Lurga, Old Lead Mines

NM75NW 4 centred 732 554

See also NM75NW 3.

(Cited as old lead mines, Gleann Dubh). Worked by Sir Alexander Murray of Stnhope c. 1733-43 and again in the early 19th century. The remains of open-cast works with ruined drystone buildings, at least one of which (at NM 735 553) was used for processing.

J R Hume 1977.

Remains of opencast workings and associated spoil heaps can be seen on both banks of a small burn 0.5km W of Lurga.

The mine was opened shortly before 1733 and production ran for about 10 years. In 1749 it was reported that the workings were flooded and that the smithy, storehouse and cabins had been demolished. Work resumed in 1803, but the scale of production was small and activity seems to have ceased by the middle of the century.

RCAHMS 1980, visited July 1972.

The monument consists of the remains of lead mines, opened around 1730, derelict by 1749, re-opened around 1803 and finally abandoned by 1850.

Information from Historic Scotland, scheduling document dated 20 February 1998.