Scottish shale Scottish shale

Barbauchlaw (lands)

Parish:
Bathgate, Linlithgowshire
Local authority:
West Lothian

A substantial area of land, bounded to the north by the Barbauchlaw burn, and including most of the town of Armadale.

Landowners included:

  • Sir William Honeyman of Armadale (from 1790)
  • Alex Dennistoun, one-time MP for Dumbarton (during the 1850's until 1861)
  • Alexander Turner (from 1861)
  • John Moffat (in 1875)
  • George Redman ( from 1875? until 1922?)
  • William Baird & Co. Ltd in 1922

The lands were split into a number of mineral leases. Leasees including

References

COAL AND IRONSTONE TO LET.

THE COAL and IRONSTONE on the Lands of by OGILFACE, BARBAUCHLAW, and COUSTON, in the parishes of Torphichen and Bathgate, and county of Linlithgow. These minerals lie favourable for working, dipping nearly in the same direction as the surface grounds, at the rate of one in ten or twelve. Of the coal there are several seams from 28 inches to 4 feet thick, and a small part of only two of these seams has been wrought out above the level of a burn which runs along the march, and through part of these lands nearly four miles, and in less than half of that distance drives the machinery of a flax mill, and two corn mills.

There is a great variety of Ironstone; some of the seams and ball stones are of a very rich quality, and two different kinds have been taken out by the Carron Company, and carried to their works by land, a distance of 15 or 16 miles. These lands have the new turnpike road between Edinburgh and Glasgow passing through them, and are nearly at the same distance (21 miles) from each of these towns. There is another turnpike road leading from there to Borrowstounness, distance 8 or 9 miles, and within two miles are inexhaustible limestone quarries of a good quality, belonging to different proprietors, where any quantity of limestone or burnt lime may be purchased.

The circumstances above mentioned point out the of lands as a most; favourable Situation for the making of Pig Iron. The proprietors will give every encouragement for the establishment of a work of that nature by granting perpetual feu rights or building leases of 99 years of any part of these lands, and to the extent that may be thought necessary. As the lands are amply supplied with freestone and sand, also with clay, well adapted to the making of tiles and bricks, any buildings to be erected can be executed at a very moderateo expence. Any fur.ther information may be obtained from Mr Sandilands, or Mr Alex. Dallas, W. S. Edinburgh.

Caledonian Mercury, 6th October 1806

.......

The LANDS of BARBAUCHLAW, consisting of 734 Scots acres, whereof there are 520 acres arable, and the remainder partly pastute, and partly under thriving plantations. The new Glasgow road passes through Barbauchlaw lands for upwards of two miles, affording very easy access to markets, and lime-works, which are at the distance of about two miles. There is a good going colliery on the estate. The lands are understood to be full of coal and iron-stone of the best qualities, and the water of Barbauchlaw, which bounds the lands on the north, has fall for driving machinery. The whole lands are inclosed, and fall progressively out of lease in a few years, none of the leases: exceeding eight years after Martinmas 1813, except about 116 acres, which fall out of lease soon after. The thriving village, of Armadale is on this lot, and there is an easy communication with Edinburgh and Glasgow,and all the intervening country by means of public carriages, where of eight pass along this road daily. There is a turnpike road leading to the burgh of Linlitlhgow, which is six miles distant, and the town of Bathgate is within two miles. This lot holds of the Crown, and affords a Freehold Qualification.

Caledonian Mercury, 4th October 1813

.......

The same (ironstone) seam has been also found in the lands of Barbauchlaw adjoining, belonging to Alex. Dennistoun, Esq., late M.P. for Dumbarton, and in some other lands in the vicinity belonging to C. H. C. Inglis, Esq. of Cramond. Both the last mentioned lands are leased by the Monklands Iron and Steel Company.

Falkirk Herald 19th August 1852

.......

COUNTY OF LINLITHGOW, VALUABLE LANDS AND MINERALS IN THE PARISH OF BATHGATE FOR SALE.

There will be exposed to Sale, by Public Roup, within the Faculty Hall, Saint George's Place, Glasgow, on Wednesday the 3d day of October, 1860, at Two o'clock Afternoon (unless previously disposed of by Private Bargain), ALL and WHOLE the LANDS of BARBAUCHLAW, lying in the Parish of Bathgate and Shire of Linlithgow. The Lands, according to the Ordnance Survey, extend to about 932 Acres, of which about Two-thirds are Arable, and about 47 Acres are Plantations, or Land under Wood. The Arable Lands are let on Lease to Five Tenants, at the aggregate Rental, including interest on improvements, of £529 Is 3d. The Village of Armadale is Feued off the Estate. The present Feu-duties amount 12s 10d, and there is every probability of more Ground being Feued out. The Minerals are very valuable. The Ironstone and Gas Coal are Let on Lease of 19 years from Martinmas, 1853, and the Royalty obtained therefrom last year, including small sum obtained for an excellent Freestone Quarry ou the Estate, amounted to £1134 19s. The Total Rental last year was £1806 9s 1d. The Lands are held of the Crown, and the whole Public Burdens are about £58 per annum. For further particulars, apply to Bannatynes and Kirkwood, Writers, 151 West George Street, Glasgow, who will exhibit the Title Deeds and Articles of Roup. Glasgow, 6th Sept.,1860.

Falkirk Herald, 20th September 1860

.......

COUNTY OF LINLITHGOW. VALUABLE LANDS AND MINERALS THE PARISH OF BATHGATE FOR SALE.

Upset Price Reduced to £32,000, in order to insure competition. There will be exposed to Sale by Public Roup, within the Faculty Hall, St George's Place, Glasgow, on Wednesday the 13th day of February next, at Two o'clock afternoon (unless previously Sold by private bargain),

THE LANDS and BARONY of BARBAUCHLAW, in the Parish of Bathgate and Shire of Linlithgow, containing, according to the Ordnance Survey, Acres or thereby, of which about Two thirds are Arable, and about 47 Acres are Plantations, or Land under Wood. The Lands, which are Let to Five Tenants, aggregate rental of £534 7s 9d, are situated in the vicinity of the Town of Bathgate, in the midst of one of the most rising districts in Scotland, where ready market is obtained for Farm and Dairy Produce. The Minerals are extensive and very valuable. The Ironstone and Gas Coal are Let on Lease, and their Royalties, &c, last year, amounted to 17s. The Torbanehill Mineral is being wrought in the adjoining Lands, and the Mineral Tenants of Barbauchlaw are working Parrot Coal of similar description, to which additional pits are in course of being sunk them, so as greatly to increase its output.

The rapidly-extending village Armadale is Feued on the Estate, and a large and increasing return from the Feus may be expected. The annual Feuduties at present amount to £141 8s 2d. The Sale of Timber from the Lands has yielded, on average for several years, the sum of per annum. The total rental last year amounted to £2038 12s 11 Ad, consisting of— (1.) Land Rent at £534 7 9 (2.) Mineral Rental.... 1284 17 0 (3.) Feu-duties 141 8 21 (4.) Timber 78 0 0 £2038 12 The Lands are held the Crown, and the whole Burdens are about £58 per annum. The Teinds are valued and exhausted. For further particulars apply to Messrs Bannatyne & Kirkwood, Writers, West George Street Glasgow, who will exhibit the Title Deeds, Articles of Roup, and a Plan of the Estate. Glasgow, 11th January, 1861.

Falkirk Herald 7th February 1861

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COURT OF SESSION

Thursday, June 12. First Division. Petition— McClelland and Others. This was a petition for recall of arrestments used by Alexander Turner of Barbauchlaw upon the dependence of an action at his instance against M'Clelland and others, as trustees for the Monkland Iron and Steel Company, in a lease granted to them in 1854, by the former proprietor of Barbauchlaw, of the ironstone, and gas-coal in these lands, for declarator that the lease came to an end on llth November, or at least in 1861 in consequence of the insolvency of the Company, and for decree of removing, and also for payment of L.50 000 as damages for possession unjustly maintained since the insolvency. The lease was for nineteen years from Martinmas 1853 Assignees were excluded, but no sub-tenants- There was no irritancy declared in it in case of bankruptcy In July 1861 the Company suspended payment, and afterwards it was resolved to wind up the Company, and a sub-tack of the minerals was granted to Messrs McClelland with power to divide the proceeds among the creditors, and on full payment to retrocess the principal tacksmen.

Dundee Courier, 23rd June 1862

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LINLITHGOWSHIRE. MINERAL FIELD TO LET.

THE MINERALS in the Western Portion of the Estate of Barbauchlaw, lying in the Parish of Bathgate, and Rent extending to upwards of 230 Acres. The Minerals now being worked in the Eastern portion of the Estate consist of Ironstone, Coal, and the well-known Torbanehill Mineral, and it is believed that the same Strata exists in the Western portion. A Branch of the Monkland Railway passes through the Lands now to be Let. Mr. James Prentice, Armadale, by Bathgate, will point out the Boundaries; and, for further particulars, apply to Towers-Clark, Roberton & Ross, Writers, Glasgow, by whom Offers will be received. Glasgow, June 30, 1863.

Glasgow Herald, 3rd July 1863

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VALUABLE LANDS AND MINERALS IN THE PARISH OF BATHGATE FOR Sale

To be Exposed to SALE by Public Roup within the Faculty Hall, St. George's Place , Glasgow , on Wednesday the 23rd of September 1868 ( unless previously disposed of), at , Two o' clock PM , THE ESTATE of BARBAUCHLAW, lying in the parish of Bathgate and Shire of Linlithgow. The Lands according to the Ordnance Survey, extend about 932 Acres , of which about two-thirds are Arable and about 17 Acres consist of Plantations. The Arable Lands are Let on lease to Five Tenants at an Aggregate Rental of £735. The farm buildings have recently been renewed, and are in first-rate condition. The Village of Armadale is situate on the Estate . The Feu Duties amount to about . £180 , and there is every probability of more ground being feued out . The annual return from Workmen's Houses belonging to the property is £128. The Ironstone and Gas Coal in the eastern portion of the Estate are Let on Lease for Nineteen Years from Whitsunday 1853; and the royally royalty obtained therefrom in the last three years has averaged upwards of £2000 per annum. The Minerals in the western portion of the Estate are still unproved , but they are believed to be valuable . This portion is intersected by a Mineral Railway. The Minerals in 22 Acres of the Farm of Woodend , lying on the North Side of the Barbauchlaw Burn which bounds the estate on the north , belong to the property, and are capable of being worked from the pits thereon. The lands are held of the Crown, and the public burdens are moderate . Mr JAMES PRENTICE , Mining Engineer , Bathgate, will point out the Mineral Fields and boundaries of the Estate; and further particulars may be had from Messrs TOWERS-CLARK , ROBERTSON & Ross , Writers, 176 St Vincent Street , Glasgow, in whose hands are the Titles and Articles of Roup.

The Scotsman 26th August 1868

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VALUABLE LANDS AND MINERALS IN THE PARISH OF BATHGATE FOR SALE

Upset Price reduced to £33,000 To be Exposed to SALE by Public Roup within the Faculty Hall, St. George's Place , Glasgow , on Wednesday the 1st of March 1871 (unless previously disposed of by private bargain), at Two o' clock PM , THE ESTATE of BARBAUCHLAW, lying in the parish of Bathgate and Shire of Linlithgow. The Lands according to the Ordnance Survey, extend about 932 Acres , of which about two-thirds are Arable and about 47 Acres consist of Plantations. The Arable Lands are Let on lease to Five Tenants at an Aggregate Rental of £765. The farm buildings have recently been renewed, and are in first-rate condition. The Village of Armadale is situate on the Estate. The Feu Duties amount to about £180, and there is every probability of more ground being feued out. The annual return from Workmen's Houses belonging to the property is £128. The Ironstone and Gas Coal in the eastern portion of the Estate are Let on Lease which expires at Martinmas 1872; and the royalty obtained therefrom in the last three years has averaged upwards of £1600 per annum. The Minerals in the western portion of the Estate are still unproved , but they are believed to be valuable. This portion is intersected by a Mineral Railway. The Minerals in 22 Acres of the Farm of Woodend, lying on the North Side of the Barbauchlaw Burn which bounds the estate on the north , belong to the property, and are capable of being worked from the pits thereon. The lands are held of the Crown, and the public burdens are moderate .

Mr JAMES PRENTICE , Mining Engineer , Bathgate, will point out the Mineral Fields and boundaries of the Estate; and further particulars may be had from Messrs TOWERS-CLARK , ROBERTSON & ROSS , Writers, 176 St Vincent Street, Glasgow, in whose hands are the Titles and Articles of Roup.

The Scotsman 10th February 1871

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BARBAUCHLAW ESTATE SOLD. PURCHASED BY MESSRS BAIRD and COMPANY.

Barbauchlaw Estate. Armadale. West Lothian. belonging to Mr Headman, Edinburgh, has been purchased by Messrs Wm. Baird and Co., coalowners. The purpose for which the purchase has been made is, we understand, to secure coal in the lower measures. Messrs Baird and Co. recently took over the coalfields in Bathgate formerly held by Messrs Gavin Paul and Sons. Edinburgh, and from their Hopetoun Collieries in Bathgate they are now entering upon a large scheme to open up coal seams in and around Bathgate and Armadale. In the Armadale area purchased the United Collieries own several coal pits, but the purchase in no way affects them, as they hold leases sufficiently long to enable them to work out all the coal in their sphere of operations. On the southern boundary of Armadale up to and a little beyond the Station. the mineral rights are held by Messrs Dixon and Coy., Ltd.. who have collieries is the Whitburn area.

West Lothian Courier, 22nd December 1922