NS0045 : Mine Shaft in Glen Sannox
taken 13 years ago, near to Sannox, Isle of Arran, North Ayrshire, Scotland
Barytes is a dense mineral (BaSO4 barium sulphate). It has many uses, today mostly for oil drilling. The area around South Glen Sannox is mostly lower Devonian sandstones and conglomerates, and there are several N-S and E-W faults. One of the N-S faults, possibly from the Triassic (BGS) later filled with hot hydrothermal fluids which deposited the white Barytes. The fault breccia with barytes can be found at the surface, notably in the stream or spoil heaps. In 1840 mining started, and several small adits Link can be seen in the hillside. Mining ceased in 1862 by the order of the 11th Duke of Hamilton because “it spoilt the solemn grandeur of the scene”.
After the first world war mining was restarted, and a narrow gauge railway ran down to a purpose built pier. The building remains are evident today. Sadly for Sannox the Barytes ran out in 1938, and the works were demolished and abandoned.