Lochlea Colliery

Also known as	Lochlea 1 and 2, Lochlee Coal Mine
Location	Near Lochlea farm, Tarbolton parish, by Mauchline, South Ayrshire — 55.5441, -4.4562 (exact)
Commodity	Coal
Type	Coal
Worked	1949–November 1973
Maximum depth	Unknown.
Operators	National Coal Board (1949–1973)

Overview

A National Coal Board colliery in Tarbolton parish near Mauchline, sunk in 1949 and worked in the Tourha, Jewel and Hurlford Main seams until 1973.

History

Lochlea Colliery, Nos. 1 and 2, lay in Tarbolton parish, Ayrshire, near Mauchline and close to Lochlea farm. It was a National Coal Board colliery from the start: sinking and production began in 1949, two years after nationalisation.

It worked the Tourha, Jewel and Hurlford Main seams. Its workforce averaged 164 and reached its peak, 239, in 1957. Lochlea closed in November 1973; the plans of its workings in all three seams are dated that year, and the colliery is recorded as abandoned in 1974.

In 1996, when opencast coal working was proposed on the land around Lochlea, an archaeological survey for the environmental assessment recorded the old Lochlee coal mine at the site.

Geology

Ayrshire coal measures: the Tourha, Jewel and Hurlford Main seams.

Workings

Two pits, Lochlea Nos. 1 and 2.

Closure

Closed in November 1973; the seams were abandoned in 1973 and the colliery recorded as abandoned in 1974.

What remains

Unknown.

Nearby mines

Caprington Colliery — 3.6 miles (5.9 km) NW, East Ayrshire
Holmes Colliery, Galston — 4.0 miles (6.5 km) NE, East Ayrshire
Portland Colliery — 4.2 miles (6.7 km) N, East Ayrshire
Fortacres Colliery — 4.2 miles (6.8 km) NW
Gauchalland Colliery — 4.3 miles (6.8 km) NE, East Ayrshire

Straight-line distance, within 9 miles (15 km). Show on the map.

What's uncertain

Points where sources disagree or the record could not be settled; both accounts are kept. All open questions in the archive.

The colliery was abandoned in 1974. (disputed) ²
The colliery's seams were abandoned in 1973. (disputed) ^3,4,5

Recorded claims

Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.

Sinking and production at Lochlea began in 1949, under the National Coal Board. ^1,2
The colliery worked the Tourha, Jewel and Hurlford Main seams, whose plans are dated 1973. ^3,4,5
Its workforce averaged 164 and peaked at 239 in 1957. ²
Lochlea closed in November 1973. ^1,2
The colliery was abandoned in 1974. (disputed) ²
The colliery's seams were abandoned in 1973. (disputed) ^3,4,5

Sources

(secondary) NCB Collieries - Scotland (Northern Mine Research Society) — Northern Mine Research Society
(primary) Lochlea Colliery 1 And 2 (NRHE 130681, NS43SE 17) — Historic Environment Scotland (Canmore)
(primary) BGS mine plan: LOCHLEAS NO 1 & 2, Tourha, abandoned 1973 — British Geological Survey / Mining Remediation Authority
(primary) BGS mine plan: LOCHLEAS NO 1 & 2, Hurlford Main, abandoned 1973 — British Geological Survey / Mining Remediation Authority
(primary) BGS mine plan: LOCHLEAS NO 1 & 2, Jewel, abandoned 1973 — British Geological Survey / Mining Remediation Authority

Record created: 24 October 2026 · Last researched: 24 October 2026