Hartrigg No. 4 & 5 pit

The 1883 List of Mines records Harthill No.4, owned by the Shotts Iron Co. Ltd. manager Robert Jamieson, working the Black Band Ironstone and gas coal by the longwall method, employing 13 on the surface and 27 underground. The downcast shaft was 9' x 5.5' and 192 ft deep. It was a non-fiery mine

The 1884 List of Mines records Harthill No.4, owned by the Shotts Iron Co. Ltd. manager Robert Jamieson, working the BB Ironstone 18”, Gas coal 7” and Rough coal 36” by the longwall and stoop & room methods, employing 17 on the surface and 52 underground. The downcast shaft was 9' x 6' and 174ft deep, the upcast 5 x 5.5' and 132 ft, deep. It was a non-fiery mine ventilated by furnace

The 1885 List of Mines records Harthill No.4, owned by the Shotts Iron Co. Ltd. manager Thomas Orr, working the BB Ironstone 12”, Gas coal 4” and Rough coal 36” by the longwall method, employing 18 on the surface and 50 underground. The downcast shaft was 9' x 9' and 174ft deep, the upcast 5 x 4 ½' and 132 ft, deep. It was a non-fiery mine ventilated by furnace

• 1924 - pumping, employing 4 surface workers; manager Wm. Hunter
• 1938 - pumping, employing 1 underground and 3 surface workers; manager James Paterson
• 1944 - pumping, employing 1 underground and 3 surface workers; manager John Watson

The fourth source of supply was from Hartrigg Pit. It was first used as a temporary measure in 1911 when the Forrestburn Reservoir got dry. Owing to the dificulties since then of keeping up the supply, the supply from Hartrigg Pit had been continued.. Hartrigg Pit belonged to the United Collieries and was not being worked. It was entirely at the good-will of the United Collieries. The Committee were waiting until they got authority for the supply they were asking authority for now. In reply to the Chairman, Mr Simpson said he did not know the purpose of United Collieries pumping, but there were many pits in the area and he believed the Company were obliging the committee in this respect that they were pumping from Hartrigg Pit more than they actually required to do.

West Lothian Courier, 1st August 1924

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Water Position Deteriorates - In an effort to relieve the situation pumping operations were started last week at Hartrigg No. 4 Mine at Blackridge. A disused pit which was last used for augmentation purposes by the Water Authority in 1939.

West Lothian Courier, 19th June 1953