Tom Williams talks about lead mining in 17thc Scotland – I’m glad I was a child in the latter part of the 20thc!!
I haven’t visited Leadhills (on my to do list) – not least to see where the first subscription library in Britain was situated, but I have been to New Lanark – and was totally impressed by the social conscience of Robert Owen, (or a recognition that when folk are properly housed their health will be improved and thus their work capability.) Whatever his motivation (probably a bit of both) the result for the workers was positive.
(And I’ve just had an idea for a plot point for the sequel to Turn of the Tide…)