Highhouse Colliery
Location type
MineName and dates
Highhouse Colliery (1894-1983)Served by the Highhouse Colliery Branch (William Baird & Co).
Description
This colliery was developed by William Baird & Co in Auchinleck at Merlinhill Farm just to the south of the station. It was served by a short tightly curved branch which made a trailing connection to the northbound line. A series of exchange sidings were laid in the 'V' of the junction at the station. The colliery was opened for the Lugar Iron Works.
There was a second hand beam engine used as a haulage engine. This had been built in Bridgeton in 1790 by Walkinshaw and used in the Blair collieries, then in 1875 it was relocated to Craigston Pit (ironstone mines just to the north of the Lugar Iron Works) before being relocated to Highhouse around 1894. Removed 1956 to Heriot Watt college.
There was also an ~1896 winding engine by Grant, Ritchie and Co Ltd.
There was a pit fire in 1908 after which rebuilding was required. New headgear with metalwork by Dorman Long was erected.
The company became Bairds & Dalmellington Limited in 1931.
The colliery closed in 1983. One headframe remains standing.
Tags
Mine Pit CollieryAliases
High House Colliery
| Nearby stations Auchinleck Dumfries House Commondyke Cumnock [2nd] Cumnock [1st] Skares Lugar Catrine Ochiltree Cronberry Cairntable Halt Mauchline Sinclairston (Private) Mossgiel Tunnel Platform New Cumnock | Muirkirk Junction Muirkirk Junction Shed Gilmilnscroft Junction Quarry Coal Pit Coal Pit Coal Pit Barony Power Station Barony Colliery Pits Nos 1,2,3,4 Blackston Colliery Gilmilnscroft Colliery Pit No 2 Barony Junction Gilmilnscroft Colliery Pit No 4 Rodanhead Pit Tourist/other Dumfries House [House] |
| Location names in dark blue are on the same original line. | |
