A free two-day slate building course is due to take place later this month in the Highlands.

The workshop is part of a wider £277,000 project to conserve and interpret the historic Ballachulish slate arch.

The course is open to anyone with an interest in using slate to build features such as dykes, cairns, plinths and seating.

Last year, a similar course was held in December as part of the same project.

The programme will focus on hands-on training, including helping to build a new stone plinth which will form part of a new interpretation at the East Quarry in Ballachulish.


Council project officer, Claire Bell, said: "The course is being organised to give people the chance to learn new slate building skills. It is being led by professional instructors from the Scottish Traditional Skills Training Centre but we would also like to encourage local people with experience in working with slate to come along and share their skills.

"Participants in the first two-day course held last December said they enjoyed the experience despite some terrible weather. We are hoping for another two enjoyable and productive days from the event this month – and hopefully better weather too."

The new workshop will run on the 24 and 25 March.

Both the slate arch project and course are funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

(LM)