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Lochhead, Colliery
Colliery (Period Unassigned)
Site Name Lochhead, Colliery
Classification Colliery (Period Unassigned)
Alternative Name(s) Lochead; Victoria; Duncan, Earlsheat Road Shafts
Canmore ID 93382
Site Number NT39NW 149
NGR NT 3224 9664
NGR Description Centred NT 3224 9664
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/93382
- Council Fife
- Parish Wemyss
- Former Region Fife
- Former District Kirkcaldy
- Former County Fife
NT39NW 149 3224 9664
LOCHHEAD (also known as shaft names Lochhead/Victoria)
Location: Coaltown of Wemyss
Previous Owners: Wemyss Coal Company
Types of Coal: House and Steam
Sinking/Production Commenced: 1890
Year Closed: 1970
Year Abandoned: 1970
Average Workforce: 580
Peak Workforce: 841
Peak Year: 1957
Shaft/Mine Details: 4 shafts, Lochead 116m (originally 'Lady Lilian'), Victoria 133m, Duncan 69m, Earlseat Road 38m deep, and surface mine
Details in 1948: Output 660 tons per day, 184,100 tons per annum. 660 employees. Baths (1930), canteen. Steam, and electricity from Michael Colliery [NT39NW 23]. Report dated 16-08-1948.
Other Details: Also known as 'Wemyss Colliery', Victoria shaft possibly dated from c.1830, and may have been named following the coronation [of Queen Victoria in 1838]. Production ceased in 1915, but was retained as a ventilation shaft for Lochhead. Very vulnerable to spontaneous combustion. Shared ventilation systems with Michael Colliery [NT39NW 23].
M K Oglethorpe 2006.
