When we think of Coal Mining in Blantyre, we traditionally think of a very male orientated industry, but did you know at one time there were occasions where females where employed down in the depths of the pits or at the pithead, even in Blantyre! In December 1903, the annual conference of the Miner’s Federation […]
In October 1905, the Hamilton Herald and Lanarkshire Weekly News published a report, which rumoured that a new colliery was to be sunk in Blantyre. This was one, however, which did not come to pass. It said, “Should the report which we publish today be true regarding the opening of a new coalfield in Blantyre, […]
Further panoramic photos taken from the former Craighead Bing. Showing industrial areas around the bing before the Expressway cut through. These were taken in September 1979. Who can identify the business premises? These photos seen online for the first time here, also show the flattened area looking across the river to Bothwell.
Lets go to 1979 next and pictured here in September that year is the view from the former Craighead Bing. Looking back towards Blantyre, you may be able to make out the burned out shell of the Stonefield Parish Church, which caught fire that month. The cleanup operation was due to commence on the Bing, […]
Anthony Smith kindly shared these excellent photos of the former Priory Colliery Bing which were taken by his father in 1964. Contractors arrived a few year later in 1966 and 1967 to level this bing, which by my reckoning was the largest man made object to have ever existed in Blantyre. The Bing may have […]
This is a wonderful little video taken in High Blantyre in 1947. It’s crystal clear as it was professionally filmed for the Coal Board on the very day the collieries were nationalised. Filmed at Dixon’s Pit 2, where now Priestfield cemetery stands, this 71 year old film features miners of the colliery and has […]
On Wednesday morning of 9th February 1927, the two cages at No. 1 Pit, Blantyre Ferme Colliery, came into contact and, buckling, took the water pipes with them, causing damage to the shaft and rendering it unworkable. Three hundred men, who were below the time, had to get out No. 2 Pit. The damage, […]