Ochre is a mixture of fine clay and iron oxide, and chemically it is known as anhydrous iron (III) oxide. At Wick Golden Valley red ochre was mined, but in other parts of the world yellow ochre can be found. In fact, the name 'ochre' (pronounced OAK-ur) is derived from the Greek 'ochros', which translates as 'yellow'.

Mining by candlelight in the Ochre Works in 1904

The red ochre was formed by mineral rich waters perculating through seams and cracks in the bedrock. Ochre pigments are natural and non-toxic, and can be used to make fine colours (such as Venetian Turkey and Indian Reds) and also paints. In particular they make good oil paints that dry quickly and cover surfaces thoroughly. Ochre can also be used in the manufacture of varnishes, Fullers Earth and as a filler in various processes including the manufacture of brown paper.

A drawing of the Ochre Works circa 1904

Red ochre was extracted from shallow trenches and mines at Rock Road and was conveyed to the winding shed above the Ochre Works by ponies pulling drams along rails. It was then carried down to the Ochre Works by gravity.

A dram being lowered from the winding shed

Ochre was later imported from Spain and the Persian Gulf for processing, mainly because it was of a higher quality than the remaining ochre reserves at Wick. During this time, the Wick Golden Valley Ochre Works was at the forefront of technology with regards to the extraction and processing of ochre from the raw material, which is a large part of the reason why the plant lasted until the 1970s.

A traction engine at work, circa 1904

The weir at Wick Golden Valley was built to provide power for an iron rolling mill, creating a lake behind the wier. The mill was adapted in 1892 to power the processing of red ochre and at its peak 200 people were employed. In 1968, after severe flooding, the weir was lowered. Production ceased in 1970 and the works were demolished. The concrete floor of the old Ochre Works can still be made out as you walk alongside the River Boyd, although it is now covered by young trees and a mosaic of grasses and flowers. Today, the last remaining ochre mine in Britain is Clearwell Caves, situated in the Forest of Dean.

The Ochre Works from the far side of the Weir, 1951

The use of ochre can be traced back to ancient times, with records of primitive use by Homo heidelbergensis as long ago as 300,000 BC! It is one of the earliest pigments known to have been used by man. The earliest known mine in the world, the Lion Cave in Africa, is a 43,000 year old ochre mine.

The Winding Shed today

Ochre mining is also evident as far away as Tasmania, where more than ten thousand years ago, Tasmanian Aboriginies extracted ochre from caves around the island. The ochre was used for painting and personal ornamentation. Ochre mining was a specialized skill with ceremonial significance, and archaeologists (who have determined that the first people migrated to Tasmania over 20,000 years ago) also believe that it was an important part of their spiritual life.

The Weir today