Alva, Silver Glen

NS89NE 55 892 976

Silver Glen has nine shafts dating back to the late 17th century, when silver mining began to develop in the area.

J Butt 1967

The abandoned silver and cobalt mines near Alva are situated on the E side of the burn at the S end of the glen. They consist of a series of shafts and levels.

The silver extracted from these mines helped to fund the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745 and the cobalt ore was used by porcelain manufacturers such as William Littler of Prestonpans in East Lothian, as a blue colouring agent.

The last few years has seen visits by many students, collectors and researchers to the remains and many of the spoil heaps are being slowly removed as a consequence of the taking of specimens. Some specimens from these workings are held in museums.

The National Museums of Scotland (NMS) have undertaken a programme of research and excavation in an attempt to safeguard the remains at this site. The programme included excavating the old dumps by hand and by JCB. A sluice box was constructed by NMS joiners using old 1910 plans with which the excavated gravel was washed and the heavy silver and cobalt minerals recovered. It was found that even at depth there was little mineralisation left in the spoil heaps though a few specimens containing silver crystals arranged in fern-like structures and cobalt ore did survive.

Some specimens are being studied by researchers investigating the mineral emplacement and also for research into Scottish silver coinage.

The spoil heaps have been reinstated and it is hoped that further work will lead to the rediscovery of the lost cobalt vein.

Information from Brian Jackson, National Museums of Scotland, 5 April 1995.

The 1st edition of the OS 6-inch map (Perth & Clackmannan, sheet cxxxiii, 1857), depicts two silver mines, one cobalt mine all disused, and two old mines. The OS Name Book (Name Book 1867), notes that there were 'five mines can still be easily seen'.

Informaton from RCAHMS (DE), 28 April 1995.