The Education Tour

The villages of Leadhills and Wanlockhead owe their origins to the exploitation of the mineral wealth of the Lowther Hills. The resources, which include lead, zinc, copper, gold and silver, were the basis for an industry which has left a rich mining heritage in the locality.

The ore-field is the most important lead-zinc deposit in Scotland and the geological processes have created a greater number of mineral species than any other locality in the UK. Some of these minerals are very rare and of great interest to museums and collectors alike.

Over seventy species have now been described from the Leadhills / Wanlockhead ore-field. Leadhillite, Lanarkite, Caledonite, Macphersonite, Matthaddleite, Susannite and Scotlandite are mineral species first discovered in the district. These discoveries have established the world-wide reputation of the locality.

The following primary minerals were commercially exploited within the locality. Many fine specimens are exhibited within the Museum.

Galena [PbS]

Galena [PbS] or lead sulphide is the main source of lead [Pb]. It is widespread in the district and is found along with the common vein minerals such as quartz, calcite, barytes and dolomite.

Galena has been the most important commercial mineral found in the locality. It was the basis of the Lead Mining industry which was of economic significance, especially during the 18th and 19th Centuries.

The Galena crystal group on the left, is an example which was found at Leadhills in the Glengonnar Mine.

	*Chalcopyrite [CuFeS]*
	A copper-iron sulphide mineral. It is the main source of copper [Cu] and is often referred to as 'peacock ore' or 'copper pyrites', because of its rich colours. It was mined in Leadhills but not at Wanlockhead. The example on the left is an excellent illustration of 'Peacock Ore'.

Sphalerite [ZnS]

Zinc sulphide which is the principal ore of zinc [Zn] was mined in Wanlockhead from 1880. No zinc ore was produced at Leadhills. Sphalerite was often called 'black jack', 'resin jack', or 'zinc blende', because of its appearance and the variation in colours.

This example is Sphalerite (brown) with Calcite (white) found at Wanlockhead.

Gold [Au]

Native Gold is found within the Lowther Hills and was exploited, particularly during the 15th and 16th centuries.

Although several nuggets have been found, no large veins have so far been discovered. Most gold found in this area has been recovered either by panning or sluicing.

Panning for gold in the Lowther Hills is an increasingly popular pastime and at the Museum we offer a wide range of courses to suit everyone - from beginners to expert. Everyone has a chance of striking it rich! For further information on gold panning courses please contact us for details of the packages we offer.

	*The Scottish Crown*
	Historically, gold was sent to Edinburgh for the minting of coins and was also used for the making of the Scottish Crown (left) and Regalia.

The Scottish Parliamentary Mace

This tradition has been maintained when in 1999 local gold was incorporated within the Mace for the Scottish Parliament by the maker of the Mace, Michael Lloyd.

	*The Welcome Nugget*
	The famous Welcome Nugget was discovered on the 9th June 1858 in the Red Hill Mine on the Ballarat East Goldfields in Australia. Weighing in at 69kg (152lbs), it was at that time, the largest gold nugget ever found. Today it would be worth £millions. It is curiously similar in shape to the Australian continent.

Silver [Ag]

No native silver has been found in the district. However, silver occurs as a sulphide - Argentite [AgzS], particularly along with gold. It can also be found with minerals such as galena, copper and sphalerite. When galena was smelted at Wanlockhead and Leadhills, silver was recovered from the smelting process. It was sent to Edinburgh for the minting of coins and jewellery, and exported to Europe.

<Smelt Mill at Wanlockhead