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Abandoned
Slate Workers Cottages On Belnahua |
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-- Where is it ? --
The island of Belnahua is located in the Firth of Lorn, east of
the Garvellachs and 1 mile (1½ km) north west of Luing.
Famous for its slate, the only remains of this industry are the
slate workers cottages and the quarry cuttings.
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-- History --
Belnahua
is one of the "Slate Islands" which were at the heart
of the Scottish slate industry. Along with neighbouring islands
of Luing, Seil and Easdale the slate quarried was used all over
Scotland and there will hardly be a town anywhere which doesn't
have at least one roof of Slate Islands produce !!
Belnahua
is by far the smallest of the main slate islands but despite it's
tiny size it supported a population of well over 100 workers at
it's peak. Nowadays all that remains are crumbling ruins of workers
cottages and machinery rusting in the salty sea air.
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-- Books --
Books
listed are available from Amazon.
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The
Islands That Roofed the World: Easdale, Seil, Luing
and Belnahua - Mary Withall
This
text contains a comprehensive history of the slate
industry in the west of Scotland, complete with a
detailed and vivid account of the communities on the
Atlantic bound islands of Easdale, Seil, Luing and
Belnahua. The author is the Easdale Island Folk Museum
archivist.
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-- DVD's & Videos --
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The
Slate Islands & Loch Fyne
The
Slate Islands lie some 24 miles southwest of Oban. Separated
from the mainland by the narrow Sound of Seil and accessed
over the Clachan Bridge (the Bridge over the Atlantic),
lies Seil Island. The film also visits Easdale, Luing and
Belnahua. The history of the area and its people is covered
in detail with special reference to the once flourishing
slate industry. Video also includes a history of the Loch
Fyne area.
The
video is available here.
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--
Links --
Slate
Islands Heritage Trust - Trust was formed
back in 1999 to advance the education of the public on matters
regarding the life and times of the people within the islands.
Seafari
Trips - Seafari run several trips out of Easdale including
one which has a two hour stop on Belnahua. Their official site
has all the details of costs and timetables.
Easdale
Island Trust - If planning a trip to Belnhaua then you'll
almost certainly take time to visit Easdale as well. This is the
islands trust web site which is full of current news and plenty
of history.
Sea
Kayakers Picture Gallery - Pictures of the area around the
slate islands courtesy of some paddlers from Glasgow University.
Included are a couple of excellent shots of Belnahua.
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