Monument record MHG9767 - Brora

Grid Reference corrected to NC 90705 03701 - J Aitken, 4/2/2004
NC90SW 4 906 037
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See also NC80SE 44, 61 and 62.

(NC 9068 0370) Coal Shaft (NR) (Remains of)
(NC 9090 0362) Old Salt House (NR) (Site of)
OS 25" map, Sutherland, (1908)
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See also:
NC90SW0029 - Salt Pans (Old)
NC90SW0052 - Salt Pans (New)
NC80SE0077 - Coal Shaft & Tramway, Inverbrora
NC80SE0078 - No 1 Colliery, Fascally
NC80SE0013 - Ross No 2 Colliery, Fascally
NC80SE0111 - Colliery Tramway, Fascally
NC80SE0110 - Clay Pits
NC80SE0052 - Brora Brickworks
NC80SE0109 - Colliery Monument
J Aitken : 4/2/2004
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The existence of coal at Brora was known as early as 1529 but working on any considerable scale did not commence until 1598 when Jean, Countess of Sutherland, opened the coal pits and salt pans. After a time coal mining and salt making was discontinued. They were revived for some years about 1820 and the Third Duke of Sutherland, about 1870, again opened the coal mine at Brora. Since that time a steady trade has been maintained, with brick and tile works being erected in conjunction with it instead of salt pans.
R Gordon 1813; H F Campbell 1920; W Calder 1955; Anon nd.
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The first coal pit, opened in 1598, was probably near the salt pans which were in the vicinity of the now demolished Old Salt House at NC 9090 0362. In 1614 the workings were reopened and the shaft was visible 'some 200 yds N of the Old Salt House.' This must refer to the shaft published on the OS map, which remains as a slight depression filled with stones.
The coal mining industry in Brora is now defunct, production having ended in 1975.
Anon 1952; Visited by OS (N K B) 29 January 1976.