The Scots mining company, which owned many of the mines around Leadhills, near Biggar, in southeast Scotland, erected this bell in 1770 to commemorate James Stirling, who managed the mines and brought about great technical and organizational improvements to the benefit of both the company and the miners. Amongst these changes were the cut in the compulsory working day for miners from 12 hours to 6 hours. With the additional leisure time he encouraged the miners to grow vegetables in their...
