Rock solid success for first slate island festival

Guided talks and walks took in Luing’s unique boat graffiti carved on the walls of the old parish church more than 600 years ago as well as a visit to hill forts and hut circles and  to the deserted settlement on Ballachuan where 600 people once lived - the whole island now has just under 170 residents.

Looking to the future, there were also walks to the quarry in Cullipool where there are exciting plans to re-generate the slate industry on a small-scale, visitors also got the chance to find out how the community plans to tackle erosion along the beach.

Craftsman Michael Fothergill was at the Atlantic Islands Centre on Saturday demonstrating how roofing slates were made the traditional way and visitors were invited onboard the Golden Eye to see Luing from the sea.

Cullipool and Toberonochy Village Halls hosted rock weaving, rock felting and slate painting sessions for all ages to try while Cullipool residents and geologists Alastair and Zoe Fleming turned their garden wall into a display space to show off their stockpile of incredible rocks.

Island historian Mary Braithwaite and archaeologist Dugie MacInnes gave an illustrated talk of Luing’s history in stone on the Friday night after a sit-down dinner at the Atlantic Islands Centre.

Dugie doubles as a slate artist and was commissioned to produce three pieces of work now on forever-view outside the centre. He said it was an honour to have the trio of work on show in time for the festival.

Isle of Luing Community trustee Colin Buchanan said: "It shows what a versatile material slate can be, it’s not just for roofing."

And added: "Luing has a fascinating past and an exciting future ahead."

Saturday night delivered a Taste of Luing Buffet followed by an evening of songs and stories of stone welcoming writer James Robertson, on screen, and author of The Bone Cave, Dougie Strand whose new book will be based around Argyll and tales of exile and belonging.

Sunday closed the festival with a stone spires competition won by Jeanete Sheldrick’s multi-tiered design.