Preston Island
Artificial island in Fife, Scotland
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Preston Island is a former artificial island in the Firth of Forth, Scotland. The reclaimed land was once used for salt production, using local coal. It is part of Fife.
| Location | |
|---|---|
  Preston Island Location within Scotland | |
| OS grid reference | NT004856 |
| Coordinates | 56.053°N 3.600°W |
| Name | |
| Name meaning | named after Sir Robert Preston |
| Physical geography | |
| Island group | Islands of the Forth |
Highest elevation | <10 m |
| Administration | |
| Council area | Fife |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
History
Preston Island, south of Low Valleyfield in the Firth of Forth, was reclaimed by Sir Robert Preston, 6th Baronet in the early 19th century.[1] A sea wall was constructed, followed by buildings and a coal mine, producing coal for the production of salt in saltpans on the island.[2][3]
Two further coal shafts were in development when a fatal firedamp explosion occurred in 1811, after which the mine was closed.[2][4]
Salt production continued for some decades, under lease from Preston.[3] The buildings later housed an illicit distillery.[1] Several well-maintained ruins remain.
The 'island' is no longer surrounded by water, following further land reclamation, using ash from the nearby Longannet power station.[2]
