Sorn Mine

Overview

A National Coal Board drift mine between Sorn and Mauchline, sunk in 1952 and worked until 1983, outliving its expected life of 25 years. Its two drifts ran some 660 metres at 1 in 4, and its coal went by road to Killoch for washing.

History

Sorn Mine was one of the drift mines the National Coal Board opened in the Ayrshire coalfield after nationalisation. It lay on the Mauchline side of Brigend, beside East Montgarswood Farm, in the parish of Sorn. Sinking began in 1952 and production in 1953, though one account dates the Sorn drift mine to 1947. Two drifts were driven from the surface: No. 1 Mine, 662 metres long at a gradient of 1 in 4 with direct rope haulage, and No. 2 Mine, 657 metres long. The coal was taken away by road and washed at Killoch Colliery.

The mine was planned for a life of 25 years and lasted longer, and the national record counts it one of the Coal Board's most successful drift mines. Its workforce averaged 233 over its life and reached 294 in 1970, and for more than thirty years it was a major employer in the district. It closed and was abandoned in 1983, the closure falling in April that year.

Geology

Ayrshire coalfield.

Workings

Two drifts from the surface: No. 1 Mine, 662 m at 1 in 4 with direct rope haulage, and No. 2 Mine, 657 m; coal sent by road to Killoch for washing.

Closure

Closed and abandoned in 1983, in April by the NCB list, after outliving its planned life of 25 years.

What remains

Unknown.

Redevelopment

Unknown.

Related mines

• Killoch Colliery — Coal Board pits in Ayrshire; Sorn's coal was washed at Killoch.

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 Sorn drift mine was dug not far from Sorn Castle in 1947 and closed in 1983. (disputed) ³

Recorded claims

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

• Sorn Colliery was sunk from 1952, began production in 1953 and closed and was abandoned in 1983. ^1,2
• The Sorn drift mine was dug not far from Sorn Castle in 1947 and closed in 1983. (disputed) ³
• No. 1 Mine was 662 m long at 1 in 4 with direct rope haulage, and No. 2 Mine 657 m long. ²
• Sorn was one of the National Coal Board's most successful drift mines, lasting longer than its expected life of 25 years. ²
• Its average workforce was 233, with a peak of 294 in 1970. ²
• Sorn Mine, beside East Montgarswood Farm on the Mauchline side of Brigend, was a major employer in the area for over thirty years. ⁴

Photographs & further reading

Sources

1. (secondary) NCB Collieries - Scotland (Northern Mine Research Society) — Northern Mine Research Society
2. (secondary) Sorn, Colliery (NRHE 130782) — Historic Environment Scotland (trove.scot, formerly Canmore)
3. (secondary) Sorn — Undiscovered Scotland
4. (secondary) Sorn Mine — Ayrshire History

Record created: 4 October 2026 · Last researched: 4 October 2026