Old Gang Smelt Mill Ruins

Old Gang is an old smelting mill, dating back to the 18th or 19th century. It's one of the best preserved mills of its kind in the North and is also a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

There are many remains here. The most obvious is the mill itself, with its completely intact chimney. There is also a row of stone columns on the hillside, representing all that remains of a peat house. The area is harsh, bleak and, therefore, fantastic (a bit of an insight into the way my mind works there).

Whilst the Old Gang mill was one of the largest in the area, a search of the archives has failed to reveal either when it was built or closed. Nevertheless, there are some clues. Sure is, it's built before 1854 (and most probably before 1846.

It had stopped serious smelting by 1885. It is found that “the last ore was smelted in 1898, but for several years prior to this date very little work had been done”.

Nevertheless, the mill smelted in small way until at least October 1899, and possibly until 1903. By 1913, however, the mill had closed and the mine was selling its ore to John Walton & Co. at Castleside.

Old Gang and Surrender were the largest AD smelt mills, but there were another five mills in the AD liberties.


nmrs.org.uk/mines-map/smelt-mills/smelting/oldgang

The Old Gang are the ruins of a lead smelting mill, it dates back to the 18th and 19th centuries.  It is one of the best preserved up in the north, and is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument. This trail runs right through it, passing by various building ruins, mine entrances, and the peat store.