Ballachulish brings together the history of slate quarrying and the Ballachulish Trail, which offers views of the village, the Morvern Hills and the islands in Loch Leven. There are also traces of the quarry and experiences centred on gin and rum. This gives you several different priorities to consider when choosing a stay: local history, scenery, or a guided tasting or distilling experience. Think about which of these interests you most.

Slate history on site

The slate quarries at East and West Laroch in Ballachulish were in operation from around 1693 to 1955. Terraced workings and an inclined plane built from slate rubble can be seen on the site. The larger quarry is partially flooded. Together, the extensive workings and the engineering structure point to different aspects of slate quarrying: the site itself and the infrastructure associated with its use.

At the eastern end of the village stands the Slate Arch. Originally, two arches spanned the old road there and carried quarry railways or inclines. A pleasant path leads from the quarry gate to the Slate Arch, where there is an information board. This connects the historic structure with a specific stop, while the terraced workings offer a different perspective on the quarry’s heritage.

Trail through the old quarry

The Ballachulish Trail passes through the old slate quarry and follows the signposted Brecklet Path towards the upper quarry area. From the trail, there are views over the village, of the Morvern Hills and of the islands in Loch Leven. The route and its views offer a different way to explore the area from looking at individual structures such as the Slate Arch. Check the route locally before setting off.

Gin and rum at Pixel Spirits

Pixel Spirits produces small-batch gins and rums in North Ballachulish, inspired by the wild beauty of the West Highlands. Visitors can choose from different experiences. A 1.5-hour gin tasting and distillery tour includes samples of three different gins with selected mixers and garnishes. The Pixel Spirits Gin & Rum School offers guided gin and rum distilling: visitors make their own drink from more than 100 botanicals, from the distilling process to a wax-sealed bottle. Confirm the tour details before booking and the School details before travelling, as experience details may change.

Weighing up what to focus on during your stay

The experiences differ in format: the trail passes through the slate quarry and offers scenic views; the Slate Arch is a single structure with an information board; and at Pixel Spirits, the focus is on tasting or guided distilling. If you are interested in industrial history, you can focus on the traces in the landscape and the structures. If you would rather explore gin and rum, Pixel Spirits offers two different formats. The tour is scheduled to last 1.5 hours; the School focuses on distilling your own drink. This lets you decide in advance which topics will take up the most time during your stay.

Discover more destinations: Staffin, Kentallen, Duntulm, Torridon, Inverness, Duror, Halkirk, Foyers.

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