History
Bronze Age
Burial Tumulus
Discovered in late 1800s, the Calais Muir tumulus (cairn/barrow) is described as a c.4,000 year old mound of earth (barrow/cairn/tumulus). When surveyed in 1896, it measured 40ft in diameter and 4ft in height (although experts suggest it would have originally been taller). During the excavation of the site food vessels were discovered. More detail can be found in this online publication (1).
Minerals
Limestone Quarries and Limekiln
The Lime quarries around Calais Woods date back to the 18th century, however surveys dating back to 1407 & 1466 which highlight that coal was 'found at the pick point' in the area of 'Dhuloch and Prathouse'. (2)
A seam of Limestone was discovered in the area and a quarry established, running between the Woods and what is now Sandpiper Drive. A limekiln was built to burn the limestone along with coal to make quicklime. This quicklime would have been used to dress the local fields which were known to be acidic peaty bogland, this would have raised the PH level to be more neutral, making farming more productive in the local area.
Railway
Halbeath Waggonway
An early railway (waggonway) was established in 1781 to take coal from Halbeath Colliery to the harbour at Inverkeithing. It ran down the eastern boundary path of Calais Woods. Coal was exported from the harbour, and lower grade coal was used in Saltpans. Various additions were made to the line over the years, including a small branch to the nearby Lime quarry. Towards the end of operation, traffic had dropped with coal shifting to the new railways created through Dunfermline. It eventually closed in 1871. (2)
References
1. Beveridge, H. (1886). Notice of Two Cemeteries, containing Cists and Urns, on the Estate of Pitreavie, near Dunfermline. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 20, 240–252. https://doi.org/10.9750/PSAS.020.240.252
2. Brotchie, Alan W. (2007). Early railways of West Fife: an industrial and social commentary.
3. Ordnance Survey. (1856). Fife OS six-inch to the mile, Scotland 1843-1882. [Online] Available here
​
​