My first report - hope it goes well! Spotted this place from the top of the cliffs while looking at waterfalls!
Quite a steep walk down to the factory, very narrow path, very dry and dusty. Could be a bit risky with poor footwear. Couple of places where a walking pole (Or Tripod in my case) is useful. The site is split into two parts with a stream running through, easily crossable when I was there due to lack of rain! I didnt find any evidence of the railway, only winding mech for the gondola system used to haul stuff up and down the cliffs.
The Lealt Valley Diatomite Railway was a 2 ft (610 mm) narrow gauge tramway which ran parallel with the River Lealt. Work started on the tramway in March 1889. At the grand opening the line was worked by gravity, the line being on a falling gradient, and manpower. Later, the line acquired the use of a steam locomotive.
The west end of the line was at Loch Cuithir, where diatomite was extracted. Known locally as Cailc (Scottish Gaelic for chalk) it was put out to dry on wire nets. The seaward terminus had warehouses on the clifftop at Invertote. At the base of the cliff was a factory where the diatomite was kiln dried, ground and calcined. The line was extended from the factory onto a pier into the Sound of Raasay. Diatomite was also extracted from Loch Valerain and transported by aerial ropeway to Staffin Bay. During its existence, the Skye Diatomite Company extracted 2000 tons of diatomite.
From Invertote, the diatomite was transferred by skiff, onto puffer boats, waiting in the bay, and shipped across to the mainland. The diatomite was converted into kieselguhr which was mixed with nitroglycerine by Nobel Industries, at Ardeer, to make dynamite.
Looking down from the Invertote viewing area you will see the remains of some of these industrial buildings. It is now quite strange to imagine this now quiet area was once a bustling industrial hub.
Quite a steep walk down to the factory, very narrow path, very dry and dusty. Could be a bit risky with poor footwear. Couple of places where a walking pole (Or Tripod in my case) is useful. The site is split into two parts with a stream running through, easily crossable when I was there due to lack of rain! I didnt find any evidence of the railway, only winding mech for the gondola system used to haul stuff up and down the cliffs.
The Lealt Valley Diatomite Railway was a 2 ft (610 mm) narrow gauge tramway which ran parallel with the River Lealt. Work started on the tramway in March 1889. At the grand opening the line was worked by gravity, the line being on a falling gradient, and manpower. Later, the line acquired the use of a steam locomotive.
The west end of the line was at Loch Cuithir, where diatomite was extracted. Known locally as Cailc (Scottish Gaelic for chalk) it was put out to dry on wire nets. The seaward terminus had warehouses on the clifftop at Invertote. At the base of the cliff was a factory where the diatomite was kiln dried, ground and calcined. The line was extended from the factory onto a pier into the Sound of Raasay. Diatomite was also extracted from Loch Valerain and transported by aerial ropeway to Staffin Bay. During its existence, the Skye Diatomite Company extracted 2000 tons of diatomite.
From Invertote, the diatomite was transferred by skiff, onto puffer boats, waiting in the bay, and shipped across to the mainland. The diatomite was converted into kieselguhr which was mixed with nitroglycerine by Nobel Industries, at Ardeer, to make dynamite.
Looking down from the Invertote viewing area you will see the remains of some of these industrial buildings. It is now quite strange to imagine this now quiet area was once a bustling industrial hub.
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