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This is a record of a brief visit to the defunct Prince Edward goldmine at Bwlch Llu, Trawsfynydd. The goldmine is part of the Meirionnydd gold belt, Gwynfynydd which is about 6 miles south being the most famous. Prince Edward mine was originally known as Moel y Croesau (Hill of Crosses) named after the nearby hill of the same name. The mine started operating circa 1895 and worked on and off until 1935. The highest output was recorded between 1911 - 1912, with 123 tons of gold ore yielding 278 ounces of gold. Princess Marina's wedding ring was made partly from gold from here and the gold in the regalia of the Prince of Wales' investiture in 1911 also came from here. More recently, Princess Sophie's (Rhys-Jones)wedding ring was produced from Moel y Croesau gold.
Because of its remoteness the workmen stayed in the barracks during the week, returning to their families at the weekend. The magazine or powder house is where the explosives were kept, well away from the mine and barracks and with a well constructed "blast wall" surrounding its lower elevation.