IEEC3 Pre- and Post- Conference Trips

Visits to surviving Newcomen engine and other industrial history sites are being arranged on Thursday 21st and Monday 25th March 2024, at separate cost. For a preview of the sites, and what to expect, see our blog on the recce for the trips in November 2023.

Due to limited spaces and site access arrangements PARTICIPATION IN THESE TRIPS MUST BE PRE-BOOKED, and confirmed via the organisers (email admn@earlyengings.org). WATERPROOF FOOTWEAR AND CLOTHING RECOMMENDED.

Image of cast iron beam of the static Cornish bean engine at Prestongrange industrial museum.

Up close and industrial

Thursday 21st March 2024 – Newcomen Engine House Tour – Leader/guide David Hardwick

This tour will be conducted in private vehicles, with passenger sharing, as arranged in advance. WATERPROOF FOOTWEAR AND CLOTHING RECOMMENDED.

MORNING TOUR

Starting promptly at 9:00 AM, from the Car Park at Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life,
Heritage Way, Coatbridge (ML5 1QD) [Museum itself opens at 10.00]. Heading South-West towards the Ayrshire Coalfield. We aim to have at least 45 minutes on site at each location and return to Summerlee Museum for the second part of the tour which will start at 14:00.

  • Auchenharvie Engine House near Saltcoats (NGR 25684 41384)
  • Blacksyke Tower, Caprington golf course, near Kilmarnock containing the (NGR 41618 35254)

AFTERNOON TOUR

Start Time 14:00 from Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life (Car Park), Heritage Way, Coatbridge (ML5 1QD). This time we will head north-east towards Bo’ness. We aim to return to the Summerlee Museum site by 18:00.

  • First stop at Kinneil House to visit the workshop where James Watt worked on his improved engine.
  • Former Engine House (NGR 01401 81290) at Kinningars Park, Bo’ness

Monday 25 March 2024 – Beam Engine House Tour – leader/guide Steve Grudgings

ALL DAY TOUR – A coach has been hired for this tour – with costs split across attendees (c.£25 per head). WET WEATHER CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR RECOMMENDED.

8.15-8.45 Coach picks up passengers at Coatbridge Sunnyside Station (in time for arrivals from Glasgow Queen St @8.20AM and 8.30AM and Edinburgh Waverley @8.32AM)

8.45 Party assembles in Summerlee Museum Car park.

9.00 Departure [Museum itself opens at 10.00]

  • 10.15 Arrival at Prestongrange Museum – guided access to Cornish Beam Engine and opportunity to see other features of this excellent site (brickworks, railway exhibits etc) (toilets available)
  • 11.30 Return to coach and depart for Devon Colliery

12.30 Lunch stop near or in Clackmannan

  • 13.00 Arrival at SSPCA, Fishcross and view interior and exterior of Devon Colliery Cornish Engine House
  • 13.30 Return and depart for Kennetpans
  • 13.45 Arrive at Kennetpans and guided tour of beam engine house – NB hazardous underfoot (coach cannot access the last 400 yards of road, so walking required)
  • 15.15 Depart Kennetpans for Culross
  • 15.45 Arrive Culross for guided walk of Colliery sites (we have allowed 75 minutes here as it is an attractive village with ample choices for refreshments)

18.00 Arrive back at Summerlee, with drop-offs at Stirling/and other locations TBC with relevant participants