Sites and Monument Record: Birkhill Clay Mine (SMR 1729)
Object detail
Site history notes
The underground workings were in operation from 1916 to 1928 (No. 1 Mine) and from 1932 to 1981 (No. 3 Mine). The clay handling buildings containing the haulage gear and clay-milling plant were from this latter period. About 50 tons of clay were extracted per day, much destined for the steelworks of Corby in the form of high quality 'Klinnit' firebricks, some also went to sugar refineries as far away as Penang and St Kitts.
The mine closed in 1981 when the company went into liquidation and the Bo'ness Heritage Trust started moves to create a visitor attraction there in 1985. The mine is free from gas and has a stable roof formed from a 6m thick slab of sandstone. Water is only a minor problem. There are some 10km of underground workings.
No 1 Mine is on the east bank of the river and has two entrances; No 2 lies on top of the bank amongst the clay processing buildings; and No 3 on the western bank.
The mine closed in 1981 when the company went into liquidation and the Bo'ness Heritage Trust started moves to create a visitor attraction there in 1985. The mine is free from gas and has a stable roof formed from a 6m thick slab of sandstone. Water is only a minor problem. There are some 10km of underground workings.
No 1 Mine is on the east bank of the river and has two entrances; No 2 lies on top of the bank amongst the clay processing buildings; and No 3 on the western bank.
Site grid ref
NS965 789
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