Bilston Glen Colliery Remembered.

Subscribe to my youtube channel for 300+ coal mine tributes and counting. Bilston Glen Colliery, a major National Coal Board (NCB) "superpit" in Midlothian, Scotland, operated from the 1950s to 1989, designed for deep mining into the Midlothian coalfield, employing over 2,300 miners at its peak in the 1970s, History & Development Strategic Superpit: Opened by the NCB, it was built to access deeper, previously untapped coal seams in the Midlothian basin, connecting to existing workings for airflow and access. Advanced Facilities: The site featured modern infrastructure for its time, including large baths, canteens, and medical facilities, part of NCB architect Egon Riss's projects. Production & Workforce: Production began in the early 1960s, peaking in the 1970s with a massive workforce, utilizing a main shaft over 750m deep. Closure: Production ceased in 1989, with the surface complex later redeveloped into the Bilston Industrial Estate, though the glen itself is noted for its geology. Legacy Geological Importance: The surrounding Bilston Glen is a protected Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its exposed geological strata, a stark contrast to the industrial activity. Memorial & Memory: While the pit is gone, its history is preserved in local memory and through related heritage sites, marking a significant chapter in Scottish industrial and social history.