A free two-day course in traditional slate building techniques is being offered at Ballachulish, in Lochaber, later this month.
Anyone with a personal or professional interest in using slate to build features, such as dykes, cairns, plinths and seating, has been invited to attend the workshop that forms part of a wider £277,000 project to conserve and interpret the historic Ballachulish slate arch.
The latter – also known as the Tom Beag Inclined Plan – can be seen from the A82 Fort William to Glasgow road.
It dates back to the 19th century when it was built to transport wagons of slate from the quarry down to piers on the loch-side and to transport empty wagons back up to the quarry.
The slate building course, which will run on Thursday, March 24 and Friday, March 25, will focus on hands-on training, including helping to build a new stone plinth that will be part of a new information presentation at the East Quarry in Ballachulish.
All tools and protective clothing will be provided, but places are limited and must be booked in advance by contacting Helen Smith on 07910 524037 or at helen@rowan-tree-consulting.co.uk
