23 May 2025

Scottish Slate Production Restarts After 60-Year Hiatus

For the first time since the early 1960s, Scottish slate is set to return to the market.

The Isle of Luing Community Trust has secured £1.75 million from the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) to reopen the Cullipool quarry on Luing, Argyll & Bute.

This is an important development for Scotland because it will assist with authentic conservation efforts for Scotland’s heritage stock, aid with Scotland’s supply chain resilience, and create more jobs.

Project details

Funding source: RCGF 2025-26 allocation.
Grant amount: £1.747 million.
Operator: Isle of Luing Community Trust.
Output: Roofing-grade slate for conservation and new-build work; production volumes to be confirmed after commissioning.

Next steps for NFRC contractors

A technical briefing on the Luing project will be given by Graham Briggs (Historic Environment Scotland) at the NFRC Scotland Regions Members’ Day, Hamilton Park Racecourse, 28 May.

The Luing scheme is one of 24 projects sharing £21.5 million from the RCGF and the Vacant & Derelict Land Investment Programme. Other awards target housing, community facilities and museum space. Luing is the only construction-materials venture and helps to address the long-standing gap in Scottish slate supply.

Contractors needing genuine Scottish slate should monitor the Luing rollout timetable and prepare to update material schedules accordingly.

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