The Ramsay Colliery

This pit was sunk in 1850, in Loanhead, as part of the mining boom that would bankrupt the owner, Robert Wardlaw Ramsay. Encouraged by the profits of his other mining ventures, Robert literally sunk his family’s wealth in this pit. Coal prices fluctuated regularly, and Robert was caught out. He resorted to selling the lease to his foreman, Archibald Hood. The rest is history! The colliery was later taken over by the Shotts Iron Company, because it produced blackband iron ore as well as coal.  There is lots left to see of the mining operation…