Leadhills Mines and Miners
Until the early nineteenth century the smelt mills in Leadhills were built near the mines and by the village, often filling it with clouds of fumes.
The Smelt
Extract from a 1770 road map for the route Edinburgh to Wigton showing mills (smelts) at the bottom of the village. The cottages by this are still called Furnace Cottages
By 1806 a large smelter had been built down Glengonner at Waterhead, one and a half miles from the village, with a two cylinder blowing engine bought from the Carron Company. This needed a powerful wheel and water from Gripps level was taken along the hillside to drive the machinery. This was now improved and by 1841 the mill had four ore hearths and a slag hearth all connected by flues 300 yards long to a chimney on the hillside so that fume-lead could be recovered.
The open leat that took water from Gripps Level to the smelt to power the machinery
A painting by David Allan of the smelt done in 1780's for the 3rd Earl
Inside the smelt in the late 1800's
In 1878 a report states that the flues have been extended to 700 yards (650 m) and the recovery of lead from the fumes had been raised from 250 bars to 750 bars
The smelter was again refurbished in 1901 but had only just opened when there were complaints about pollution. The Clyde Angling Association lodged a "serious complaint" and the farmers at Glenorchy and Glencaple complained that valuable sheep were being poisoned. The farmers began a legal action and the owner, the Marquis of Linlithgow became involved. The company denied resposibility but in 1905 a claim amounting to £1325 was settled for £725.
The company decided to abandon smelting and it was closed down.
The Waterhead Smelter, Leadhills about 1900.
The site of the smelt today. Just the bare earth left
Changes in 1860 included enlarging to two roasting hearths, four ore hearths and a slag hearth along with silver recovery. A pipe was fitted at the end of Gripps level as it was unsafe and to improve the water supply. The open leats which are still there remained in use.
