Robert Reston Horne was a Glasgow-based Coalmaster who in 1873 entered into a lease of minerals in the lands of Torbanehill, Torbane, Latchbrae, Mosshall and Riddochhill, but seems to have done little to work them. In the 1880's the firm worked small scale pits to the Boghead coal in the lands of Torbanehill, including Torbanehill No.16, No.17, No.18, No.19, No.20, No.21, and probably also Torbanehill No.24, No.26, No.29.
References
RECLAIMING NOTE - HORNE V. GILLESPIE.
Mrs Elizabeth Honeyman, Torbanehill, residing at Trinity, for herself, and also as executrix and relict the late Wm. Honeyman Gillespie, Torbanehill, sued Robert Reston Horne, coalmaster, Hope Street, Glasgow, to have it declared that a valid contract of lease had been concluded and subsisted between the pursuer and the defender
(1) on the coal, ironstone, limestone, and fireclay (but excluding Torbanehill) mineral the lands of Latchbrach and Mosshall, parish of Whitburn, and Reddochhill, parish of Livingstone, both in the county of Linlithgow.
(2) the coal, ironstone, limestone, and fireclay, all other minerals lying in and under lands and estate of Torbanehill proper, in the parish of Bathgate;
(3) of the coal, &c., lying in and under the lands and estate of Torbane, parish of Bathgate.
The pursuer also sought to have the defender ordained to enter into leases with her (conform to drafts produced in process) of said minerals, and for payment lordships stipulated to be paid upon the respective minerals to have been let to the defender. The defender maintains that it having been agreed upon between the parties that the terms lease to be executed should be adjusted by Mr Robertson, C.E., was not bound to execute the leases produced and that be, being ready and willing to enter into the lease which had been arranged between the parties, and to pay the sums concluded for so far as they were due, the present action was unnecessary and ought to be dismissed with expenses. The Lord Ordinary (Young), after hearing counsel, decerned in terms of the first declaratory conclusion of the summons, and ordained the defender to enter into lease minerals in question, in terms of draft produced, as the same should be adjusted Mr Robertson, C.E., and to make payment to pursuer of £270, being the fixed roup of minerals in the lands of Latchbrae, Mosshall, and Riddochhill, for the period from June, 1873, 21st December, 1873, with interest.
Falkirk Herald, 7th December 1876
.......
Joint Excursion of Geological Societies.— On Saturday, the Edinburgh and Glasgow Geological Societies had their joint annual excursion. They visited Torbanehill, Bathgate, and after examining several heaps, proceeded to the new pits lately sunk to the Torbanehill mineral. Mr, Horne, the lessee, read an interesting paper, and the party afterwards dined in the hotel, Bathgate - Mr Horne presiding.
Edinburgh Evening News, 14th June 1886
