of the first men to go down the pit in an attempt to reach the men trapped by the explosion at Burngrange No 1 & 2 Pit on 10th January 1947