Girlsta Lime Kiln

Shetlopedia - The Shetland Encyclopaedia

Girlsta Lime Kiln is located in Girlsta at the head of Wadbister Voe, South Nesting. The large kiln was built by the Lerwick based merchants Hay & Company in 1872 to burn limestone in large quantities from the adjacent quarry. The kiln and the quarry provided work for many years for many men from the area. The lime that was produced was both used as fertliser, and for the building projects that was going on in Lerwick in the last part of the 19th century. It was shipped out from the pier below.
The constrution of the kiln is square, it tapers slightly upwards, and is strengthed by iron rods near the top. The back is set against the hillside. In the front is an arched opening that gave acsess to the furnace. Inside the kiln was lined with brick.
Peat and coal in vast quantitis was used to fuel the massive kiln, it was capable to burn 70 tons of limestone at a time, using 14 tons of coal and 10 tons of peat for fuel.
The limeworks was in use until the 1930's. Now (in 2008), it is in a dangeous state, warning signs has been put up, but Shetland Amenity Trust is working on plans to secure and preserve both the kiln and the quarry as a place of historic interest. (See link below).

Further Reading

Girlsta Lime Kiln on the Sustainable Scotland website

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