Some of the villages of Dyffryn
Nantlle came into being when quarrying for slate
in local quarries began at the end of the 18th century
and beginning of the 19th century - for roofs, gravestones,
memorials,
window sills, pavements, billiard tables and writing slates
for schools etc. The demand for these continued for a century
and a half, and although the main quarries have closed there
is now considerable call for slate waste to make roads and
for garden use.
The quarrymen came chiefly from Anglesey and Arfon and this
is why the culture remained so Welsh throughout the period.
At present, about 80% of the population speak Welsh as their
first language.
 Dyffryn Nantlle has produced many poets and writers who are referred
to under the various village headings on this website.
It is also strongly associated with the prehistoric period
as found in the Fourth Branch of the Mabinogion.
This
famous picture of Dyffryn Nantlle (Snowdon from
Llyn Nantlle [1765]) was painted by Richard
Wilson, showing Llyn Baladeulyn between Craig y Bera
and Y Garn with Snowdon in the background.
»» The
1840 O.S. Map of the Nantlle Valley 
For more information about the history of the
villages of Dyffryn Nantlle, select the appropriate
village name in the menu on the left.
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