Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey 2023

12. Former Surface Coal Mines

A number of opencast coal mining sites were affected by the liquidation of Scottish Coal and ATH Resources in 2013 across sites in East Ayrshire, Fife and South Lanarkshire. Sites in East Ayrshire were affected by a shortfall in restoration bonds that meant the level of financial guarantees fell short of the amount of money required to return all the land to its original condition.

In 2015, East Ayrshire Council identified 2,217 hectares of former surface coal mines in East Ayrshire that were considered to be derelict. The council has reviewed the sites each year, reducing site sizes to reflect any areas of naturalisation. The total area of these former surface coal mines is now 557 hectares, a reduction of 73% since the initial listing.