Scottish shale Scottish shale

Philpstoun No. 1 mine

Parish:
Abercorn, Linlithgowshire
Local authority:
West Lothian
Ownership:
Seams worked:
Broxburn Shale
Opened:
1885
Closed:
1931
Current status of site:
Wooded waste land

Philpstoun No.1.jpg

A substantial mine, located close to the retorts of Philpstoun Oil Works, which remained in production throughout the active life of the oil works. A second No. 1 Mine (referred to here as Philpstoun Whitequarries No. 1) was sunk in 1939 at a site 1.3 miles to the north east at Whitequarries, which presumably linked to the workings of the original Philpstoun No. 1.

  • Location & workings at Philpstoun No.1 mine
    • Show seams:

  • Detailed maps
  • Drawings

    Recent images

  • Newspaper references
    • PHILPSTOUN MINE DISMANTLED.— The work of dismantling the underground plant at Philpstoun Mine, which closed down last June, was practically completed this week, and squad of workmen engaged paid off. skeleton staff has been retained for surface work.

      Linlithgowshire Gazette, 8th April 1932

  • Associated references
    • One of the cross cut mines has reached the Broxburn seam at a distance of 266 fathoms. The shale is looking well, and this area will be developed energetically to give an output of better quality than lately available (October 1924).

      From Scottish Oils Ltd, Managing Director's Monthly Report to the Board. (BP Archive No. 215662)

  • External references
    • Coal Authority Mine Abandonment Catalogue No. 10744, showing workings in the Broxburn, Upper Broxburn and Dunnet Shales from Philpstoun No. 1 Mine, abandoned in 1932.