Mining has scarred the landscape, and given lots of interest and bright colour to it too. Just beware of sudden drops into old mine shafts. Here the Society is seen scrambling over Tarbrax shale oil bing and considering the impact of mining on Muirkirk.

Amongst the earliest of Eric’s photos are some rare shots of the Pumpherston oil works in 1958 towards the end of the Paraffin oil industry that made West Lothian’s name.