A couple of old mines on the moors above Grimwith reservoir.
The red dots are levels (adits, tunnels) associated with the Red Scar (or Grimwith) mine, the pink ones with the Old Prosperous (or Groove Gill) mine.
These were attempts to exploit the mineralised veins which cross this region between the better known mining areas of Grassington Moor to the west and Ashfold Side to the east.
Although some ore was found, the mines weren’t particularly productive and had shut by 1877.
As usual there were no pictures of anything underground, so the only thing to do was go for a walk and see what was open.
Speculation Level (1812). Starting with the level on right, it was driven through the main veins to see how much ore they contained at this altitude.
In the event not much was found and it was abandoned in 1841 after digging more than 600 yards north.
While the entrance is fairly obvious I didn’t get more than 10 yards before the deep orange soup threatened to swamp my waders.
It does look as if it goes on beyond the partial blockage though - maybe one for the more committed miney types.
Barytes containing traces of galena can be found on the waste tip.
Moving west, this is a view up the valley from the other side of the reservoir.
Another short level was started to the left of the building on the far shore, although I didn’t look for it since maps suggest it’s now probably at or below the waterline (the reservoir was enlarged in the 1970s).
Red Scar Level (1863). This went in for about half the original length shown on a mine plan, ending a collapse near the position of a junction and a descending shaft.
Some ore was found but mostly not where it was expected - the sticks across the ceiling may have been to support air ducting.
The end and back out.
Above the level are some structures, including a pit for a water wheel and the ruin of a house/office built into the hillside.
The quality of the stonework and the remains of a balcony outside the first floor window of the house suggests money was being spent in the expectation of good returns.
Nearby is an ore bin, a processing area and a shaft.
The shaft was sunk in 1867 looking for more ore but ran into flooding problems needing the waterwheel to pump it.
Some chunks containing galena from the waste tips below the processing area.
continued
The red dots are levels (adits, tunnels) associated with the Red Scar (or Grimwith) mine, the pink ones with the Old Prosperous (or Groove Gill) mine.
These were attempts to exploit the mineralised veins which cross this region between the better known mining areas of Grassington Moor to the west and Ashfold Side to the east.
Although some ore was found, the mines weren’t particularly productive and had shut by 1877.
As usual there were no pictures of anything underground, so the only thing to do was go for a walk and see what was open.
Speculation Level (1812). Starting with the level on right, it was driven through the main veins to see how much ore they contained at this altitude.
In the event not much was found and it was abandoned in 1841 after digging more than 600 yards north.
While the entrance is fairly obvious I didn’t get more than 10 yards before the deep orange soup threatened to swamp my waders.
It does look as if it goes on beyond the partial blockage though - maybe one for the more committed miney types.
Barytes containing traces of galena can be found on the waste tip.
Moving west, this is a view up the valley from the other side of the reservoir.
Another short level was started to the left of the building on the far shore, although I didn’t look for it since maps suggest it’s now probably at or below the waterline (the reservoir was enlarged in the 1970s).
Red Scar Level (1863). This went in for about half the original length shown on a mine plan, ending a collapse near the position of a junction and a descending shaft.
Some ore was found but mostly not where it was expected - the sticks across the ceiling may have been to support air ducting.
The end and back out.
Above the level are some structures, including a pit for a water wheel and the ruin of a house/office built into the hillside.
The quality of the stonework and the remains of a balcony outside the first floor window of the house suggests money was being spent in the expectation of good returns.
Nearby is an ore bin, a processing area and a shaft.
The shaft was sunk in 1867 looking for more ore but ran into flooding problems needing the waterwheel to pump it.
Some chunks containing galena from the waste tips below the processing area.
continued
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