Scheduled MonumentsScotlandLead mines and associated remains, Leadhills
Leadhills

Lead mines and associated remains, Leadhills

Scotland
HES SM5817
Site type
Leadhills
Nation
Scotland
Boundary

Scheduled area

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Overview

History & significance

Lead mines and associated remains, Leadhills is a group of medieval and post-medieval mineral workings located in the uplands of South Lanarkshire, Scotland. The site represents evidence of lead extraction activity that intensified from the medieval period onwards, with significant development occurring during the early modern period when demand for lead increased substantially. The surviving remains include shafts, adits, spoil heaps, and associated processing features scattered across the moorland landscape, reflecting the technological methods employed in lead mining over several centuries. Leadhills became one of Scotland's most important lead-mining centres, and the physical remains visible today document the scale and longevity of extraction activity at this location.

Lead mines and associated remains, Leadhills is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM5817. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Lead mines and associated remains, Leadhills?

Lead mines and associated remains, Leadhills is a group of medieval and post-medieval mineral workings located in the uplands of South Lanarkshire, Scotland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM5817.

Who is responsible for protecting Lead mines and associated remains, Leadhills?

Lead mines and associated remains, Leadhills is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic Environment Scotland — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Scotland. The official designation reference is SM5817.

What other scheduled monuments are near Lead mines and associated remains, Leadhills?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Wanlockhead Beam Engine (1.9 km), Wanlockhead,remains of lead mining and smelting (2.4 km), Historic gold workings, Leadhills, South Lanarkshire (3.1 km).

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