The village of Ballachulish (/ˌbæləˈxuːlɪʃ/ BAL-ə-KHOO-lish or /ˌbæləˈhuːlɪʃ/ BAL-ə-HOO-lish, from Scottish Gaelic Baile a' Chaolais [baləˈxɯːl̪ˠɪʃ]) in Lochaber, Highland, Scotland,[2] is centred on former slate quarries, and now primarily serves tourists in the area.
As there was no road to the head of Loch Leven until 1927, the Ballachulish Ferry, established in 1733, and those at Invercoe/Callert and Caolas na Con were essential.
In 2001, however, Amanda Penman, an 89-year-old descendant of the Scottish clan chiefs of the Stewarts of Appin, alleged that the Appin murder had been planned, in retaliation for the Red Fox's role in the local Highland Clearances, by four young Stewart tacksmen without the sanction of James of the Glens.
The A82 road serves Ballachulish and much of the old railway line has been re-used as part of National Cycle Route 78, once again giving the beautiful views previously seen from the train.
These crystals quickly rust away when exposed to the weather, leaving clean square holes and a brown rusty streak.
In 1955 the quarries closed, leaving waste mountains for the abruptly unemployed and impoverished villagers to sort out.
They also objected to the unsatisfactory labour contracts, inadequate wages and excessive charges for the powder, coals and other materials supplied by the company.
The competitions were confined to local athletes - competitors from Ballachulish, Glencoe, Onich, Ardgour and Duror alone being eligible.
This allowed a pleasant rivalry in feats of skill between youth of the neighbouring districts and encouraged a fondness for outdoor sports.
They stand almost unequalled at the game of shinty and on Saturday a plucky Glencoe lad was to be seen at every contest, no matter what his chances of winning might be.
The Ballachulish lads are muscular and strong and should give a good account of themselves in any fray; but they do not show the same amount of Celtic fire for field sports as their neighbours of Carnoch (Glencoe).
Into the former category could be placed events such as the Ballachulish regatta 'got up by working men' at the slate quarries, which was accompanied by land sports.
The caber seldom featured in local informal sports events arranged by local people as distinct from formal Highland Gatherings stage managed by non-locals.The former St John's Episcopal Church, which replaced an earlier Episcopal church, is located to the west of the village.