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THE FEAT OF ENGINEERING ONCE ALLOWED PEOPLE TO TAKE A SHORTCUT FROM FIFE TO WEST LOTHIAN. EWAN MOWAT Deputy Trends Editor and ROBERT FAIRNIE 13:54, 01 Jun 2025 An incredible underwater

tunnel near Edinburgh was once a hidden passage allowing individuals to travel beneath the Firth of Forth. In fact, specialists have mentioned that it's so well camouflaged "you

probably wouldn't even know it was there". Nestled in the Bo'ness countryside lies the entrance to an extraordinary engineering accomplishment which once permitted folk to

wander from one bank of the waterway to the other – predating the Forth Road Bridge. Miners hailing from Kinneil and Valleyfield collieries in West Lothian and Fife, respectively, could

converge roughly 1500ft under the sea level – navigating a six-and-a-half-kilometre underwater pathway, long before any motor vehicle or bus could cross the surface waters. This subaqueous

connection was officially opened in 1964 after a gruelling 18-month period of construction, reports Edinburgh Live. Despite the thrill and sense of novelty surrounding the opportunity for

people to travel between the regions by foot, the inspiration behind this endeavour was rooted in practicality. The existing coal treatment facility at Valleyfield, situated west of

Dunfermline, had become antiquated and allegedly unsafe, prompting the need for coal transport to the more contemporary plant at Kinneil. Article continues below To address this dilemma, an

audacious new corridor was devised, enabling direct movement between the two mines. This was particularly sensible given that rejuvenating the Valleyfield site was projected to cost around

£1million, whereas the estimated expense for the novel underwater route stood at about half that sum. Brian Murray dedicated many years to the mining sector and currently volunteers his time

at the National Mining Museum in Newtongrange. Speaking about the passage previously, he said: "You have to remember there were already tunnels at both Valleyfield and Kinneil. This

was just about connecting them – which was still a massive challenge. "I do remember there being quite a bit of talk between the miners at the time about walking under the Forth. But

there are a number of mining tunnels in the area with interesting stories people might not know about – including one at Inveresk Hill." Coal production started at Valleyfield in 1908,

whereas Kinneil saw it begin in 1955. Not long afterwards, in the early 1960s, the decision was made to connect these two sites. Engineering expert Alistair Moore was charged with overseeing

this ambitious venture. Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland in 2017, he recollected, noting that as a 31-year-old, he "was "just a wee laddie" when he embarked on the leadership

of the project. The schematics for this connection were incredibly bold, as evidenced when excavation and tunnelling began. With the requirement for the northern and southern tunnels to

align precisely, both horizontally and vertically for the transport of carts, the challenge was evident. Selecting the optimal spots for the tunnel paths was crucial, ensuring they provided

adequate ventilation whilst also conforming to stringent safety requirements. Once the blueprints were ready, it was all about gathering the necessary materials and workforce to embark on

such an endeavour. A total of 27 men dedicated themselves to the project for a year and a half until the initial connection was established in 1962. This milestone occurred when a tunnel

from the Lochgelly Splint Seam at Valleyfield reached the Seaward Mine from Kinneil, with the walking distance between the two points being approximately six-and-a-half kilometres.

Subsequently, a second link was forged in August 1966, followed by a third two years later. Additional minor links were also created within the mines to facilitate worker movement and to

boost coal transport to the south for processing. Ultimately, the journey miners had to make spanned roughly two-and-a-half miles from one end of the mine to the other. The Linlithgowshire

Journal and Gazette, on Friday, May 8, 1964, heralded the day the connection would be officially opened, proclaiming that "Scottish mining history had been made". They reported

that David Archibald, manager at Kinneil Colliery, and Norman Wallace, manager at Valleyfield, clasped hands to complete the link, with Mr Archibald humorously remarking: "I hope you

have plenty of coal for me." As the two managers exchanged pleasantries, Bo'ness Provost Robert Ross was the first to head into the tunnel, expressing he was "excited and

thrilled" at the privilege. A select group commenced their journey from Kinneil, etching themselves in history as the inaugural party to traverse beneath the Forth to Valleyfield. The

report underlined that this connection promised the "preservation of two mining communities" at a time when Kinneil faced an uncertain future due to flooding and geological issues.

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community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Despite the success of the tunnel for over ten

years, the forecast for its long-term impact did not materialise, with Valleyfield ceasing operations in 1978. With the decline of the mining industry, Kinneil followed suit shortly after,

and by the early 1980s, the tunnel was no longer in existence. Assistant curator David Bell from the National Mining Museum revealed that almost no remnants of the collieries or the

remarkable subaqueous passageway survive today. Article continues below He said: "You probably wouldn't even know it was there now. It may have collapsed under the pressure of

gravity – it could be waterlogged. It closed in 1982 and that was it, it's obviously not been maintained. "But it was a very successful project – and quite the feat of engineering

to ensure that the tunnels met up."