60-563: The Scots Mining Company House , also known as Woodlands Hall , is an early-18th-century mansion house in Leadhills , South Lanarkshire , Scotland. The house was built around 1736 for the manager of the Leadhills mines, which were owned by the Earl of Hopetoun . Its design has been attributed to the architect William Adam . The house is now a category A listed building . The garden, which
120-539: A steam engine at Wanlockhead , Dumfriesshire. While there, he impressed the manager of a local mining company, Gilbert Meason, so much that he was sent to the University of Edinburgh in 1786 to spend a few months attending science lectures. By the time William joined his brother, George had already succeeded in building the second engine using James Watt 's design to be built in Scotland. Symington quickly saw
180-421: A community resource, and aims to restore the herb garden. The house comprises a two-storey main block with a piend roof. To this was added in 1737 a wing to the south, and in 1740 a larger wing to the north. The gardens contain the remains of an ice house and a small chapel. The garden is surrounded by mature trees, the only woodland in the village. At the high point of the garden was a viewing platform overlooking
240-557: A few days before the trial was due to take place. As well as an engine builder, Symington was a colliery manager, also known as a 'viewer'. His first appointment in this capacity was in 1794 when the Trustees asked him to take over on James Bruce's death. His salary for this was £ 100 per annum and a house on the estate. This appointment ended in 1800 when Symington took over management of the Grange colliery near Bo'ness . William Cadell
300-496: A move to live near Falkirk and, later, a place as engine consultant for the Carron Company . In 1793, he developed a crank drive with a crosshead above the cylinder, and built such an engine to wind coal from one of Bruce's pits. his engine proved very successful and about fifteen were built. In all, there are firm references to thirty-two engines built by Symington up until 1808, and passing mention of several more. It
360-773: A paper reporting on the treatment of a particular case of hydrothorax , published in 1823, James Braid commented that, given all of the theoretically possible causes, with his numerous Leadhills hydrothorax patients, "[those who] have been exposed to breathe noxious or confined air" were by far the majority: Like many metalliferous miners in other parts of the British Isles in the early 1800s, Leadhills miners did not work for daily wages; in fact, Leadhills miners lived rent-free, working no more than six hours in any one day and, significantly, had no fixed working hours. At Leadhills, each miner belonged to an autonomous group of up to 12 (a " partnership "), who were paid collectively: on
420-634: A pension, the House of Lords issued him with two lifetime payments ex gratia of £50 and £100. In 1829, in ill health and in debt, Symington and his wife moved to London to live with their daughter and her husband. Symington died in 1831 and was buried in St. Botulph's churchyard . In 1890, a bust was unveiled in Edinburgh, in what is now the National Museum, in memory of the great engineer. In 1891,
480-490: A way to marry the efficiency of the Watt engine with the simplicity of that devised by Thomas Newcomen . Encouraged by Gilbert Meason , Symington demonstrated the practicality of his idea and his improved atmospheric engine was patented in 1787. When Watt sent someone to make a sketch of how this new engine worked, he discovered that the steam was condensed under a second piston and this was then pushed down when fresh steam entered
540-581: Is best remembered for his contribution to steam powered vessels, he also built successful engines for mines and mills. The first of these was built on a mine in Wanlockhead in 1790. This was followed by engines in Sanquhar , and then in London. In 1792, he built a large pumping engine that James Watt was also considered for. In the same year, he built an engine for the colliery of James Bruce. This marked
600-557: Is largely unchanged since it was laid out in the 18th century, is included on the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland , the national listing of significant gardens. Lead and silver have been mined at Leadhills in the Southern Uplands for centuries. In the 17th century, Sir James Hope (1614–1661) married Anne, daughter of Robert Foulis of Leadhills, and the mines subsequently passed to his descendants
660-539: Is renowned amongst mineralogists and geologists for its wide range of different mineral species found in the veins that lie deep within the (now abandoned) mine shafts; with some now recognized as unique to the Leadhills area. The village lends its name to the Leadhills Supergroup , one of the large geological features of the British Isles. 16th-century mining entrepreneurs working the area were landowners, goldsmiths and metallurgists, granted patents by
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#1732773061587720-487: Is still credited as one of the great inventors of the early Industrial Revolution . Symington was born in Leadhills , South Lanarkshire , Scotland, to a family he described as being "respectable but not wealthy." His father worked as a practical mechanic at the Leadhills mines. Although his parents intended for him to enter the ministry, he intended to use his good education to make a career as an engineer. So, in 1785, he joined his brother George in his attempts to build
780-503: Is the oldest subscription library in the British Isles; and is of significant historical and geological importance. In the late eighteenth century, Peterkin observed the library had "as many valuable books as might be expected to be chosen by promiscuous readers"; he found its members to be "the best informed, and therefore the most reasonable common people that I know" (1799, p. 99); and, in 1823, "J", observing that "every miner can read, and most of them can write tolerably well", noted
840-500: Is the second coldest village in the UK (of those with weather stations) with an annual mean temperature of 6.76 °C (44.17 °F) making it slightly colder than the commonly regarded coldest settlement of Braemar , which had an annual average temperature of 6.81 °C (44.26 °F) in this period. However, Leadhills' slightly more exposed and elevated location than Braemar results in absolute minima being higher than one might expect -
900-602: The Earls of Hopetoun . The Scots Mining Company , formally The Governor and Company for Working the Mines and Minerals in that part of North Britain called Scotland, was formed by a London-based group of Scottish merchants. They took a lease on part of the mines in 1729, and in 1735 they appointed James Stirling of Keir (1692–1770) as managing agent. Stirling was a noted mathematician and scientist who had lived in Venice and London, and
960-521: The December absolute minimum of −15.0 °C (5.0 °F) compares favourably to usually milder Glasgow Airport's absolute minimum of −20.0 °C (−4.0 °F). [REDACTED] This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain : Chisholm, Hugh , ed. (1911). " Leadhills ". Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. William Symington William Symington (1764–1831)
1020-574: The Leadhills Curling Club –one of Scotland's first Curling societies- was created. The sport remained popular in the area until the 1930s, when the mines closed. Since the 1920s skiing in the Leadhills area has been organised intermittently by a succession of local residents as well as several non-for-profit sports clubs. Lowther Hill, above the village, is home to the only ski area in the south of Scotland and Scotland's only community-owned ski centre. Operated by Lowther Hills Ski Club,
1080-470: The Leadhills district was mining. On his visit to the mining area in 1772, the naturalist Thomas Pennant had remarked on its barren landscape: Three years later, in 1776, artist William Gilpin found that, in relation to the working conditions, "the mines here, as in all mineral countries, are destructive of health", "you see an infirm frame, and squalid looks in most of the inhabitants". and twelve years later, according to Rev. William Peterkin (1738-1792),
1140-554: The Minister at Leadhills (and member of its library) from 1785 until his death, the conditions of both the miners and the lead smelters were no better: As Pennant had noted in 1772, the human counterpart of the animals' lead-brash was "mill-reek": However, because lead was attracting such high prices during the American and Napoleonic Wars, and the domestic construction boom, Leadhills became world-famous for its lead mines. In
1200-518: The Science Museum in London, Ref No. 0307379 shows her flying a red saltire, presumably a lithographer's mistake. James Nasmyth in his autobiography published in 1883 stated erroneously that she was built of tinned iron plate. After the successful demonstration of a steam engine on a boat, a larger engine was commissioned that would be tried in a boat on the Forth and Clyde Canal. The parts for
1260-403: The basis of a contract (a " bargain ") struck between one partner (the " taker ") and the mining company, to perform a specific task for an agreed payment — in other words, the miners were paid for their results; not for the time they spent underground. There were two types of bargain: The individual miner's family also contributed; the sons worked on the uncovered washing platforms (exposed to
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#17327730615871320-483: The cylinder, forcing out the condensate. The power piston worked by the atmospheric pressure acting on the vacuum created by the condensing steam. After its completion, Symington drew up a prospectus outlining the advantages of his invention, and this was circulated by Meason and his influential friends. The banker Patrick Miller of Dalswinton , just north of Dumfries , had experimented with double hulled pleasure boats propelled by cranked paddlewheels placed between
1380-527: The elements in all weathers) washing the impurities from the ore prior to smelting, and the wives and daughters spun wool and embroidered muslin for sale in Glasgow. The partners supplied their own tools; and were responsible for their upkeep. Many important responsibilities lay with the partners; thus, for instance, only two overseers were needed to manage more than 200 Leadhills’ miners. In the absence of an overseer's constant and immediate personal supervision,
1440-486: The engine were ordered and an engine similar to that used previously, but a lot larger, was erected on another twin hull paddle boat. It was 60 ft long (18 m). The first trial, on 2 December 1789, was unsuccessful because the paddle wheels were not up to the task and began to break up when an increase in speed was attempted. Patrick Miller , the patron of the venture, sanctioned repairs and, on 26 and 27 December, more successful trials were done. Although Symington
1500-429: The engine. The Charlotte Dundas was first sailed on 4 January 1803, with Lord Dundas and some of his friends and relatives on board. The crowd were pleased with what they saw, but Symington wanted to make improvements and another more ambitious trial was made on 28 March. On this occasion, the steamboat towed two loaded vessels through the canal, covering 18½ miles in 9½ hours. The Charlotte Dundas therefore became
1560-525: The first boat to do more than just move itself, but the Canal Company – to Symington's disappointment – did not wish to pursue the construction of another vessel. Lord Dundas invited Symington to meet Duke of Bridgewater with a view to order 8 new boats for his canal. However, Symington was further upset when a scheme to build tug boats for the Duke of Bridgewater collapsed when the Duke died
1620-406: The four men were dead. To aid those at the 25-fathom level, who were beginning to become violently affected by the fumes, a trap-door was opened to help clear the air; however, unfortunately, the noxious fumes descended rapidly, and another three men, at the 80-fathom level, suffocated. The other miners, many of whom were affected to a considerable degree, were restored by Braid as they emerged from
1680-447: The general area was known as "God's Treasure House in Scotland". During the 16th century, before the alluvial gold deposits were exhausted, 300 men worked over three summers and took away some £100,000 of gold (perhaps £500 million today): "Between 1538 and 1542, the district produced 1163 grams of gold for a crown for King James V of Scotland and 992 grams for a crown for his queen. Much of the gold coinage of James V and Mary Queen of Scots
1740-487: The grouse moors has been identified as a location of several wildlife crimes involving raptor persecution. Leadhills Golf Club, instituted in 1891, is the highest in Scotland . The nine-hole course offers a considerable challenge as the winds can be high and unpredictable as they are channelled between the hills. At one time, there were two courses amalgamated into 18 holes before it was decided to stick with 9 holes on
1800-407: The hulls, and he got Symington to build the patent steam engine with its drive into a pleasure boat built in 1785 which was successfully tried out on Dalswinton Loch near Miller's house on 14 October 1788. The trial was said to have been a success and the boat stated to have reached 8 kilometers an hour in speed. Alexander Nasmyth depicted her on her trial run. A version of the illustration held by
1860-461: The late 18th century. At a meeting of company directors on 5 June 1800, Dundas brought up the idea of having a Captain Schank boat worked by a steam engine provided by Symington. The directors immediately agreed that this was a good idea. A diagram of Symington's engine recently came to light and it showed an engine driving a forward wheel (or two wheels, one on either side) within the hull. The boat
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1920-468: The library had around 1,200 volumes, all of which "have been entirely chosen by [the members] themselves", and that: Today, the library is owned and run by a registered charity, The Leadhills Heritage Trust and has full accreditation with Museums Galleries Scotland. It is open from Easter to September on weekends and bank holidays, between 2 pm and 5 pm. Grouse moors cover in excess of 11,000 acres (45 km ) around Leadhills. The area covered by
1980-401: The local minister, specifically to purchase a collection of books for its members’ mutual improvement — its membership was not restricted to the miners; several non-miners, such as William Symington , John Brown (author of Rab and his Friends ) and James Braid , were also full members — houses an extensive antiquarian book collection, local relics, mining records and minerals. The library
2040-431: The lower ground and abandon the original course. The club was originally known as Leadhills Golf Club prior to World War 1 , but it was renamed Lowthers Golf Club following the war, until 1935 when it reverted back to its original name. The club as we know it today was founded in 1935. An exhibition game was played as part of the opening ceremony, players included Walker Cup player Leonard Crawley . The clubhouse
2100-569: The middle of the 19th century, the lead mines were becoming less profitable, and a series of lawsuits affected the company's profitability. In 1861 the Scots Mining Company was wound up. The manager's house became a shooting lodge, and a small chapel was built in the garden. The gardens are now held by the Scots Mining Company House Trust, a registered charity . The trust seeks to maintain the gardens as
2160-433: The mine before 4 am; another two, presumably from the same partnership, entered soon after. Reaching their work level (at 25 fathoms) the first two encountered the bad air. They persisted, thinking they could force their way through it, began to feel dizzy, collapsed, and eventually suffocated. The next two encountered a similar fate. The accident was not discovered until some time after 6 am; by which time all of
2220-468: The mine's surgeon, James Braid, was called urgently to the mine to alleviate the distress of a number of miners who appeared to be suffocated. It was later established that noxious fumes from the faulty chimney of a coal-fired steam engine, operating deep within the mine, had combined with a dense fog pervading the entire area. The contaminated air was lethal. Two men, in the hope of finishing early, and contrary to established Leadhills custom, had entered
2280-534: The mine. The cemetery at the northeast of the village features an unusual table-stone inscription (next to the southern wall) detailing, almost as an afterthought, 137 years as the age at death of John Taylor, the father of Robert Taylor, (then) overseer of the Scotch Mining Company. Near to the cemetery overlooking a row of miners' cottages is an 1891memorial in obelisk form was erected to William Symington , by public subscription, where he
2340-473: The monarch and Privy Council . These included, Cornelius de Vos , George Douglas of Parkhead , John Acheson , Eustachius Roche , Thomas Foulis , George Bowes , Bevis Bulmer , and Stephen Atkinson . In 1720 a Dutch traveller, Hugh Kalmeter, described the mine workings and noted that exported ore was used for pottery glazes. In the 18th-century lead ore was shipped to Holland and used to make white and red lead paint pigments. The initial attraction of
2400-401: The partners were totally responsible for their collective work practices and occupational safety; thus, the partners, rather than overseers, would decide how to act against threats posed by subterranean water, loose ground, earth tremors, etc. However, with no overseer, there was also no oversight; and, often, hastily constructed passages/shafts were misaligned with those of other teams, affecting
2460-569: The potential of the 1789 trial, the loss of interest from Lord Dundas and the proceedings at the High Court, Symington was left out-of-pocket . Aware of his engneering legacy and financial difficulties, Ronald Craufurd Ferguson , the MP for Dysart Burghs presented a petition to the House of Lords for Symington to receive financial assistance in 1825 from the Government. While he was not awarded
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2520-493: The ski centre runs three ski lifts for beginners and intermediate skiers. Leadhills is host to a number of small local businesses including shops and a hotel. Silver and lead have been mined in Leadhills and at nearby Wanlockhead for many centuries, according to some authorities even in Roman days. Gold was discovered in the reign of James IV and, in those early days, it was so famous for its exceptionally pure gold that
2580-479: The structure of the entire mine—also, the disposal of waste and rubbish from one team's work area often impeded the progress of another team (or teams). Coal-fired steam engines, were an important part of the operation at Leadhills. Leadhills had three steam engines as early as 1778 (Smout, 1967, p. 106). In the winter of 1765, James Watt had been approached to design and build a steam engine for Leadhills that would raise water from 30 fathoms (approx. 55 m) below
2640-448: The supply of timber. James Stirling proved adept at managing the Leadhills mines, despite his lack of practical experience. Under his tenure the mines became "one of the most profitable industrial enterprises in Scotland". His paternalistic concern for worker's welfare was also noted, and had a long-lasting effect on the culture of the Leadhills mines. In 1770 James' nephew Archibald Stirling succeeded his uncle as manager at Leadhills. By
2700-400: The surface. Watt did not get the contract (Hills, 1998). A most melancholy accident happened in the lead mines belonging to Messrs Horner, Hurst, and Co. Leadhills, on the forenoon of the 1st inst. occasioned by the air being rendered impure from the smoke of a fire engine, placed about one hundred feet underground. As soon as the danger
2760-526: The village, taken down in 2003. A single storey entrance lodge has been demolished, and the former stables are now derelict and listed on the Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland . Leadhills Leadhills , originally settled for the accommodation of miners, is a village in South Lanarkshire , Scotland, 5 + 3 ⁄ 4 miles (9.3 km) WSW of Elvanfoot . The population in 1901
2820-524: Was Thomas, Lord Dundas who would motivate further steamboat trials. This was because he had extensive business interests on the east and west coasts and was governor of the Forth and Clyde Canal Company . Therefore, the canal was essential to his business, and steam power could speed up the movement of vessels through the canal. It helped progress that the Dundas family were one of the most powerful families of
2880-629: Was 835. It was originally known as Waterhead. It is the second highest village in Scotland, the highest being neighbouring Wanlockhead , 2 miles (3 kilometres) south. It is near the source of Glengonnar Water , a tributary of the River Clyde . The Leadhills Miners' Library (also known as the Allan Ramsay Library or the Leadhills Reading Society), founded in 1741 by 21 miners, the local schoolteacher and
2940-574: Was a Scottish engineer and inventor during the Georgian era . He is most well known as the builder of the first practical steamboat , the Charlotte Dundas . The engine has been described as "without doubt the most compact and efficient marine steam engine up to that time" and its design would influence later steamboat and steamship engine designs. While Symington died in poverty after failing to commercialise his steam engine designs, he
3000-466: Was a member of the Royal Society . The house at Leadhills was built between 1734 and 1736 for James Stirling. At this time, the architect William Adam (1689–1748) was engaged by Charles Hope, 1st Earl of Hopetoun (1681–1742) at Hopetoun House , and Adam's name has been linked to the design of both the house and its garden, though the only record of his involvement is on a building account for
3060-604: Was ascertained. two miners and the company‘s blacksmith descended to the relief of their neighbours below, when unfortunately the two miners perished in the humane attempt. The smith escaped but is still dangerously ill. Many of the miners who were at work at the time were violently affected, almost to suffocation, but are now out of danger. We have since learned that in all seven lives have been lost in this accident. ( Caledonian Mercury , Thursday, 6 March 1817) According to his later report (Braid, 1817), at 7:00 am on 1 March 1817,
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#17327730615873120-674: Was behind Symington at this job. In 1804, he joined a local businessman in a partnership intended to manage the Callendar colliery at Falkirk. A new pump was needed there and this allowed Symington to develop what he called a 'lifting engine'. He may have built one of these for the Wanlockhead mines in 1789. The Callendar venture ended badly, however, and, in a dispute at the High Court in Edinburgh that lasted until 1810, Symington lost. Due to Patrick Miller's unwillingness to pursue
3180-453: Was born in Leadhills. Leadhills experiences an oceanic climate ( Cfb ) , bordering on a subpolar oceanic climate ( Cfc ) . Due to its elevation and inland position, winters are colder and summers cooler than lower lying areas. In terms of the local climate profile, given its elevated position and latitude, Leadhills is amongst the coldest places in the British Isles. According to the most recent 30-year climate period of 1981-2010 Leadhills
3240-618: Was born. Allan Ramsay , the poet, and William Symington (1763–1831), one of the earliest adaptors of the steam engine to the purposes of navigation, were born at Leadhills. The famous mathematician James Stirling was employed by the Scots Mining Company at Leadhills from 1734 until 1770. James Braid , the (later) discoverer of hypnotism, was surgeon to the Leadhills mining community and to Lord Hopetoun 's lead and silver mines from early 1816 to late 1825. Edward Whigham , Provost of Sanquhar and friend of Robert Burns
3300-559: Was built by Alexander Hart at Grangemouth and was tested on the River Carron in June 1801, when it moved with ease. It was less successful on the canal and was rejected by the committee. By 1800, Watt's patent had expired, so Symington set about the task of building a horizontal engine . He applied and received a patent for his design in 1801. This design was ahead of its time because other engineers believed that it would not work. It
3360-521: Was built in 1736 for James Stirling , the managing agent of the Scots Mining Company . It is attributed to the architect William Adam and is now a category A listed building. The Leadhills and Wanlockhead Railway runs at weekends only and at Christmas sees the "Santa Express" which includes a ride on the train, a visit to Santa down the lead mine and a story read by "Mrs Kringle" in the Museum of Lead Mining , Wanlockhead. The Elvanfoot railway station
3420-495: Was minted from Leadhills gold … No commercial gold mining appears to have taken place after 1620, but gold washing with a sluice box or pan was later to become a sometimes lucrative pastime of the lead miners" (Gillanders, 1981, pp. 235–236). Gold is still panned in the area with the correct licence. The minerals lanarkite , leadhillite , caledonite , susannite , plattnerite , scotlandite , macphersonite , chenite and mattheddleite were first found at Leadhills. The area
3480-475: Was not widely accepted until 1825. Since the Canal Company had not been satisfied with the first boat, Lord Dundas gave Symington his support for the building of a second boat. Therefore, a model of the new boat was shown to Dundas and was named after one of his daughters in an attempt to secure his interest. The hull of the boat was made by John Allan to Symington's direction and the Carron Company made
3540-486: Was on the Caledonian Railway main line from Glasgow to the south. A branch from there ran through Leadhills to Wanlockhead and operated until 1939. Part of the route has been reused by the Leadhills & Wanlockhead Railway. The railway is 1,498 feet (457 m) above sea level. The Lowther Hills is one of the birthplaces of Scottish winter sports. Curling in Leadhills can be traced back to 1784, when
3600-467: Was upgraded in 2013 after planning permission was sought from South Lanarkshire Council to build the £17,000 cabin. The previous clubhouse was built in the 1980s. The grave of John Taylor is also available to visit in the cemetery. Reputed to be 137 years of age at the time of his death, Taylor's grave (shared with his son, Robert) even attracted the attention of the BBC. The Scots Mining Company House
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