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Craigmaddie Muir, Millstone Quarries

Millstone Quarry(S) (18th Century)

Site Name Craigmaddie Muir, Millstone Quarries

Classification Millstone Quarry(S) (18th Century)

Canmore ID 44419

Site Number NS57NE 21

NGR NS 5797 7630

NGR Description Centred NS 5797 7630

Datum OSGB36 - NGR

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/44419

Ordnance Survey licence number AC0000807262. All rights reserved.
Canmore Disclaimer. © Copyright and database right 2024.

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Administrative Areas

  • Council East Dunbartonshire
  • Parish Baldernock (Strathkelvin)
  • Former Region Strathclyde
  • Former District Strathkelvin
  • Former County Stirlingshire

Archaeology Notes

NS57NE 21 5786 7636 and 5871 7648.

NS 578 763 - NS 581 762, NS 587 765. Millstone Quarries, Craigmaddie Muir. Millstone quarries are located on two lava outcrops in Craigmaddie Muir. It is possible that there may be others in the vicinity.

One quarry is situated on the extensive outcrop of which the S side forms a ragged cliff, about 400 yds in length, lying parallel to and about 120 yds N of the public road W of North Blochairn farmhouse. Millstones in different stages of completion and of various dimensions can be seen here and there on the exposed surface of the rock. The earliest stage in manufacture is exemplified by rings pecked out on the flat surfaces of suitable expanses of rock. Measuring about 2" in width and 1/2" in depth, they vary in diameter from 6'6" to 5'. A later stage, also seen here, is the cutting of a channel 6" - 9" wide, along and on the outer side of the pecked ring; this provided the space in which the quarryman could define and roughly dress the outer edge of the millstone, which was then freed from the living rock, after the central hole had been cut. Bowl-shaped depressions in the rock indicate places from which such stones have been removed.

The other quarry is situated on a bold outcrop 130 yds NE of Craigmaddie Muir cottage, now demolished. Here, the millstones are about 4' in diameter, and the traces of manufacture are similar to those just described.

A windmill of about 1700, in which the stones are of the same size as those found on Craigmaddie Muir, has been recorded at Dunbarney, in Strathearn (T M'Laren 1946).

RCAHMS 1963, visited 1956

These quarries were located at NS 5871 7648 and between NS 5786 7636 and NS 5812 7623. Some good examples of millstones can be seen at NS 5871 7648.

Visited by OS (WDJ) 3 May 1966

The solid geology of this area is essentially sandstone, and not lava as is noted by RCAHMS.

Information from: Mr D MacInnes, 3 Stirling Rd., Kilsyth. 5 January 1995.

Activities

Field Visit (November 1981)

Craigmaddie Muir 1 NS 578 763 to 581 762 NS57NE 21

Millstones in varying stages of completion are visible on outcropping rock on the SW edge of Craigmaddie Muir.

RCAHMS 1982, visited November 1981

(RCAHMS 1963, pp. 443-4, No. 567)

Field Visit (November 1981)

Craigmaddie Muir 2 NS 587 764 NS57NE 21

Millstones in varying stages of completion are visible on outcropping rock on Craigmaddie Muir 700m NE of North Blochairn.

RCAHMS 1982, visited November 1981

(RCAHMS 1963, pp. 443-4, No. 567)

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