Pathhead Colliery

Overview

A small colliery at Pathhead, New Cumnock, worked by the Gray family in the 1890s for gas, household and steam coal and oil shale.

History

Pathhead Colliery lay at Pathhead, New Cumnock. In the 1890s it was worked by the Gray family, Archibald Gray and Company and James Gray of New Cumnock, who raised gas, household and steam coal and oil shale there; in 1893 James Gray was both owner and manager. It was a small working, with 29 men in 1894, 41 in 1896 and 36 in 1900.

In June 1898 a miner of 44, Samuel McCall, was killed by a fall of roof at the working face. The colliery is not returned after 1900.

Geology

Coal and oil shale.

Workings

Unknown.

Closure

Last returned in 1900, with 36 men; when it closed is unknown.

What remains

Unknown.

Related mines

• Coalburn Colliery, New Cumnock — Neighbouring collieries at New Cumnock.

Recorded claims

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

• Pathhead Colliery, New Cumnock, belonged to Archibald Gray and Company and James Gray, raising coal and oil shale. ^1,2
• Pathhead employed 29 men in 1894, 41 in 1896 and 36 in 1900. ²
• On 6 June 1898 a miner of 44, Samuel McCall, was killed by a fall of roof at the working face at Pathhead. ^3,2

Sources

1. (primary) List of Mines in Scotland, 1893 — Scottish Mining Website
2. (primary) Pathhead Colliery — Durham Mining Museum
3. (secondary) Fatal accidents in Scottish mines, 1898 — Scottish Mining Website

Record created: 21 October 2026 · Last researched: 21 October 2026