Museum of Lead Mining
The Visitor Centre is situated in the heart of the village of Wanlockhead, which is Scotland's highest village at 1531 ft/468.08m above sea level.
The Centre, which was once the village 'Smiddy' has a walk-through exhibition which tells the story of how lead ore or 'galena' was won at the face and the processes it went through to become the lead products that we know today. Our museum is unique to Scotland as it is the only former lead mine open to the public where you can see displays of some of the most spectacular minerals found in the Lowther Hills. We also have a vast amount of information on the families who lived and worked in Wanlockhead and the surrounding areas.
After visiting the exhibition follow the Visitors' Trail and see the other fantastic attractions that we have in store for you. Our guides will ensure you have a memorable experience.
The Wanlockhead Miner's Library is the second oldest subscription Library in Scotland and indeed Europe and was established on the 1 November 1756 with 32 men. The atmosphere of the Miner's Library has to be experienced to fully understand the influence that the books had on the lives of the miners and their families. Only 40 miners' sons 'escaped' from the mines in the 40 years between 1835 and 1875 and this was due in great part to the Miners' Library and the books it held.
However, when the mines were closed in 1934, sounded the death-knell for the library. Following the First World War decline set in due mainly to the fall in demand for lead and the dwindling numbers of people in Wanlockhead. The library finally closed in March 1938. Upon taking over the library the Museum discovered that the building was in a poor condition the books were in need of a great deal of attention. Extensive and expensive repairs were required to the interior and exterior to bring it back to how it looked when it was still open.
The Museum of Lead Mining is situated in Dumfries & Galloway and is easily accessed from both the M74 and the A76.
Contact
Mr
Gerard
Montgomery
Goldscaur Road
Wanlockhead
Dumfries & Galloway
ML12 6UT
Scotland
Tel: +44 (1659) 74387
Fax: +44 (1659) 74481
E-Mail: info@goldpan.co.uk
WWW: http://www.leadminingmuseum.co.uk
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