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 The photo shows the northern part of Cwt y Bugail quarry ('The shepherd's hut quarry in Welsh). In the back part of the quarry are further tunnels. The red cylinder is an old air-pressure tank used to supply air for pneumatic picks and others equipment.
For a good reliable summary of the industry visit the BBC site http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/history/sites/themes/society/industry_slate.shtml