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These quarries were operated for a very long time, opening being around 1693. Under the Ballachulish Slate Quarries Ltd there were various tramways and inclines serving the quarries. There were lines of 3ft 4in and 1ft 10.75in. The company operated its own locomotives which were taken over in 1916 for the Great War.

Separate lines linked the quarries at both West Laroch and East Laroch to quays on Loch Leven. The two Larochs are separated by the River Laroch.

At West Laroch the tramway ran from the quarries north to a quay.

At East Laroch (around 1870) at least four systems ran from quarry to quay. The principal quay was to the west, with a spoil line to its east, then a steeply graded line crossing a viaduct with a drum (winding engine) at its southern end, and another line to the east serving the east end of the quarry. The layout varied over the years as the quarries and spoil heaps grew.

The quarries were re-opened in 1925 by Scottish Slate Industries Ltd with a 2ft system. The quarries closed in 1953.

The Ballachulish Branch (Callander and Oban Railway) was promoted to a location at East Laroch where Ballachulish station, the terminus, was opened. The East Laroch Quarry often formed the backdrop of photographs taken at the station.
A tightly curved siding ran from the goods yard to a pier at Rudha na Glas-lice (the pier still exists in other uses). The railway closed in 1966.

The extensive quarries remains can still be seen today. Those at East Laroch are the larger, now partly flooded. One steeply graded incline running on a bridge has been restored and can be seen from the main road. The Mechanics Institute still stands.

Older slate quarries exist in the area.

The name Ballachulish historically referred more to the area - both north and south banks of Loch Leven - than the town which developed at East and West Laroch.

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