Museum Of Lead Mining

Come and visit our team at Biggar Science Festival in Carmichael for our Gold Panning Taster Sessions on Sunday 23rd September 2018! The Museum will be giving demonstrations between 11am-4pm on gold panning and talking you through all the different equipment used. You can even try your hand with a taster session (£5 charge) and any gold you find you keep! Fun for all the family! Find out more at: ... https://bit.ly/2xADhBu
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Due to adverse weather conditions, the museum is closed today. Please check back tomorrow for further information. Apologies for any inconvenience caused. #scottishweather

We had a great ‘Thank the Volunteers’ Mine tour for the volunteers and their families followed by a celebratory barbecue to say Thankyou for all their hardwork done last winter. We couldn’t have done it without you! Look forward to seeing you all again this year. Thanks to Danny for being our Barbecue chef.

Great to see Historic Scotland's post about the gold of Wanlockhead! Do you fancy trying your hand at finding gold of your own?
Gold Panning taster sessions are available daily as part of our tour options! Get 20 minutes guided experience. Any gold you find is yours to keep! Cost per person: £5.10/£4.80 when booked with full tour ticket
... Looking for the real deal? Check out our 2 or 5 day gold panning courses at: https://bit.ly/2xf2OAH
For more information,drop us a line at info@leadminingmuseum.co.uk
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Looking for things to do with the kids in the October Holidays? How about a fun and interactive trip back into the past? Join us at the Museum of Lead Mining as we extend our season to include the 13th to the 21st of October. Listen to stories about the lives of real Miners and travel underground to explore our drift mine while learning more about this historical industry. Try your luck at Gold Panning and see if you can find the same thing that continues to draw people to W...anlockhead… The Museum of Lead Mining offers a unique look into the industrial and social history of Wanlockhead and is a fantastic day out for all the family. We carry out guided tours of our Lead mine, the Miners Library- the second oldest subscription library in Europe and our 3 period Cottages. In the Visitor Centre you can visit the Museum including our visiting WW1 display, as well as our Tearoom and Shop. A full day out for just £12.50 per adult or take advantage of our family deal ranging from £28.95 for 2 adults and 2 children Book tickets at: https://bit.ly/2D3ILe6
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The Museum is in the process of putting a WW1 Commemorative Display together to honour the villagers for their contribution to the war effort. We would be pleased to receive any information or artefacts relating to Wanlockhead during this period for a short term loan basis for the duration of the display. Thanking all in advance. Please contact us via email info@leadminingmuseum.co.uk or message us via fb.

The Trust and Staff would like to thank everyone who kindly donated through Just Giving. So far we have received a total of £1162.50 from 14 contributors. A big thank you to you all.
To date, the Museum Trust has not received any money through grants or bequests and confirm that we are still trying to raise much needed funds through Just Giving.

The Museum of Leadmining is collecting empty cans as an initiative to raise funds. Please can you support the Museum by saving your empty cans in a dustbin bag which can be dropped in in at the Museum or left at the door. Your support to this worthy cause is greatly appreciated.

Check out the Scottish and British Gold Panning Championships this weekend in Wanlockhead! Great day out the whole family!

Throwback to when Horses and Carriages ruled the road. Ascending the Mennock Pass which climbs some six miles from the River Nith to the summit at Wanlockhead.

We have launched a JustGiving page to support our local heritage in Wanlockhead and the vision started by Geoff Downs-Rose.

"Look up to the sky. You'll never find rainbows if you're looking down." - Charlie Chaplin
Such a stunning sight from Elvanfoot!! 🌈

Something from the history books in #wanlockhead!
The Wanlockhead School Curling Club was formed on 10th November 1883 after a meeting held in the village school.
All the boys attending Wanlockhead school were eligible to be members. Members were admitted on payment of 3d entry money and there after the annual subscription were 2d.
... Eighteen members joined in the first year. Each year the "School Medal" for played for in the December and was a coveted prize for the boys.
Scottish Curling
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it was fascinating,to see how people lived ,no creature comforts,but i am sure they were very happy,it must have been a very hard life, if you do the whole tour wear flat shoes ,there is a lot of walking to do between the cottage,the mine,and the library, also if you can visit the highest pub in scotland ,the wanlockhead inn.i will be back to visit again very soon .

We had the tour of the miners cottages the mine and the library also had a go at panning at the museum was a really great experience and would highly recommend taking the tour . Very friendly knowledgeable staff and tea room is great 👍

Very interesting

This is a really nice place to go. Cafe is excellent

The village has got an amazing history. Library has worked since 1756! Picturesque location. Friendly and helpful staff. Congratulations to Jill - The tour guide. Very informative, enthusiastic and a lovely story teller.

Such an interesting place. Bob and Jan were lovely staff and so informative. Totally recommend a visit.

The cakes in the coffee shop aree to die for!!!!

My boys loved it - really interesting and informative. We will be definitely be back as still need to visit library and museum. Lovely coffee shop with great service and tasty homemade food.

Lovely wee museum, the mine tour guide was a proper character. My boys loved panning for real gold too. A good family day out in the hills, with a drive through some beautiful scenery to get there.

Just a stunning place to visit. Lots of history and always a wonderful site to see. Still look at my gold pot.!

I’m a Geologist so this was right up my alley. A hidden gem for sure.

I love living in Scotland, got places like this right on ma door step �

Had a fab day out despite rain. Our guide, Russell, was fab and our 7 year old son had a ball going deep into the mine, then panning for gold afterwards. First class!

Great place to visit! Educational and made exciting by great staff! Ian made our visit :)

Great place to visit highly recommended friendly staff and brilliant to visit when Santa comes to the mine to deliver presents.

Fantastic visit, staff were so helpful and accommodating, the mine was fascinating and we loved our go at gold panning. Great family day out (over 5s for mine)

Fantastic visit made even more enjoyable by our guide Margaret. She was fantastic and great with the kids. The tea room was a bit shambolic though having to wait 25mins for a coffee ( then gave up) as the front of counter staff appeared to be chatting to each other slowing up the service. Despite that the museum and mine were fab and made up for it.

Always stop off here on way to Scotland hols, visit the cafe in the museum for fresh local food, plus supporting a remote community.

10 mins from the motorway.

Absolutely fantastic day out, great weather and plenty to occupy all ages ���

5 hour gold panning course on Saturday 23rd September.



I had a great day with a friendly and informative trio who showed the group how to successfully prospect for gold...and yes, we found some :-)



The group met at the lead mining museum for a cuppa and welcome chat after which we headed off down the road to the prospecting site.



Kitted out with waders (provided as part of the cost) we got down to it and learnt various aspects of how and where gold came from before getting down to it (in a small burn/river).



We learnt how to pan for gold, then use of a small sluice setup and various tools and techniques involved. We found gold quite quickly; I found a flake on my second pan, some of the group got lucky on the first pan. Small flakes for us but some were a decent size so you could easily see them, others were tiny specs that the instructors pointed out.



The day flew by and even though the drizzle/windy conditions didn't really let up, I didn't get cold (it's worth bringing along some neoprene gardening gloves or similar 'cos your hands will be in and out of the water all day). Midges might have been a problem but for the wind, so be prepared.



At the end of the day, the gold we found was pooled together and we each received a small vial containing some flakes; very cool :-)



A packed lunch was included; nice variety and very filling; thanks to the staff in the tearoom at the museum.



Well worth it :-)

it was fascinating,to see how people lived ,no creature comforts,but i am sure they were very happy,it must have been a very hard life, if you do the whole tour wear flat shoes ,there is a lot of walking to do between the cottage,the mine,and the library, also if you can visit the highest pub in scotland ,the wanlockhead inn.i will be back to visit again very soon .

We had the tour of the miners cottages the mine and the library also had a go at panning at the museum was a really great experience and would highly recommend taking the tour . Very friendly knowledgeable staff and tea room is great 👍

Very interesting

This is a really nice place to go. Cafe is excellent

The village has got an amazing history. Library has worked since 1756! Picturesque location. Friendly and helpful staff. Congratulations to Jill - The tour guide. Very informative, enthusiastic and a lovely story teller.

Such an interesting place. Bob and Jan were lovely staff and so informative. Totally recommend a visit.

The cakes in the coffee shop aree to die for!!!!

My boys loved it - really interesting and informative. We will be definitely be back as still need to visit library and museum. Lovely coffee shop with great service and tasty homemade food.

Lovely wee museum, the mine tour guide was a proper character. My boys loved panning for real gold too. A good family day out in the hills, with a drive through some beautiful scenery to get there.

Just a stunning place to visit. Lots of history and always a wonderful site to see. Still look at my gold pot.!

I’m a Geologist so this was right up my alley. A hidden gem for sure.

I love living in Scotland, got places like this right on ma door step �

Had a fab day out despite rain. Our guide, Russell, was fab and our 7 year old son had a ball going deep into the mine, then panning for gold afterwards. First class!

Great place to visit! Educational and made exciting by great staff! Ian made our visit :)

Great place to visit highly recommended friendly staff and brilliant to visit when Santa comes to the mine to deliver presents.

Fantastic visit, staff were so helpful and accommodating, the mine was fascinating and we loved our go at gold panning. Great family day out (over 5s for mine)

Fantastic visit made even more enjoyable by our guide Margaret. She was fantastic and great with the kids. The tea room was a bit shambolic though having to wait 25mins for a coffee ( then gave up) as the front of counter staff appeared to be chatting to each other slowing up the service. Despite that the museum and mine were fab and made up for it.

Always stop off here on way to Scotland hols, visit the cafe in the museum for fresh local food, plus supporting a remote community.

10 mins from the motorway.

Absolutely fantastic day out, great weather and plenty to occupy all ages ���

5 hour gold panning course on Saturday 23rd September.



I had a great day with a friendly and informative trio who showed the group how to successfully prospect for gold...and yes, we found some :-)



The group met at the lead mining museum for a cuppa and welcome chat after which we headed off down the road to the prospecting site.



Kitted out with waders (provided as part of the cost) we got down to it and learnt various aspects of how and where gold came from before getting down to it (in a small burn/river).



We learnt how to pan for gold, then use of a small sluice setup and various tools and techniques involved. We found gold quite quickly; I found a flake on my second pan, some of the group got lucky on the first pan. Small flakes for us but some were a decent size so you could easily see them, others were tiny specs that the instructors pointed out.



The day flew by and even though the drizzle/windy conditions didn't really let up, I didn't get cold (it's worth bringing along some neoprene gardening gloves or similar 'cos your hands will be in and out of the water all day). Midges might have been a problem but for the wind, so be prepared.



At the end of the day, the gold we found was pooled together and we each received a small vial containing some flakes; very cool :-)



A packed lunch was included; nice variety and very filling; thanks to the staff in the tearoom at the museum.



Well worth it :-)

it was fascinating,to see how people lived ,no creature comforts,but i am sure they were very happy,it must have been a very hard life, if you do the whole tour wear flat shoes ,there is a lot of walking to do between the cottage,the mine,and the library, also if you can visit the highest pub in scotland ,the wanlockhead inn.i will be back to visit again very soon .

We had the tour of the miners cottages the mine and the library also had a go at panning at the museum was a really great experience and would highly recommend taking the tour . Very friendly knowledgeable staff and tea room is great 👍

Very interesting

This is a really nice place to go. Cafe is excellent

The village has got an amazing history. Library has worked since 1756! Picturesque location. Friendly and helpful staff. Congratulations to Jill - The tour guide. Very informative, enthusiastic and a lovely story teller.

Such an interesting place. Bob and Jan were lovely staff and so informative. Totally recommend a visit.

The cakes in the coffee shop aree to die for!!!!

My boys loved it - really interesting and informative. We will be definitely be back as still need to visit library and museum. Lovely coffee shop with great service and tasty homemade food.

Lovely wee museum, the mine tour guide was a proper character. My boys loved panning for real gold too. A good family day out in the hills, with a drive through some beautiful scenery to get there.

Just a stunning place to visit. Lots of history and always a wonderful site to see. Still look at my gold pot.!

I’m a Geologist so this was right up my alley. A hidden gem for sure.

I love living in Scotland, got places like this right on ma door step �

Had a fab day out despite rain. Our guide, Russell, was fab and our 7 year old son had a ball going deep into the mine, then panning for gold afterwards. First class!

Great place to visit! Educational and made exciting by great staff! Ian made our visit :)

Great place to visit highly recommended friendly staff and brilliant to visit when Santa comes to the mine to deliver presents.

Fantastic visit, staff were so helpful and accommodating, the mine was fascinating and we loved our go at gold panning. Great family day out (over 5s for mine)

Fantastic visit made even more enjoyable by our guide Margaret. She was fantastic and great with the kids. The tea room was a bit shambolic though having to wait 25mins for a coffee ( then gave up) as the front of counter staff appeared to be chatting to each other slowing up the service. Despite that the museum and mine were fab and made up for it.

Always stop off here on way to Scotland hols, visit the cafe in the museum for fresh local food, plus supporting a remote community.

10 mins from the motorway.

Absolutely fantastic day out, great weather and plenty to occupy all ages ���

5 hour gold panning course on Saturday 23rd September.



I had a great day with a friendly and informative trio who showed the group how to successfully prospect for gold...and yes, we found some :-)



The group met at the lead mining museum for a cuppa and welcome chat after which we headed off down the road to the prospecting site.



Kitted out with waders (provided as part of the cost) we got down to it and learnt various aspects of how and where gold came from before getting down to it (in a small burn/river).



We learnt how to pan for gold, then use of a small sluice setup and various tools and techniques involved. We found gold quite quickly; I found a flake on my second pan, some of the group got lucky on the first pan. Small flakes for us but some were a decent size so you could easily see them, others were tiny specs that the instructors pointed out.



The day flew by and even though the drizzle/windy conditions didn't really let up, I didn't get cold (it's worth bringing along some neoprene gardening gloves or similar 'cos your hands will be in and out of the water all day). Midges might have been a problem but for the wind, so be prepared.



At the end of the day, the gold we found was pooled together and we each received a small vial containing some flakes; very cool :-)



A packed lunch was included; nice variety and very filling; thanks to the staff in the tearoom at the museum.



Well worth it :-)