Newcraighall Mining Sculpture
For over six centuries, colliers and their families in Newcraighall and Niddrie suffered abject poverty, exploitation and social injustice, working in appalling conditions in the area’s extensive coal mines.
In 1842, the Children’s Employment Commission, a national inquiry into child labour practices, investigated the conditions of children working in these mines.
A 10-year-old Niddrie girl, Agnes Moffat, who is depicted on this sculpture by artist Jake Harvey RSA, was one of many child coal-bearers who gave evidence to the inquiry.
After publication of their harrowing testimonies, a bill was passed which prohibited women, girls and children under ten from working down the pits ever again.
In 1989, the community of Newcraighall unveiled this sculpture commemorating their mining heritage and the role Agnes and many other brave miners played in furthering workers’ rights in Scotland.
