29. Hilderston Silver Mine, Bathgate Hills
It is believed that silver from this mine was used in the manufacture of the Scottish Crown Jewels in the beginning of 1600s.
There is no rock exposed at the Hilderston Silver Mine site, although spoil heaps may still reveal some interesting minerals from the silver-lead-zinc mining. The mine was in operation in the early 1600s and re-opened in the 1700s. The list of known minerals from the mine includes: albertite, baryte, calcite, dolomite, quartz, galena, sphalerite, niccolite, chalcopyrite and native silver. The site was commandeered by the Crown in 1608, as the vein of silver that ran through was of such purity. It is believed that the silver from this mine was used in the manufacture of the Scottish Crown Jewels or "Honours of Scotland", which are on display within Edinburgh Castle.
Hilderston Silver Mine is in the proximity of Cairnpapple Hill in the Bathgate Hills (see site 20). Parking is available nearby in the lay-by for Cairnpapple at the top of the hill. Other nearby geodiversity sites are Hilderston Silver Mine Quarry (28) and The Knock (38).
