Maughold Head Haematite Veins

A small but important group of HAEMATITE-dominated veins near Maughold Head on the NE coast. These are the IoM equivalents of the famous Cumbrian haematite deposits across the Irish Sea in the Lake District. Haematite (iron oxide, Fe2O3) was mined historically from Manx Group wall rocks. Siderite (iron carbonate) is unusually common here — scarce in the related Cumbrian deposits, making the Maughold occurrences mineralogically interesting. WHY COLLECT HERE: The cliff exposures show beautiful red-brown haematite veins cutting through the grey Manx slates. Fallen cliff blocks on the foreshore often contain fresh vein material. The haematite itself can be botryoidal (kidney ore — smooth, rounded surfaces) or specular (sparkly, micaceous). Siderite appears as brown-yellow crystals. SAFETY: Cliff access requires care — stick to established paths and check tides for foreshore access.