The area Blaenau Ffestiniog in North Wales is renown for the quarrying and production of slate. The extent of quarrying is truly remarkable. Between the village of Cwm Penmachno and Blaenau there is a complex of quarries both underground and on the surface with tramways and the remains of buildings including a 'deserted village' at Rhiwbach quarry. Even today this area is remote, bleak and extremely dangerous to the unwary as there are many open quarry-holes some going vertically or near vertically for hundreds of feet.
PHOTO: Many of the buildings survive in this harsh upland environment because they are constructed of slate. The Welsh word caban (a shelter) is in general use to describe such small buildings.