From the BGS files
...... Diatomite from the deposit at Loch Cuithir, Trotternish peninsula
on Skye, Invernessshire.
Description: Specimen of diatomite from the deposit at Loch
Cuithir, one of five locations on the Trotternish peninsula on Skye where
diatomite can be found. British Geological Survey Petrology
Collection sample number MC 7494. The Loch Cuithir deposit occupied a hollow
near the base of the lava escarpment and about three miles from the
nearest point on the Portree-Staffin road. It was estimated to cover an area
of about 24 acres, borings put down at the south-west end of the loch showed
at least 14 feet 4 inches of diatomite immediately underlying a cover
of peat with an average thickness of three feet. The diatomite was described
as remarkably pure and free from impurities. Between the years 1899-1902
some 900 tons of diatomite were produced from Loch Cuithir. The diatomite
was transported by tramway operated by manual labour or horses to the
hillside above Invertote at the mouth of the Lealt River, and the loaded
trams were lowered to the point of shipment by a winch. Drying ovens were
erected at the loch side and grinding machinery and calcining sheds were
set up at Invertote....................
Date taken: 25/06/1905
Roy Wares
-----Original Message-----
From: mining-history [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of M J
Shaw
Sent: August-25-14 12:48 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Skye
There was an aerial ropeway from Loch Valerian to transport diatomite to
Staffin Bay in the north of Skye, is anyone able to tell me where on the bay
it terminated or how long it was in use. I understand that it was
constructed in or around 1930.
All the best
Mike Shaw
If you need to leave the list, send the following message to
[log in to unmask] -
leave mining-history
---------
If you need to leave the list, send the following message to [log in to unmask] -
leave mining-history
---------
|