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Braehead Quarries
Mineral Railway (Period Unassigned), Quarry(S) (Period Unassigned), Tramway (Modern)
Site Name Braehead Quarries
Classification Mineral Railway (Period Unassigned), Quarry(S) (Period Unassigned), Tramway (Modern)
Alternative Name(s) Fallahill; Fauldhoushills
Canmore ID 297464
Site Number NS96SW 62
NGR NS 91950 60448
NGR Description NS 91950 60448 and NS 92058 60662
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/297464
- Council West Lothian
- Parish Whitburn
- Former Region Lothian
- Former District West Lothian
- Former County West Lothian
NS96SW 62 91950 60448 and 92058 60662
Series of quarries running SW to NE from Braehead farmstead to the Fauldhouse Hills have been identified from oblique aerial views taken in 2008 (RCAHMSAP 2008).
The lower quarry (centred 91950 60448), survives as a water filled hole surrounded by spoil heaps. It is connected to the upper quarry (centred 92058 60662), by what appears to be the remains of a tramway , which can be seen on the air phtographs as a low embankment running NE from the lower quarry.
The quarries were also connected to the main railway system by extensive mineral railways, including the North British Railway Company East Benhar Branch.
The earliest quarry situated N of the later larger excavations, appears on the 1st Edition of the OS 6-inch map (Linlithgowshire, 1855, sheet xiii) as 'Fauldhousehill Quarry' (NS96SW 9.02), which is described in the Object Name Book of the Ordnance Survey as ' A large quarry on the farm of Fauldhousehills, out of which is taken sandstone. It is at present in the hands of the trustees of the late Mr Thomas Russell, Fauldhouse and is at present let to the Coltness Iron Company' (Name Book 1855).