Lead and Labour
The story of the miners of Leadhills and Wanlockhead


This website is being set up to tell the story of the lead miners who worked in Leadhills and Wanlockhead, Scotland, from the end of the eighteenth century until the mining companies were wound up in the 1930s. It is essentially a social history which lays particular emphases on labour disputes and the growth of trade unionism. Original sources used include the libraries that remain in each village, and records in the Scottish Record Office and other repositories. Every effort has been made to compare events with those in the lead mines elsewhere in Britain. This is being made readily available to all interested in mining history, but please respect the copyright. Comments will be welcome.

W.S.Harvey
email: harvey_w  at  dial.pipex  dot  com


Leadhills library plate
Table of Contents
Preface      Preface and summary of contents
Chapter 1 Introduction
Chapter 2 Early Days
Chapter 3 The Business of Mining
Chapter 4 Wages and Conditions
Chapter 5 Institutions and Recreations
Chapter 6 William Gibson
Chapter 7 The Borrons
Chapter 8 The Strike of 1836
Chapter 9 The 1840s
Chapter 10 The Water Dispute
Chapter 11 1860 - 1880 The Coming of the Stockjobbers
Chapter 12 1880 - 1903 A Time of Rousing
Chapter 13 1903 - 1910 The Road to the Rally
Chapter 14 1910 - 1938 The Restless Years
Appendices Output, Employment, Weights & Measures
Bibliography and notes Bibliography and chapter notes
Location maps Location maps
Acknowledgements Acknowledgements

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