Michigan Vehicle_Geology at Loch Slapin_Skye marble quarry at Ben Suardal ("Beinn na Caillich"), Isle of Skye, Scotland, UK
It is unclear exactly when marble was first quarried on the Isle of Skye from the sole Skye marble quarry at Ben Suardal ("Beinn na Caillich"). During his 1771 to 1775 tour of Scotland Thomas Pennant recorded that the main alter of Iona Abbey was made from Skye marble however he failed to record the existence of the quarry in 1772 whilst staying nearby. Though primarily a limestone quarry Ben Suardal stone is intersected with hardened limestone which has been compacted over millions of years to form a species of brucillise marble. Highly ornamental the white marble is said to be more beautiful than the Italian Carrara marble favoured by the great sculptors. However Skye marble proved difficult to work and uneconomic to extract compared the to cheaper and easier to work Italian well as Iona Abbey, Skye marble has been used for paving the lobbies and stairways of now demolished Hamilton Palace and for an ornamental fireplace and staircase at nearby Armadale castle, home of the Clan Donald Centre. The old manse of the Strath was built entirely of Skye marble. Skye marble is also rumoured to have been used in the Vatican and the Palace of quarried limestone was crushed on site and transported by hand to the old pier at Broadford. Adjacent to the pier there was a large kiln where lime for agricultural purposes was manufactured before being loaded on to ships.
Size: 5100px × 3400px
Location: Isle of Skye, Scotland, UK
Photo credit: © MediaWorldImages / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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