The island was once home to a thriving slate industry that was a vital economy for the locals, who have fought for six years to see slate production return to the small island.

It is hoped that the resumption of the quarry will bring new jobs, new families, housing and even entice tourists.

During its peak years, Luing slate provided jobs for over 600 people, gave many Scottish roofs a distinctive look, and was exported internationally.

The Isle of Luing Community Trust said preparatory works to reopen the quarry operation have now begun, with hopes that the first slate will be in production by September.

A team of workers is set to arrive on the island in the coming weeks to begin construction of a production shed and access ramps. They will then remove stone from the quarry entrance to open it up for blasting, The Herald reports.

Colin Buchanan, Trust chair, whose great-great-grandfather worked at the island’s quarries, says the revived industry has potential to play a major role in supporting the island’s future.

“We have a niche aim to produce 200 tons of roof slate finished produce per year. It doesn’t sound a lot but it is for a small island. Our hope is it will bring us a revenue which can open new opportunities and which we can build on.

“We are mainly targeting the heritage sector and, in particular, Category A Listed buildings that are in need of roof repairs. Our aim is to have orders in place for buildings of significance right across Scotland.

“We hope that this can help us repopulate the island and bring in young people. Our school has been mothballed to 2029, but we hope we can attract families with children, so it can reopen.”

The reopening has been aided by £2.1 million from the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (via Argyll and Bute Council), Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), and Historic Environment Scotland (HES).

The community-owned project will see profits returned to the island, with hopes it can be used for new buildings and accommodation to house the seven workers required for the quarrying operation. Part of the preparation works will also include training people in the skills required to work with the extracted slate.

The quarry project is being led by Luing Community Trust Trading Company, and has involved working with specialist consultants supporting geology, minerals planning, environment and architecture, and with MAM Contracting Ltd taking on the work to rebuild the slate facility.

Mr Buchanan added: “April marks the start of careful preparation work, with the physical work beginning in autumn 2026, to keep community impact low.

“This sets us up for production from spring 2027, delivering up to seven local jobs, producing slate for Scotland’s heritage buildings.”

Mike Melville, director of MAM, said: “Being selected by Isle of Luing Community Trust to reopen Cullipool Quarry is genuinely one of the most significant contracts MAM has taken on.

“This isn’t just a civil engineering project, it’s about restoring a 60-yearold chapter in Scotland’s built heritage. We’re approaching it with exactly the care it deserves: thorough preparation now, physical works in autumn, and a quarry ready for production in spring 2027. 

“We’re proud to be part of putting authentic West Highland slate back where it belongs – on Scotland’s historic buildings.”