IT IS renowned as one of the Scottish islands that roofed the world but a new £900,000 heritage centre on Luing is to use Spanish slate.

The controversial move by Spain's Matacouta quarry to roof the new Atlantic Islands Centre at Cullipool, Luing, attracted 17 objections. But Argyll and Bute Council has agreed to the Isle of Luing Community Trust varying a planning condition stipulating West Highland slate be used. The objectors said it was "inappropriate" to use non-local slate as the centre is meant to focus on the history of an island famous for its slate quarrying.