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Carmel Head
 Carmel Head (Welsh: Trwyn y Gadair)[1] is a prominent coastal headland on the northwest tip of the island of Anglesey. It is a designated SSSI because of its geological interest for the Carmel Head Thrust fault where Precambrian rocks have been pushed over younger Ordovician rocks creating the Carmel Head thrust. Rock exposures along the cliffs of Carmel Head include Precambrian gneisses, which are almost certainly the oldest rocks in Wales.[2] In the summer months the Anglesey Coastal Path passes over Carmel Head on a permissive path but in winter the path is closed to all for pheasant shooting.[3] Most of the land on the head, which peaks at 81 metres above sea level, is owned and managed by the National Trust.[4] Shipping and navigationOff-shore from the head lie the islands of the Skerries and to the east of the Skerries three further islands, West Mouse, Middle Mouse and East Mouse. On West Mouse is a large white-painted column which is matched on Carmel Head by two further columns, known locally as the "Three White Ladies". They were constructed in the 1860s as navigation aids: lining up the three columns marks the position of a shallow reef offshore that was a grave danger to shipping.[5] Ships that ran into problems at Carmel's Head include :
Copper mineA copper mine, known as the Great Carmel's Points copper mine and also as the Gadair Mine, was sited here in the early 19th century. The copper ore vein found here was hoped to be an extension of the copper found at Parys Mountain. Work on the mine was suspended in the mid-19th century but resumed again c. 1866. Although only about 170 feet deep, levels were driven over 1500 feet following a vein some 30 feet wide, six vertical shafts connected the mining levels with the surface.[7] However, the mine never discovered the quantities of ore hoped for and was abandoned around 1880. The mine equipment was sold in 1883, and included a 30-HP beam engine with flywheel and pumping and winding gear, as well as the boiler to power it.[8] There are ruins of the copper mine and offices still in existence, including a well-preserved chimney stack. References
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