Coal Mining in Muirkirk

Coal mining, with the iron industry, was central to Muirkirk's expansion. Although the days of deep mining are now long gone in Ayrshire, opencast mining continues around the village and provides employment to a number of people.

Mining Links

• Abandoned Mines in and Around Muirkirk - 1
• Abandoned Mines in and Around Muirkirk - 2
• Ayrshire Miners Rows
• Bankhead Pit Disaster 1898
• Kames Colliery Disaster - Audio Project
  • Memories of the disaster in audio and transcribed for reading
• Kames Colliery Disaster - 19th November 1957
  name of those who died
• Kames Colliery Disaster - 19th November 1957
  report from Muirkirk Advertiser (pdf file)
• Kames Colliery Plans (pdf file)
  
• Kames Colliery Photographs 1 (surface)
• Kames Colliery Photographs 2 (underground)
• Kames Colliery Photographs 3
• Mining Accidents in Muirkirk (Scottish Mining)
• Mining Accidents in Muirkirk (Mining Villages)
  • Flooding of Colliery - report in the New York Times on 12th March 1898:-
    
• Mining-Technology.com is an online resource for the mining industry which also provides news and information on a number of mines all over the World.
• Muirkirk Miners Memorial
  • Muikirk Miners Memorial on Flickr
• Scottish Coal

Coal mining has been described as Scotland's ghost industry - many of its thriving, coal driven communities have almost completely vanished. To make them live again between the pages of his book "Mining - Ayrshire's Lost Industry ", Guthrie Hutton spanned the length and breadth of Ayrshire and Upper Nithsdale, tracking down former miners and unearthing pictures of long-forgotten pits.

Among the many locations featured are Auchenharvie, Glenburn, Auchencruive, Drumley, Killoch, Polquhairn, Houldsworth, Pennyvenie, Minnivey, Mauchline, Highhouse, Barony, Kames, Afton, Knockshinnoch Castle, Fauldhead and Killochan.

There are over 200 illustrations covering all aspects of mining life.

More information about this book can be found on the Stenlake Publishing website

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shunting operations at Kames Colliery in 1968

Colliery Closures, South Ayrshire

from Hansard 19 February 1968 vol 759 c32

§74. Mr. Emrys Hughes 

asked the Minister of Labour how many men he estimates will lose their jobs in South Ayrshire following the proposed closure of the mines at Kames Colliery, Muirkirk, and Beoch Colliery, Dalmellington; and what action he is taking to find alternative employment for them.

§Mr. Fernyhough 

It is estimated that about 250 men will become redundant when the Kames and Beoch collieries close. My local officers will do all they can to help these men to find other work and will offer training facilities where appropriate.

§Mr. Emrys Hughes 

Will my hon. Friend keep in mind the fact that there is great anxiety in these isolated places about alternative employment not being ready by the time a pit closes? This presents a serious problem both in Muirkirk and the Doon Valley? Can he assure us about his energy and intentions in this matter?

§Mr. Fernyhough 

My hon. Friend of all people ought not to want reassuring about my energy and interest in this matter.