Geograph - photograph every grid square

At the beginning of the 19th century Galston’s character and appearance began to change from a textile and agricultural centre to a major coal mining area. The arrival of the railway from Kilmarnock in 1848 allowed new coal seams to open up. Towards the end of the 19th century Galston had fifteen pits around the town employing around one thousand miners. (a warren of disused mines lies far below the streets) This brought wealth to the town allowing significant expansion and bound generations of the town’s people together. The 20th Century saw the decline of mining locally and the last pit (Maxwood Pit) sadly closed in 1933. The Goatfoot Colliery was situated where the Barrwood Gate housing development on the main road to Kilmarnock is now sited. Deep coal mining was dangerous and treacherous, many lost their lives. In 2009 the Galston Memorial Cairn was dedicated to the memory of the men and boys who died in the local mining industry.

Source : Galston Heritage Trail.