Gwynedd is famous for its the slate quarries that scarred its hillsides for generations and provided work for thousands.
Anglesey’s part in the industry is more associated with the workforce that would cross the Menai Strait to labour in places like Penrhyn and Dinorwig quarries.
But that doesn’t tell the whole story, with small pockets of the slate trade on the island itself. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
GeoMôn Global Geopark said the most obvious was the North Anglesey (Point Aelianus) Slate and Slab Quarry (known locally as Chwarel Sglaets) at Llaneilian.
This commenced production in February 1870. But GeoMôn said that despite the glowing prospectus and the gleaming reports from various quarrying authorities the great expectations were not realised.
Up to June 1873 1,940 first grade slates, 480 second grade slates, and 2,700 moss slates had been produced
Visible remains include small working faces, some buildings and traces of an access track. But the most notable feature is a flight of steps cut into the cliff to give access from the sea. There is some indication that underground working was attempted.
North Anglesey (Point Aelianus) Slate and Slab Quarry (known locally as Chwarel Sglaets) (Image: Rib Ride )
It is visible from the Anglesey Coastal Path but the best view comes from the sea. Boat trip firm Rib Ride take passengers for a closer look on their island voyages.
Phil Scott, from Rib Ride, said: “It’s one of my favourite as we circumnavigate the Island. As far as I know, this was one of only two slate mines on the Island but was abandoned in the late 18th century.
“Rumour is that slate from this mine was used to create a fireplace in Plas Newydd with a particularly green hue.
North Anglesey (Point Aelianus) Slate and Slab Quarry (known locally as Chwarel Sglaets) (Image: Rib Ride )
“Although the mine is accessible from the coastal path, the steps are now very precarious, so our Round Anglesey Voyagers are one of the best ways to get a view of this remarkable feat of engineering.”
GeoMôn added: “One doesn’t immediately think of Anglesey as a location for slate mining, certainly not in the vicinity of Eryri with its massive slate quarries at Penrhyn, Dinorwic and mines at Blaenau Ffestiniog.
“But Anglesey does have a very large outcrop of Ordovician rock, most however buried under glacial and post glacial sediments.
“Coastal outcrops are noticeable at Lynas on the east coast and on the west coast, especially in the context of the Carmel Head thrust, a low angle fault that has moved Cambrian and Precambrian rocks over the Ordovician. In these two localities, the Ordovician rocks are of modest quality slate and have been quarried.”
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