Oral Histories

The sharp increase in oil prices during the 1970's prompted a review of shale oil reserves in many parts of the world. In the USA, plans to exploit shale in Colorado prompted the US Department of Energy to commission a programme of research into the possible health consequences of the planned new industry.

The Institute of Occupational Medicine, based in Edinburgh, was commissioned to undertake a programme of research looking at parallels between the Scottish industry and that planned for the USA, and considering factors that might affect the health of the workforce and local population. The work included analysis of health records and a programme of interviews with retired shale workers and their families that aimed to identify any common factors in working or home life that might increase the risk of illness.

Dr. Sara Randall's paper "A socio-historical study of Scottish shale mining communities in Mid and West Lothian" was published in 1990 and concluded:

"Comparisons with contemporary studies show that, although the shale communities were poor with bad living conditions compared with today, there is no evidence that they were any worse off than contemporary working class communities, and thus no reason to expect that overall mortality levels should be raised."

Dr. Randall's paper, and all other reports in this study, are available on-line from the Institute of Occupational Medicine library. The original cassette recordings of these interviews, and their transcripts, were subsequently deposited in our museum.

The study, and Sara Randall's thorough and sensitively conducted interviews, provide a unique record of working and home life, and of the interests and attitudes of the day. The interviews are personal accounts and sometimes touch on sensitive and intimate issues. Except for a few interviewees marked as anonymous, all agreed at the time to be identified in subsequent publications; however in 1983, when most of the interview were conducted, few could have conceived that their words would be shared on-line throughout the world. We feel that there is great value in retaining the identity of those interviewed and those referred to in the interviews, however if any direct relative of an interviewee is concerned on this point, we ask that they contact us so we might consider measures to obscure identities.

In addition to those interviewed as part of the IOM study, our collection included various oral history recordings conducted in the late 1980's by the Livingston Oil Museum project.

List of interviewees and transcripts.

The names link to the appropriate file records, where the "view file" links to a pdf file containing a transcription and index.

James ANDERSON

A Maintenance Engineer at Oakbank Paraffin Oil Works, Burngrange No. 1 & 2 Pits, Addiewell Chemical Works and Westwood Crude Oil Works, also an Auto Electrician at Middleton Hall. Lived in Oakbank.

Joseph ANDERSON

An Electrician from Polbeth who was employed by Scottish Oils Ltd at various oil works and mines as work required. Lived in Mossend.

Maria ANDERSON

Lived in Broxburn.

Mrs J.S. (anonymous)

Lived in Danderhall and Polbeth.

Mrs L. (anonymous)

Lived in Dalmeny.

Mr & Mrs W. (anonymous)

From Dalmeny, Mr W was a Shale Miner's Drawer at Duddingston No. 1 & 2 Mines.

Mr A. BALLOCH

A Pony Driver, Shale Miner's Drawer, Pit Sinker, Oversman, Fireman then Under-manager, from West Calder, who worked at Polbeth No. 26 Mine, Burngrange No 1 & 2 Pits and Fraser Pit.

James BELL

A Bricklayer who specialised in retort building at Niddry Castle Crude Oil Works and Westwood Crude Oil Works.

Grant BERNARD

A Drawer and Shale Miner at Newliston No. 29 Mine, Dunnet (Sandhole) Mines, Roman Camp Mines, Philpstoun No. 6 Mine and Hopetoun No. 35 Pit (Threemiletown).

George BERTRAM

A Shale Miner's Drawer and Checkweighman at Hopetoun No. 35 Pit (Threemiletown). Lived in Bridgend.

Richard BLAKE

A Pony Driver and Shale Miner's Drawer at Breich No. 1 & 2 Pits then Pit Sinker and Shale Miner at Fraser Pit, Hermand Mine and Westwood No. 1 & 2 Pit, from Seafield.

Mrs BOAG & Mr BLACK

Mr Black was a Drawer and Shale Miner at Stewartfield No. 1 Mine and Hopetoun No. 4 Mine. Lived in Broxburn.

Harry BOYLAN

A Drawer and Shale Miner at Roman Camp No. 6 Mine and Westwood No. 1 & 2 Pit. Lived in Roman Camp.

James BROWN

A Pit Bottomer at Breich No. 1 & 2 Pits, Drawer at Gavieside No. 40 Mine, Westwood No. 1 & 2 Pits, Shale Miner at Polbeth No. 26 Mine, Hermand Mine and Fraser Pit. Lived in Mossend and Polbeth.

David CALDER

A Carter at Addiewell Chemical Works. Lived in Burngrange Cottages.

Mr & Mrs CAMERON

Mr Cameron was an Engineer at Dalmeny Oil Works and lived in Dalmeny since his birth.

Edward CAULFIELD

A Pit Bottomer, Pony Driver and Shale Miner's Drawer at Hopetoun No. 35 Pit (Threemiletown), Shale Miner's Drawer at Philpstoun (Whitequarries) No. 1 Mine. Lived in Philpstoun.

Mr & Mrs T CRILLY

Mr Crilly was a Pony Driver and Shale Miner's Drawer at Tarbrax, Shale Miner's Drawer at Polbeth No. 26 Mine, Shale Miner and Fireman at Burngrange No. 1 & 2 Pits. Lived in Tarbrax, West Calder and Polbeth.

John CROMBIE

A Pithead Runner, Oncost Worker, Roadsman and Shale Miner's Drawer at Polbeth No. 26 Mine, Shale Miner at Westwood No. 1 & 2 Pits and Fraser Pit, Pit Sinker and Shale Miner at Hermand Mine. Lived in Gavieside and West Calder.

William DEMPSTER

An Oncost Worker and Drawer at Baads No. 42 Coal Mine. Lived in Burngrange and West Calder.

Mr J. DOCHERTY

A Greaser, Catcher, Snibbler, Retort Worker, and Retort Charger at Niddry Castle Oil Works.

Sheena DONACHIE

Widow of John Lightbody, one of the Shale Miners who died in the Burngrange Disaster at Burngrange No 1 & 2 Pits. Lived in Cobbinshaw and West Calder.

James DOUGAL

A Pit Bottomer, Shale Miner's Drawer and Shale Miner at Hopetoun No. 35 Pit (Threemiletown) and Philpstoun (Whitequarries) No. 6 Mine. Lived in Uphall.

Margaret DUDGEN

Lived in Broxburn.

Mr ELLIS & Mr ELLIS (Brothers)

A Pony Driver at Baads No. 42 Coal Mine and Shale Miner's Drawer at Gavieside No. 40 Mine and Burngrange No 1 & 2 Pits, Tip Labourer at Westwood Crude Oil Works. Lived in Mossend and Polbeth.

William ERSKINE

A Pithead Worker, Pony Driver, Pit Bottomer, Engineman, Shale Miner's Drawer at Philpstoun No. 6 Mine (Whitequarries). Lived in Newton and Winchburgh.

Archibald FAIRLEY

Worked in the Sulphate House then as an Engineer Repairist, Maintenance Engineer, Fitter and Foreman at Broxburn (Albyn) Oil Works, Roman Camp Oil Works, Roman Camp mines, Hopetoun No. 6 Mine (Glendevon), Hopetoun No. 35 Pit (Threemiletown), Hayscraig Opencast Quarry and Philpstoun (Whitequarries) No. 6 Mine.

George FAIRLEY

A Pithead Worker, Pit Bottomer and Shale Miner's Drawer at Burngrange No. 1 & 2 Pits, Hermand Mine and Westwood No. 1 & 2 Pits. Lived in Polbeth and Livingston Station.

George FLEMING

Lived in Broxburn.

Hugh FRY

Worked in the Cooperage, Time Office and Filling Station then as a Labourer at Pumpherston Refinery.

William GETTY (Kirkliston)

A Labourer and Snibbler at Niddry Castle Crude Oil Works then Apprentice Chemical Plumber at Broxburn Acid Works (Broxburn Oil Works). Lived in Winchburgh and Kirkliston.

William GETTY (Winchburgh)

A Labourer in the Sulphate House, Retort Worker and Retort Charger at Niddry Castle Crude Oil Works. Lived in Winchburgh.

William GIBB

A Shale Miner's Drawer at Duddingston No. 1 & 2 Mines, Tottlywells No. 1 Mine and Philpstoun (Whitequarries) No. 6 Mine. Lived in Winchburgh.

Mervyn GRAHAM

A Pit Bottomer, Chainman, Hutch Repairer and Pithead Worker at Westwood No. 1 & 2 Pits. Lived in Oakbank Cottages, Westwood.

Peter GRAY

A Shale Miner's Drawer, Oncost Worker, Cloth Hanger, Spare Deputy (Fireman) at Hopetoun No. 35 Pit (Threemiletown). Lived in Threemiletown.

Adam GREENHORN

A Retort Worker, Labourer on the sulphate of ammonia plant and Hammersman at Oakbank Paraffin Oil Works. Lived in Oakbank.

Mr James HANLON & Mr Irvine HANLON

A Shale Miner's Drawer, Faceman and Repairer at Duddingston No. 1 & 2 Mines and Duddingston No. 3 Mine and Philpstoun (Whitequarries) No. 1 Mine. Lived in Niddry Rows and Winchburgh.

Robert HAY

A Pit Bottomer and Shale Miner's Drawer at Westwood No. 1 & 2 Pit then worked at Pumpherston Refinery. Lived in Dedridge.

Walter HENDERSON

A Pit Bottomer, Pony Driver, Drawer and Shale Miner at Westwood No. 1 & 2 Pit. Lived in Oakbank Cottages, Westwood.

Thomas HILL

An Office Boy, Labourer (Cooperage), Acid Attendant, Wax Treatment Operator, Power Station Attendant, Time Office Worker and Watchman at Pumpherston Oil Works. Lived in Pumpherston.

David HORSBURGH

A Bag Boy, Message Boy and Office Worker at Pumpherston Oil Works / Refinery and Westwood No.1 & 2 Pits. Lived in Pumpherston.

Alexander HUNTER

An Engineer at Roman Camp Crude Oil Works, Broxburn Oil Works, Pumpherston Oil Works / Refinery and Addiewell Chemical Works. An Undermanager at Grangemouth Refinery. Lived in Faucheldean, Winchburgh and Roman Camp and talks about the houses he lived in there.

Thomas HUTCHINSON (Queensferry)

An Engineer at Pumpherston Crude Oil Works / Refinery, Westwood Crude Oil Works and Grangemouth. Talks about Scottish Oils and lived in East Calder.

Thomas HUTCHINSON (Pumpherston)

A Hammersman, Apprentice Joiner and Shunter at Oakbank Oil Works then worked as a Shunter at Pumpherston Oil Works. Lived in Oakbank and Pumpherston.

Leslie JOHNSTONE

A Pony Driver, Drawer, Faceman at Winchburgh and Whitequarries. Lived in Philpstoun.

George JORDON & Harold PURSE

A Chain Runner and Roadsman at Addiewell then Pit Bottomer, Drawer and Cleekhunter at Burngrange. They talk about the Burngrange Disaster of 1947 and lived in West Calder.

John KELLY

A Drawer at Ingliston Pit and Totleywells No. 1 mine. Lived in Edinburgh, then Broxburn.

Leonara KELLY

Talks about domestic life and houses in Addiewell. Mentions Loganlea Pit, Addiewell Oil Works, Philpstoun Oil Works and Stoneyburn. Also talks about the gala days and the types of work women did.

David LIDDLE

A Candle Maker at Broxburn Oil Works. Talks about women working in the candle works and the houses and living conditions in Broxburn.

Mr & Mrs LIVINGSTONE

A Pithead Worker, Chain Runner, Drawer and Labouring Squad at Duddingston Mine. They talk about domestic life, living conditions and gala days of Dalmeny.

George LYON

A Bag Boy and Chain Runner at Glen Devon Mine (Hopetoun No. 6 Mine) then as a Drawer at Tottlywells and Whitequarries (Philpstoun No. 1 Mine). Talks about recreation and living in Millgate and Broxburn.

David MACKIE

A Pony Driver at Breich No. 1 & 2 Pit, Gavieside No. 40 Mine, Baads No. 42 Coal Mine and Polbeth No. 26 Mine. Then worked as a Mine Foreman at Waikato Coal Mine in New Zealand, Fireman in Upper Newcastle, NSW, Australia, Sinker, Pithead Worker, Shaftsman, Pit Bottomer and Shiftman at Burngrange.

James McARTHUR

A Pony Driver at Polbeth No. 26 Mine then Drawer at Baads No. 42 Coal Mine and Burngrange and also a Fireman at Burngrange. Lived in West Calder.

John McCOTTER

A Drawer at Roman Camps No. 6 Mine then as a Diesel Filtration Operator and Cleaner in Pumpherston Oil Works / Refinery. Talks about various accidents in the pits.

John McCULLOCH

A Bank and Accountant at West Calder, Edinburgh and Dalkieth working for the City of Glasgow Bank, which then became the Commercial Bank, then the National Commercial Bank and finally the Royal Bank. Talks about social life and living conditions in Gavieside and West Calder and that his grandfather was a Candlemaker at Addiewell Chemical Works.

Robert McGECHIE

A Pony Driver at Deans No. 5 Mine, then Drawer at Deans No. 4 Mine and Westwood No. 1 & 2 Pit and finally as a Fireman in Breich No. 1 & 2 Pit.

Neil McGINTY

A Labourer then Crane Operator, Diesel Pump Operator and Dipper at Pumpherston Oil Works / Refinery.

Alex McKEE

An Assistant Grocer at Broxburn Cooperative then Apprentice Joiner for Scottish Oils and worked at Broxburn Acidworks. Then worked at Whitequarries, Roman Camp No. 6 Mine, Roman Camp Oilworks and Oakbank as a Joiner.

Donald McKENZIE

A Chainrunner at Westwood No. 1 & 2 Pit, then as a Drawer. Lived in Dedridge.

Mr D. McLEOD

Worked as a Bottomer and a Drawer at Roman Camps Mine, then as a Faceman at Roman Camps Mine and Whitequarries (Philpstoun No. 1 Mine). Lived in Broxburn and talks about the strikes in 1921, 1925 and 1926.

Mr D. McQUEEN

A Greaser at Addiewell Oil Works then a Sandboy, a Labourer and Platelayer. Then worked as a Breaker and Nightwatchman at Westwood. Lived in Addiewell and talks about houses and living conditions.

John McRINER

A Labourer, Blacksmith's Labourer, Ostler and Surface Foreman at Tottlywells No. 1 Mine and Duddingston Mines.

Mr A. MEEK

An Office Worker at Broxburn Oil Works, Roman Camp Oil Works and Pumpherston Oil Works.

Mrs MILLER

Worked in service as a Maid. Lived in Broxburn and talks about the houses and living conditions. Both father and husband worked in the shale industry.

Robin MOORE

A Drawer and Faceman at Philpstoun Mine. Talks about the accident that caused the death of his brother and dicusses the works of a Faceman in great detail. His grandfather was the General Manager at Pumpherston Oil Company. Also talks about recreation at the Philpstoun Reading Room. Lived in Philpstoun.

Joe MORRISON

A Sulphate House Worker at Deans Crude Oil Works, then a Stillman and Fire Deputy before becoming Foreman. Moved to Westwood and worked cleaning the boilers. Lived in both Dechmont and Livingston Station. Talks about working during the blackouts in WWI.

Mr J. PATERSON

A Pithead Runner and Drawer at Roman Camp and Duddingston Mines. Lived in Winchburgh

Mr & Mrs PATERSON

Mr Paterson: An Apprentice Plumber and Tank Filler at Philpstoun Oil Works, then as a Pony Driver at Whitequarries. Reopened Faucheldean and worked as a Pumper and then a Drawer. He then left the shale mines and went to work as a Maintenance Engineer at Pumpherston Oil Works. Mrs Paterson: Worked as a Housemaid until she married. They lived in Queensferry, Newton and Dalmeny.

James PRESTON

A Chainrunner at Westwood Pits. Talks about playing football and other hobbies that he had.

Robina QUIGLEY

Lived in Livingston Station and learned play the piano which she used to play for the wounded soldiers at Bangour Hospital. Her father was a miner at Pumpherston and her grandfather worked in Oakbank Paraffin Oil Works. Talks about women in the Labour Party, Parish money, and living in Livingston Station especially during the World Wars.

Mr. & Mrs RANKIN

Mr Rankin's father worked in the shale mines and talks about the difference between coal and shale miners. Mr Rankin worked in the Co-operative and ended up President of the Co-operative. Talks about the role the Co-op played in the lives of people and society at that time. Both talk about their differing living conditions growing up. Lived in West Calder.

George REID

A Stillman at Oakbank Paraffin Oil Works, then moved on to working on the retorts and talks in great details about this, before becoming Shift Foreman. Also worked at Hopetoun Oil Works, Addiewell Chemical Works and Roman Camp Oil Works.

Mr & Mrs REID

Mr J. RICHARDSON

Mr Reid: A Stillman, Retort Worker and then Manager at Hopetoun Oil Works. Mrs Reid: A Sulphate House Worker where she sewed up the bags. She was the only woman working there and stopped when she got married. They lived in Oakbank and Broxburn.

William SHAW

Worked in Duddingston Mine and Oakbank Oil Works. Lived in Broxburn and talks about the houses and living conditions.

Frank STARK

Trained as a Fitter at Pumpherston Refinery and also worked at Pumpherston Detergent Works. Lived in Pumpherston.

James STEIN

An Apprentice Electrician at Philpstoun Oil Works, then finished his apprenticeship at Middleton Hall. Worked in various Scottish Oils works and mines such as Philpstoun Oil Work, Middleton Hall, Pumpherston, Westwood No. 1 & 2 Pits, Whitequarries No. 3 Mines, Duddingston and Tottlywells.

James TAFTS

A Pony Driver, Drawer and Faceman at Newliston, Kirkland and Fauchledean Mine. A Faceman at Whitequarries Mine and then Oncost. Talks bout Unions and football teams.

Mr A. TAYLOR

A Sinker at Burngrange Pit and Roman Camps No. 6 Mine. A Drawer at Pumpherston and then worked at Whitequarries and moved on to work as a Fitter at Pumpherston Oil Works.