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Alva Silver Mine, Silver Glen, Alva, Clackmannanshire, Scotland, UKi
Regional Level Types
Alva Silver MineMine
Silver Glen- not defined -
Alva- not defined -
ClackmannanshireCouncil Area
ScotlandCountry
UKCountry

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PhotosMapsSearch
08698200017272019704559.jpg
The main silver mine, on the west side of the burn.

Alva Silver Mine, Silver Glen, Alva, Clackmannanshire, Scotland, UK
07282530017272019719025.jpg
The main silver mine.

Alva Silver Mine, Silver Glen, Alva, Clackmannanshire, Scotland, UK
03603660017272019733314.jpg
Top of the silver mine tip.

Alva Silver Mine, Silver Glen, Alva, Clackmannanshire, Scotland, UK
08698200017272019704559.jpg
The main silver mine, on the west side of the burn.

Alva Silver Mine, Silver Glen, Alva, Clackmannanshire, Scotland, UK
07282530017272019719025.jpg
The main silver mine.

Alva Silver Mine, Silver Glen, Alva, Clackmannanshire, Scotland, UK
03603660017272019733314.jpg
Top of the silver mine tip.

Alva Silver Mine, Silver Glen, Alva, Clackmannanshire, Scotland, UK
08698200017272019704559.jpg
The main silver mine, on the west side of the burn.

Alva Silver Mine, Silver Glen, Alva, Clackmannanshire, Scotland, UK
06366640017272019797299.jpg
The main silver mine.

Alva Silver Mine, Silver Glen, Alva, Clackmannanshire, Scotland, UK
Latitude & Longitude (WGS84):
56° 9' 32'' North , 3° 47' 3'' West
Latitude & Longitude (decimal):
56.15889,-3.78417
GRN:
N38W02
UK National Grid Reference:
NS892977
Type:
Mine
Köppen climate type:
Cfb : Temperate oceanic climate
Nearest Settlements:
PlacePopulationDistance
Alva4,720 (2017)1.5km
Glenochil Village820 (2017)2.7km
Tillicoultry5,160 (2017)2.8km
Coalsnaughton850 (2017)3.6km
Tullibody8,710 (2017)4.4km
Nearest Clubs:
Local clubs are the best way to get access to collecting localities
ClubLocationDistance
The Scottish Mineral & Lapidary ClubLeith, Edinburgh43km
Mindat Locality ID:
4983
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:2:4983:5
GUID (UUID V4):
0
Other/historical names associated with this locality:
Clackmannanshire


The discovery of a rich bonanza style deposit of native silver in 1715 coinciding with the Jacobite rebellion of that year led to a remarkable story of fortunes made and lost, betrayal and intrigue (see: "Bonanzas and Jacobites: the Story of the Silver Glen", by Stephen Moreton). The mines were later worked for cobalt which was sold to a pottery near Edinburgh to make a blue glaze.
Small workings are still visible beside the Silver Burn in the Ochil Hills Woodland Park. The overgrown waste heap has been systematically dug by collectors, and by the National Museum of Scotland, but micromounts of dendritic silver can still occasionally be found, with difficulty and perseverance.

Select Mineral List Type

Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical Elements

Commodity List

This is a list of exploitable or exploited mineral commodities recorded at this locality.


Mineral List


28 valid minerals. 1 erroneous literature entry.

Detailed Mineral List:

ⓘ Acanthite
Formula: Ag2S
ⓘ Annabergite
Formula: Ni3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O
ⓘ Azurite
Formula: Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2
ⓘ Baryte
Formula: BaSO4
ⓘ Bornite
Formula: Cu5FeS4
ⓘ Brochantite
Formula: Cu4(SO4)(OH)6
ⓘ Calcite
Formula: CaCO3
ⓘ Chalcocite
Formula: Cu2S
ⓘ Chalcopyrite
Formula: CuFeS2
✪ Clinosafflorite
Formula: CoAs2
Description: Unusually rich masses for a very rare species.
ⓘ Covellite
Formula: CuS
ⓘ Digenite
Formula: Cu9S5
ⓘ Djurleite
Formula: Cu31S16
ⓘ Dolomite
Formula: CaMg(CO3)2
ⓘ Erythrite
Formula: Co3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O
ⓘ Galena
Formula: PbS
ⓘ Kaolinite
Formula: Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4
ⓘ Marcasite
Formula: FeS2
ⓘ Maucherite
Formula: Ni11As8
✪ Native Silver
Formula: Ag
Habit: Dendritic
Description: Best UK locality for native silver. Occurs as crystalline dendrites up to 30 mm. Contains 12-16 % Hg.
ⓘ Nickeline
Formula: NiAs
ⓘ Picropharmacolite
Formula: Ca4Mg(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 11H2O
ⓘ Pyrite
Formula: FeS2
ⓘ Pyrrhotite
Formula: Fe1-xS
ⓘ Quartz
Formula: SiO2
ⓘ Quartz var. Amethyst
Formula: SiO2
Description: From amygdales in surrounding lavas.
ⓘ Quartz var. Chalcedony
Formula: SiO2
ⓘ Quartz var. Smoky Quartz
Formula: SiO2
ⓘ Rammelsbergite
Formula: NiAs2
ⓘ Safflorite
Formula: (Co,Ni,Fe)As2
Description: Tin-white patches associated with native silver crystals (2 mm) and erythrite in baryte gangue from old mine dump, Silver Glen, Alva, Clackmannanshire. Sample submitted for examination in 1982 by S. Moreton. [Identified by X-ray diffraction and electron-probe microanalysis.] Subsequent analysis has shown this to be Clinosafflorite.
ⓘ Tiemannite
Formula: HgSe
ⓘ Tyrolite
Formula: Ca2Cu9(AsO4)4(CO3)(OH)8 · 11H2O
Description: Blue-green radiating pearly blades forming encrustation on country rock found loose in stream, Silver Glen, Alva, Clackmannanshire. Specimens collected by H. G. Macpherson and B. Jackson 1982. [Identified by X-ray diffraction.]
ⓘ 'UM1988-21-Se:AgBiHg'
Formula: (Ag,Bi,Hg)2Se

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

Group 1 - Elements
ⓘNative Silver1.AA.05Ag
Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts
ⓘMaucherite2.AB.15Ni11As8
ⓘChalcocite2.BA.05Cu2S
ⓘDjurleite2.BA.05Cu31S16
ⓘDigenite2.BA.10Cu9S5
ⓘBornite2.BA.15Cu5FeS4
ⓘAcanthite2.BA.35Ag2S
ⓘCovellite2.CA.05aCuS
ⓘTiemannite2.CB.05aHgSe
ⓘChalcopyrite2.CB.10aCuFeS2
ⓘNickeline2.CC.05NiAs
ⓘPyrrhotite2.CC.10Fe1-xS
ⓘGalena2.CD.10PbS
ⓘPyrite2.EB.05aFeS2
ⓘMarcasite2.EB.10aFeS2
ⓘClinosafflorite2.EB.15aCoAs2
ⓘRammelsbergite2.EB.15aNiAs2
ⓘSafflorite ?2.EB.15a(Co,Ni,Fe)As2
Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides
ⓘQuartz
var. Amethyst		4.DA.05SiO2
ⓘvar. Chalcedony4.DA.05SiO2
ⓘ4.DA.05SiO2
ⓘvar. Smoky Quartz4.DA.05SiO2
Group 5 - Nitrates and Carbonates
ⓘCalcite5.AB.05CaCO3
ⓘDolomite5.AB.10CaMg(CO3)2
ⓘAzurite5.BA.05Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2
Group 7 - Sulphates, Chromates, Molybdates and Tungstates
ⓘBaryte7.AD.35BaSO4
ⓘBrochantite7.BB.25Cu4(SO4)(OH)6
Group 8 - Phosphates, Arsenates and Vanadates
ⓘAnnabergite8.CE.40Ni3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O
ⓘErythrite8.CE.40Co3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O
ⓘPicropharmacolite8.CH.15Ca4Mg(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 11H2O
ⓘTyrolite8.DM.10Ca2Cu9(AsO4)4(CO3)(OH)8 · 11H2O
Group 9 - Silicates
ⓘKaolinite9.ED.05Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4
Unclassified
ⓘ'UM1988-21-Se:AgBiHg'-(Ag,Bi,Hg)2Se

List of minerals for each chemical element

HHydrogen
Hⓘ AnnabergiteNi3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O
Hⓘ AzuriteCu3(CO3)2(OH)2
Hⓘ BrochantiteCu4(SO4)(OH)6
Hⓘ ErythriteCo3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O
Hⓘ KaoliniteAl2(Si2O5)(OH)4
Hⓘ PicropharmacoliteCa4Mg(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 11H2O
Hⓘ TyroliteCa2Cu9(AsO4)4(CO3)(OH)8 · 11H2O
CCarbon
Cⓘ AzuriteCu3(CO3)2(OH)2
Cⓘ CalciteCaCO3
Cⓘ DolomiteCaMg(CO3)2
Cⓘ TyroliteCa2Cu9(AsO4)4(CO3)(OH)8 · 11H2O
OOxygen
Oⓘ Quartz var. AmethystSiO2
Oⓘ AnnabergiteNi3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O
Oⓘ AzuriteCu3(CO3)2(OH)2
Oⓘ BaryteBaSO4
Oⓘ BrochantiteCu4(SO4)(OH)6
Oⓘ CalciteCaCO3
Oⓘ Quartz var. ChalcedonySiO2
Oⓘ DolomiteCaMg(CO3)2
Oⓘ ErythriteCo3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O
Oⓘ KaoliniteAl2(Si2O5)(OH)4
Oⓘ PicropharmacoliteCa4Mg(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 11H2O
Oⓘ QuartzSiO2
Oⓘ Quartz var. Smoky QuartzSiO2
Oⓘ TyroliteCa2Cu9(AsO4)4(CO3)(OH)8 · 11H2O
MgMagnesium
Mgⓘ DolomiteCaMg(CO3)2
Mgⓘ PicropharmacoliteCa4Mg(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 11H2O
AlAluminium
Alⓘ KaoliniteAl2(Si2O5)(OH)4
SiSilicon
Siⓘ Quartz var. AmethystSiO2
Siⓘ Quartz var. ChalcedonySiO2
Siⓘ KaoliniteAl2(Si2O5)(OH)4
Siⓘ QuartzSiO2
Siⓘ Quartz var. Smoky QuartzSiO2
SSulfur
Sⓘ AcanthiteAg2S
Sⓘ BaryteBaSO4
Sⓘ BorniteCu5FeS4
Sⓘ BrochantiteCu4(SO4)(OH)6
Sⓘ ChalcopyriteCuFeS2
Sⓘ ChalcociteCu2S
Sⓘ CovelliteCuS
Sⓘ DigeniteCu9S5
Sⓘ DjurleiteCu31S16
Sⓘ GalenaPbS
Sⓘ MarcasiteFeS2
Sⓘ PyriteFeS2
Sⓘ PyrrhotiteFe1-xS
CaCalcium
Caⓘ CalciteCaCO3
Caⓘ DolomiteCaMg(CO3)2
Caⓘ PicropharmacoliteCa4Mg(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 11H2O
Caⓘ TyroliteCa2Cu9(AsO4)4(CO3)(OH)8 · 11H2O
FeIron
Feⓘ BorniteCu5FeS4
Feⓘ ChalcopyriteCuFeS2
Feⓘ MarcasiteFeS2
Feⓘ PyriteFeS2
Feⓘ PyrrhotiteFe1-xS
Feⓘ Safflorite(Co,Ni,Fe)As2
CoCobalt
Coⓘ ClinosaffloriteCoAs2
Coⓘ ErythriteCo3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O
Coⓘ Safflorite(Co,Ni,Fe)As2
NiNickel
Niⓘ AnnabergiteNi3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O
Niⓘ MaucheriteNi11As8
Niⓘ NickelineNiAs
Niⓘ RammelsbergiteNiAs2
Niⓘ Safflorite(Co,Ni,Fe)As2
CuCopper
Cuⓘ AzuriteCu3(CO3)2(OH)2
Cuⓘ BorniteCu5FeS4
Cuⓘ BrochantiteCu4(SO4)(OH)6
Cuⓘ ChalcopyriteCuFeS2
Cuⓘ ChalcociteCu2S
Cuⓘ CovelliteCuS
Cuⓘ DigeniteCu9S5
Cuⓘ DjurleiteCu31S16
Cuⓘ TyroliteCa2Cu9(AsO4)4(CO3)(OH)8 · 11H2O
AsArsenic
Asⓘ AnnabergiteNi3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O
Asⓘ ClinosaffloriteCoAs2
Asⓘ ErythriteCo3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O
Asⓘ MaucheriteNi11As8
Asⓘ NickelineNiAs
Asⓘ PicropharmacoliteCa4Mg(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 11H2O
Asⓘ RammelsbergiteNiAs2
Asⓘ Safflorite(Co,Ni,Fe)As2
Asⓘ TyroliteCa2Cu9(AsO4)4(CO3)(OH)8 · 11H2O
SeSelenium
Seⓘ TiemanniteHgSe
Seⓘ UM1988-21-Se:AgBiHg(Ag,Bi,Hg)2Se
AgSilver
Agⓘ AcanthiteAg2S
Agⓘ Native SilverAg
Agⓘ UM1988-21-Se:AgBiHg(Ag,Bi,Hg)2Se
BaBarium
Baⓘ BaryteBaSO4
HgMercury
Hgⓘ TiemanniteHgSe
Hgⓘ UM1988-21-Se:AgBiHg(Ag,Bi,Hg)2Se
PbLead
Pbⓘ GalenaPbS
BiBismuth
Biⓘ UM1988-21-Se:AgBiHg(Ag,Bi,Hg)2Se

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

British and Irish IslesGroup of Islands
Eurasian PlateTectonic Plate
EuropeContinent

This page contains all mineral locality references listed on mindat.org. This does not claim to be a complete list. If you know of more minerals from this site, please register so you can add to our database. This locality information is for reference purposes only. You should never attempt to visit any sites listed in mindat.org without first ensuring that you have the permission of the land and/or mineral rights holders for access and that you are aware of all safety precautions necessary.

References

Livingstone, A., Macpherson, H. G. (1983) Fifth supplementary list of British minerals (Scottish) Mineralogical Magazine, 47 (342) 99-105 doi:10.1180/minmag.1983.047.342.23
Moreton, Stephen (1996) The Alva Silver Mine, Silver Glen, Alva, Scotland. The Mineralogical Record, 27 (6) 405-414
Moreton, S., Aspen, P., Green, D.I., Ingram, S.M. (1998) The Silver and Cobalt Mineralisation near Alva, Central Region, Scotland. Journal of the Russell Society, 7 (1) 23-30
Moreton, S. (2007) Bonanzas and Jacobites: the story of the Silver Glen, published by NMS Enterprises Ltd., Edinburgh.
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