Argyll’s infamous 1752 murder case – known as the Appin Murder Continue reading
Tag Archives: Ballachulish
Islay Slate Company: setting pace and style
Only a year old, steady on its feet and running away with enterprising initiatives, the Islay Slate Company Continue reading
Connell Bridge closed 01.00am – 06.00am, diversions in place
The Connell Bridge over Loch Etive, linking much of Argyll to Fortwilliam and Glencoe will close during the night from 01.00am to 06.00am on each of the the nights of Monday 8th, Tuesday 9th and Wednesday 10th September. The closure covers pedestrians and all except emergency vehicles – which will be given escorted passage.
During the periods when the bridge is closed, diversion routes will be in place.
- From Oban, Northbound Connel Bridge traffic should follow the A85(E) to Tyndrum and the A82(N) to Ballachulish, then North on the A82 for Fort William or South on the A828 for Connel Bridge.
- From Crianlarich, Northbound Connel Bridge Traffic should follow the A82(N) to Tyndrum and Ballachulish and then North on the A82 for Fort William or South on the A828 for Connel Bridge.
- From Fort William and Ballachulish, Southbound Connel Bridge traffic should follow the A82(S) to Tyndrum, taking the A85(W) for Connel Bridge and Oban or the A82(S) for Crianlarich.
Windsurfer rescued at Loch Leven
A windsurfer who had fallen off his board and got separated from it has been rescued by Clyde Coastguards in Loch Leven, west of Ballachulish. The Glensanda Quarry boat, MV Lady Fiona, assisted in the search launched by an onlooker who spotted him struggling in the water. The man had no injuries but was suffering from hypothermia and has been airlifted to Belford Hospital at Fort Willam.
Ballachulish Slate Quarries may reopen
A pressing need for traditional materials to re-slate thousands of houses in Edinburgh, Glasgow and elsewhere has led to Historic Scotland commissioning a study on reopening Argyll’s Ballachulish slate quarries. The report into the viability of resuming the slate mining will be published shortly. In 1955 The Glasgow Herald reported, because of ‘continuous losses’, the then 250 year-old quarries were to be closed temporarily’ and the last 23 workers laid off. It’s been a long lay-off. Commercial interests, recognising the imminent need over the next decade for the re-roofing of areas such as Edinburgh’s New Town, are urging the reopening. Graeme Millar, of long-established Peebles family firm, Bain and Irvine, said ‘I think there are 8,000 – 9,000 roofs in Edinburgh alone that need re-slating in the next ten years. The figure for all of Scotland is going to be, well, it’s going to be high’.