Bradda Head Nature Trail - Information Point Number 9

Information Point Number 9

After the bridge the path leads out on to open brooghs - pronounced 'Brews' - grass slopes here overlooking the sea. 

Among the native plants: Tor Grass, Wood Sage, etc., are the smaller Spring Squill, English Stonecrop and Early Hair Grass. Look out for the difference between the native, low-growing Manx Gorse and the larger ‘European’ Gorse introduced for firing and as fodder, particularly for farm horses. 

As you approach the small cave on the right of the path, notice how the small plantains have become established along the path sides on the more compacted ground. 

By the cave, you will find Wall Pennywort, Primroses and Bush Veronica (Hebe)

Here, look up at Milner’s Tower. Low on your left, you can just see the chimney stack of one of the mine workings on the cliff. These are on one end of the Bradda Lode, a vein of quartz with associated copper and lead.

Bradda Head Mines

Sir W.W. Smyth referred to the Bradda Lode as ‘the noblest surface exhibition of a mineral vein to be seen in Europe’. The lode is conspicuous in both faces of the Head. On the south side it is ‘a nearly vertical rib of white quartz and fault breccia’ 30 - 50 feet wide. It re-appears on the other coast, opposite Creg Harlot.

The Bradda Head Mines are probably the most ancient in the Island, the copper working having been started in prehistory. The South Bradda lead mine dates back at least to 1710 and the North Bradda mine to 1860. The mine used to open by adits on the cliff face and the miners’ pathways down to these adits can tempt the unwary to climb down, often with disastrous results. Exploration should never be undertaken without the proper equipment and permission sought from the authorities.

The Milner Tower

On Bradda Head stands the Milner Tower - a familiar sight to all those who know Port Erin.

William Milner, the famous Liverpool manufacturer of safes lived for many years in Port Erin. The Tower is built of local slatey schist and is reputed to be in the same shape as the key to Milner’s first safe. It was erected in 1871 by public subscription and dedicated to William Milner in grateful acknowledgement of his many charities to the poor of Port Erin and his never tiring efforts for the benefit of the poor fishermen. Milner’s Tower is now a “registered” building.

Now go to Information Point Number 10 (Approximately 305 paces)