Science Fest – Bridge of Allan Well House Open Day

Doors open event.

Explore the mining past of Bridge of Allan – find out more about how copper was mined in the local area and see how a local team of volunteers are restoring the Bridge of Allan Well House which was part of the mine. A small group of volunteers with a keen interest in industrial archaeology have taken on the difficult task of restoring it.

Come and see the progress we have made this last year with the renovation. Have a tour of the inside of the Well House where you will see the headgear we have built over the old 40m deep mine shaft. Safely see down to the bottom of the shaft.

Outside wander round the garden and see the various related exhibits and our new information board. Our volunteers will be on hand to give information and answer questions about the history of the Well House and Airthrey Copper Mine and of course the renovation works we have undertaken.

The tiny Cat B Listed Well House dates from 1821 and is the earliest surviving building associated with the spa town of Bridge of Allan. It may even be one of the earliest buildings of this type in Scotland.

In 1819 water seeping from disused copper mines was discovered to be as good as the Spa towns in Europe, drinking mineral spring water quickly became fashionable after this discovery. Bridge of Allan then developed around the mineral waters which were pumped up the Well House’s 120 foot shaft and sold to the public to cure their various ailments.

Caver, Mark Stanford, found the shaft leading to the Well House whilst exploring the copper mine tunnels in 2016, he was able to purchase the building and has since been working with a small band of enthusiastic and knowledgeable volunteers to restore it.

Geology – Airtherey Copper Mine is on the Ochils fault. The Ochils are mostly volcanic being composed of lavas, agglomerates and tuffs erupted about 400 million years ago. Copper at Airthrey took 4 different forms, green (malachite), blue (azurite), yellow (chalcopyrite) and grey (chrysocolla and tetrahedite).

Sensible shoes are recommended due to undulating, and sometimes muddy, ground.

Accessibility Information: Not an accessible building

Address: MINE ROAD, BRIDGE OF ALLAN, FK9 4DT

See the full programme of the Stirling Science Festival.