Leadhills
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Only two miles apart, the villages of Leadhills and Wanlockhead are situated in the Lowther Hills and were the centre of the lead mining industry in Scotland up until recent times. Long ago the surrounding area of the hills and glens was described as “Gods Treasure House in Scotland” due to the rich deposits of minerals that were being mined underground. Gold can still be found around the streams around the two villages and in September 1992 they played host to the World Gold Panning Championships.
The Southern Upland Way, a long distance footpath, which is a favourite with walkers, passes through Wanlockhead. At Leadhills, the Leadhills and Wanlockhead Railway Society are extending their narrow gauge line and at weekends from May to September, the work of the Society and their impressive locomotives and stock can be viewed. Being Scotland’s highest villages, it is not surprising they can boast a number of the “highest” records, including the highest golf course at Leadhills and at Wanlockhead the highest Post Office, highest house, highest bed and breakfast, highest pub and even the highest bowling green.
Some of the nearby attractions include, the “Beam Engine” in Wanlockhead, which is driven by water and was used to drain the Straitsteps mine in the 19th Century. The Lock Nell Mine in Wanlockhead is a walk-in mine, which was used in the 1700’s to 1860. A guided tour leaves the museum every half hour in Easter to November. The Museum of Scottish Lead Mining in Wanlockhead shows how lead was mined and melted and also contains a display of local gold, silver and rare minerals, with an audio visual presentation and restaurant and gift shop. Miners Cottage in Wanlockhead lets you take a step back in time to a typical miners cottage of 1740 and then of 1890. The Alan Ramsey Library in Leadhills was founded by miners in 1741, and is the oldest subscription library in Britain and probably Europe. Curfew Bell in Leadhills is dated 1770 and was rung to call miners to work, children to school and warned of mining accidents. It is now used to ring in the New Year.
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