Slate saw

Slate saw at the Skelwith Bridge sawmill, dressing sheds and show area for the Kirkstone Quarry.

Kirkstone Quarries was established as an unincorporated business in 1949 to undertake the quarrying of stone at Kirkstone Quarry, in Ambleside. It was incorporated in 1955 as Kirkstone Green Slate Quarries and changed its name to Kirkstone Quarries in 1991. In 1998, it received planning permission to quarry at Brathay Quarry, Ambleside, and also imported stone from around the world.

The business went into severe financial decline during 2011 and was liquidated in 2012 with the loss of 39 jobs. Kirkstone Quarry was acquired by Burlington Slate Ltd which extracts stone there when required but has abandoned the process buildings on the site.