Torbanehill No.3 pit

Parish:

Bathgate, Linlithgowshire

Ownership:

James Russel and Son

Opened:

c.1852

Closed:

By 1870?

Current status of site:

Site subject to opencast working c.1990 - no surface traces survive.

Regional overview:

Mines in the Boghead coal

Pit to the Boghead Coal, common coal and ironstone, about 28 fathoms deep, within the lands of the Torbanehill estate. Served by the Torbane branch of the Monkland Railway and linked by tram-road to the Wilsontown, Coltness and Morningside Railway.

According to the OS Name Book OS1/34/9/42 c.1854:

No.3 is situated ¼ mile South of the farmstead of West Mains and is in full operation - it is 27 fathoms deep - it produces an excellent Quality of Gas or Parrot Coal 8 to 20 inches in thickness and a seam of Common Coal from 20 to 30 inches - It is worked by a water engine of 50 horse power and a winding engine 15 horse power - It is worked by the Messrs. Russel & Sons - There is Ironstone also found in this pit.

Location of pit and boundary of Torbanehill estate.

Location of pit, and boundaries of the lands of Torbanehill

Torbanehill No.3 pit, on the 25" OS map surveyed c.1855 - courtesy of National Library of Scotland

Site of Torbanehill No.3 pit; satellite view c.2020

Site of Torbanehill No.3 pit; lidar view c.2020

Torbanehill No.3 pit

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