Wanlockhead Beam Engine
Wanlockhead Beam Engine image gallery
Witness a true industrial relic, the only reasonably complete water-powered beam pumping machine in Britain.
Wanlockhead's beam engine forms part of the fascinating mining landscape that survives in Scotland's highest village.
It was built in about 1870 to pump water from the Straitsteps lead mine beneath it. It was in action for about 40 years, until around 1910. Commercial lead mining here ceased in 1928.
Wanlockhead and neighbouring Leadhills are known as ‘God’s Treasure House in Scotland’ because of the gold and lead lying beneath them.
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