Published Date: Oct 9th, 2025
Visitors to Lochore Meadows Country Park will soon be able to explore a new heritage display celebrating the area's proud coal mining past.
As part of the Save the Cage project, a collection of historic mining artefacts will be installed beside the iconic Mary Pit Wheel. The display will honour generations of miners and their families who helped shape the local community and will offer a space for education, reflection, and remembrance.
The exhibition includes items loaned by the National Mining Museum Scotland, such as a miner’s cage, man-riding bogies, roof supports, and coal-cutting machinery. These artefacts tell the story of a miner’s journey from the pithead to the coal face and will be placed next to the Mary Pit Wheel – a powerful symbol of the area's industrial heritage.
The project has been developed in partnership with local heritage groups, community organisations, and Fife Council, following strong public support for preserving the region’s mining history.
Cllr Alex Campbell, Convenor of the Cowdenbeath Area Committee, said:"This is a fantastic way to honour the legacy of our mining communities and ensure their stories are not forgotten. Mining shaped the lives of so many families in this area, and it's important that younger generations understand the sacrifices and strength of those who came before them. The new display at Lochore Meadows will be a place where people can learn, remember, and feel proud of the resilience and spirit that defined this area. I’m delighted to see this project come to life and I know it will mean a great deal to many local people.
"On behalf of all members in the Cowdenbeath area committee , we would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Save the Cage group. Their unwavering focus and determination over many years have helped turn this vision into a lasting legacy for the mining communities of Fife and beyond. Their commitment to preserving local heritage is truly inspiring, and this display stands as a tribute to their hard work and the enduring spirit of our community.”
Iain Chalmers, Chair of the Save the Cage group, said:
"This project has been a real labour of love over the past seven years. It all started with a simple idea to save a miner’s cage from being lost, and it’s grown into something that will help preserve the memory of our mining heritage for future generations. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together with the community and our partners. Seeing these artefacts finally find a home beside the Mary Pit Wheel is a very special moment."
Ray Lafferty, Curator of the National Mining Museum Scotland, added:"We’re delighted to be working with Save the Cage and Fife Council to help keep alive the stories, voices, and spirit of Fife’s mining past.
"As part of this partnership, we’ve loaned twelve special objects from our Recognised Collection of National Significance—each one with its own link to the lives of miners, their families, and the communities that grew around the pits. For us, this isn’t just about sharing museum pieces. It’s about remembering what the industry meant to people here—the hard work, the courage, and the sense of togetherness that shaped so many towns and villages across Fife.
"We hope that by bringing these stories back into local hands, they’ll continue to inspire pride, reflection, and connection for years to come"
The display is expected to be completed by mid-November, with an official opening planned to mark the occasion. The opening will also mark the return of the much-loved historic train to Lochore Meadows – a familiar sight for generations of visitors and a cherished part of the park’s heritage.
