Pathhead, Crichton, Limekilns

NT36SE 51.00 39304 61590.

NT36SE 51.01 NT 39274 61586 Derilict Store/Cottage

NT 392 616. Probably early 19th century. Two very substantial 3-draw kilns, at right angles to each other, with a range of single-storey offices/ houses nearby. Now used as a store.

J R Hume 1976.

L-plan lime kiln. Random rubble; dressed stone long and short quoins, 2 stone lined flues with 4 draw holes. projecting kiln with semi-circular rubble drawhole to centre; blind left return adjoing earth mound; semi-circular rubble drawhole to right return in re-entrant angle; shared flue to top; segmental rubble drawhole off centre right, semi-circular rubble drawhole to right return, shared flue to top of structure; earth access mound to rear of structure.

Limekilns were usually associated with lime stone quarries, and one is situated behind it, another can be found along the hillside. The kilns/quarries were important for the industrial development of the area, hence encouraged a larger population to the area, especially Pathhead, where workers and their families lived. The lime supplied from the Crichton area is well known. It is said to have been used in the building of Melrose Abbey, hinting at an industry many centuries old. Limestone was also burned in the vicinity, shells being found near the Pict's House at Crichton Farm. The lime was of the finest quality, and was used in mortar during the building of Edinburgh. It also had a use within argiculture as manure and the iron industry. The Crichton limekiln remains well intact and is one of the best preserved examples in Midlothian. The design of the kilns are two semi-adjoining square buildings, with multiple draw holes. The sophisticated construction meant the lime could be extraced regardless of wind direction, hence not hold up production. Adjacent to the kiln is a range of office buildings, now unused and roofless. Tracks to the nearby quarries still remain. (Historic Scotland)