Blackrig

NS87SE 10.00 centred on 8514 7121

NS87SE 10.01 NS 8472 7092 Coal Mine (CSW 4173)

NS87SE 10.02 NS 8514 7121 Coal Mine (CSW 4501)

NS87SE 10.03 NS 8545 7137 Coal Mine (CSW 4500)

NS87SE 10.04 NS 8519 7130 Farmstead; Rig (CSW 4236-8)

Situated on the S of the Culloch Burn to the W of Low Limerigg, there are three coal mines, a farmstead and an area of rig which are distributed over a distance of about 700m from WSW to ENE by about 350m to 400m transversely. Two of the mines which are depicted on the 2nd edition of the OS 6-inch map (Stirlingshire 1899, sheet xxxv), were connected by a mineral railway to the Slamannan Railway Line near Lodge farmstead, and labelled, respectively from W to E, Balquhatstone Colliery Pit No.1 and Pit No.3, with a third mine, Pit No.8, accessible by a tramway some 300m to the ENE. These three pits form part of Balquhatstone Colliery, most of which lies to the E of the road from Slamannan to Limerigg (see NS87SE 20). None of these three mines were in use by the time of the revision of the OS map in 1913 (Stirlingshire 1922, new series sheet xxxv). Indeed, all levels of Balquhatstone Colliery were closed by 1905 (Mines Department 1931). The farmstead both predates the Colliery workings and post-dates it since it is depicted as roofed on all the early editions of the OS 6-inch map (Stirlingshire 1864, 1899 and 1922 sheet xxxv).

Visited by RCAHMS (PJD) 28 to 30 August 1992

NS 8510 7130 and NS 8600 7110 In March 2009 a programme of field survey and associated standing building survey was undertaken at the sites of two deserted post-medieval farm steadings at Limerigg Woods. The area investigated consisted of two blocks of land, each c1ha in extent and centred on the sites of Blackrigg farm (NS 8510 7130) and Wester Drumclair (NS 8600 7110). These sites currently consist of open moorland

(Blackrigg) and clear-felled woodland (Wester Drumclair).

The work entailed a field survey of both areas, and a building survey of the upstanding remains of the farmsteading of Wester Drumclair; including the detailed recording of surviving architectural features where appropriate.

Archive: RCAHMS. Report: Falkirk Archaeology Service

Funder: Forestry Commission Scotland

Louise Turner and Claire Williamson – Rathmell Archaeology Limited

The website text produced for Limerigg Woods webpages on the Forest Heritage Scotland website (www.forestheritagescotland.com).

Introduction: From farm to mines

The old parish of Slamannan was once a quiet farming community, but in the 19th century coal mining transformed it for a short time into an industrial centre. Today, Limerigg Wood stands where once there were farms and coal mines.

The Old Statistical Accounts (1791) provide a tale about the origin of the parish name "Slamannan". It is said that it came from a farm labourer who told the Earl of Callander and Linlithgow that ploughing his land would "slay man and mare". Although simply a folk tale, it suggests this area was not good land for farming.

However, General Roy's Military Survey Map (1747-1755) shows that there were farms in this area by the mid 18th century. Today in Limerigg Forest, the archaeological remains of two farmsteads, Drumclair and Blackrigg, still survive. You can discover more about this in our "Evidence" story.

Ordnance Survey maps illustrate that both farms grew over the 19th century, suggesting that their owners invested in the land by encouraging agricultural improvements to their farms. In 1864, an absentee landlord, Henry Taylor, owned Drumclair farmstead. The other farmstead, Blackrigg,was the property of an important local family, the Waddells of Balquhastone.

At the same time, coal mining operations began in this area, discover more in our "People" story.

People Story: A dangerous job

In 1840, the completion of the Slamannan Railway opened the parish's rich coalfield to commercial mining. The industry brought in workers and the community grew and prospered but it was often a difficult and dangerous job.

In 1869, John Watson opened Balquhatson Colliery, near Blackrigg farm and John Nimmo of Slamannan opened Limerigg Colliery, near Drumclair.

John Nimmo was the first of a coal mining dynasty in Slamannan; his company ended up owning many of the collieries in the area, including the Balquhatson mines.

The parish town of Slamannan grew, as well as Limerigg itself. Mining records show that John Nimmo rented housing in Limerigg to his staff.

However, working in the mines was not an easy way to make money. There were many accidents].

On the 5th December 1882, The Scotsman reported one such terrible accident;

[i]"A miner named Thomas Heaps, 23 years of age, belonging to the Limerigg Colliery Co, met with a shocking death. Deceased was engaged about the shaft-mouth when he slipped and fell down the shaft, a distance of 50 fathom."[/i]

At its peak, at the end of the 19th century, Balquhatson employed 253 people and Limerigg Colliery employed 172. The mining industry in Slamannan went into decline in the early 20th century. century.

Evidence Story: Examining the evidence: building recording

In 2009, Rathmell Archaeology undertook an archaeological survey of two farmsteads in Limerigg Forest. This informed Forestry Commission Scotland's interpretation and future conservation of the buildings.

The survey identified both buildings as 19th century, suggesting they were rebuilt because map evidence dates the farms as older.

The survey produced plans for each farmstead. At Blackrigg, the remains do not survive to a significant height but the survey identified the layout of the farmstead, including a round feature thought to be a horse-gang. This horse-powered drive mechanism usually powered a mill or threshing machine for crops.

However, the 1864 Ordnance Survey map labelled a similar feature nearby as a 'Churning Machine', presumably used in the production of butter or cheese. Dairy farming was a major source of income in the parish, so it may be that the horse gang at Blackrigg is also a churning machine.

At Drumclair, the survey also produced elevation drawings of the upstanding walls. Close examination of a building can identify and date changes made over the life of a building. For example, the survey identified that the barn was once larger than it stands today

Evidence for mining was also found, including large slag heaps (waste from the mining process), and traces of the old mineral railways, which transported coal from pits to the collieries.