During the 19th and early 20th centuries mining was an important aspect of the economy of South East Scotland. At the National Mining Museum at Newtongrange and at Prestongrange (by Prestonpans), buildings associated with former mining activity have been preserved as heritage sites (Geddes et al 2024, 83). However, in many places evidence of modern mining activity has already been cleared or disrupted. Nevertheless, remains associated with 19th-century mining have been identified by a number of archaeological investigations. In the 2000s evaluation in the Wallyford area revealed significant mining remains, including several mineshafts (Mitchell et al 2008, 63).
Meanwhile, the remains of 19th-century colliery buildings were discovered at Newcraighall – where excavations in the 2010s revealed a complex minining landscape, where coal extraction took place over many generations (Hunter Blair and Cross 2018). At Lang Loan evidence has been found of both coal exploration and of 19th century limestone quarrying (McNicol et al 2021). The history of mining and quarrying in South East Scotland is complex, and more study of this aspect of the region’s past would be beneficial.
Mining and Quarrying Research Questions
- How did coal extraction change during the modern period?
- When were the major periods of expansion and contraction in mining? Were there particular local trends regarding growth / decline?
- How did the conditions for miners alter during the modern period? How impactful were efforts at improving safety?
- What can we learn about the evolution of mining villages during the modern period?
- What can we learn about the use of pit ponies?
- Where were stone quarries located in South East Scotland?
- How far was stone transported from quarries to building sites?