Woodhead Lead Mine and Village

Woodhead mine was started by Col. M Cathcart in about 1839 and by 1850 there was a thriving community in the ‘model’ village he built for the miners. It had 50 houses, a library, a school and a church with a population of about 300. The school was built around 1843 and in 1851 there were 49 children on the roll and 2 teachers. Education was only for younger children and by the time they were 11 or 12, many were employed as leadwashers. The church was built in 1844 at Lamloch to the north because Col. Cathcart did not approve of UF beliefs and would not allow a church in the village, but it closed in 1867. Mining stopped in 1873 and the village began to empty, although one house was inhabited up until 1954.

To find it, travel north from Carsphairn on the A713 and a couple of miles outside the village there is a sign for Brochloch on the left hand side. Go up that road, you can park at Brochloch cottage and follow the trail; alternatively you can set off from Holm of Daltallochan.

For more information about Woodhead and other places of interest near the village, visit the Carsphairn Heritage Centre or their web site at www.carsphairnheritage.co.uk.

This trail is closed from mid March to mid-May during lambing, and dogs are not allowed at any time.