Reclaimed Slate: Timeless, Sustainable, and Hand-Cut to Perfection

At Aureal Aromatics, we believe the best products tell a story. That’s why we proudly use reclaimed slate in our handcrafted turf incense sets, Creel sets and cottages. Slate is a natural material with deep roots in Irish history, and reclaiming it allows us to create beautiful, functional products while respecting the environment.

Whether you’re drawn to its rugged character, its sustainability, or its rich heritage, reclaimed slate is a material that truly stands the test of time.

What Is Reclaimed Slate?

Reclaimed slate is slate that has been carefully salvaged from old buildings, roofs, and structures that are no longer in use. Instead of being discarded, the slate is given a second life. This process preserves the material’s natural beauty while reducing waste and the need for new quarrying.

Every piece of reclaimed slate carries subtle variations in texture, colour, and markings—details that simply can’t be replicated by mass-produced materials.

Where are they Reclaimed from?

For the past number of years, we have been using roof slates from our families old properties. Old cottages from our land which were demolished years ago, but the roof slates retained for future use. They would have been in use for almost a century and have now been repurposed and given a new life. Each piece carries with it a memory of rural life in South Armagh.

The Most Common Types of Slate We Use

The UK is famous for producing some of the finest slate in the world. Here are a few of the most well-known and commonly used types:

Bangor Blue Slate

Bangor Blue is one of the most iconic Welsh slates. It features a deep blue-grey tone with a smooth, elegant finish. Known for its durability and consistency, Bangor Blue slate has been used for centuries in roofing and architectural projects. When reclaimed and hand cut, it offers a refined yet earthy look that works beautifully in modern and traditional settings alike.

Welsh Heather Slate

Welsh Heather slate has a slightly warmer tone, often showing hints of purple, plum, or soft grey. Its natural colour variation gives it a softer, more organic feel. This type of slate is especially popular for decorative pieces where character and subtle colour shifts are part of the appeal.

Cumbrian Green Slate

Cumbrian Green slate is less common but instantly recognisable. With natural green and blue undertones, it brings a unique, almost coastal feel to slate products. When reclaimed, this slate often shows fascinating mineral patterns that make each piece completely one of a kind.

Hand Cut, Every Time

One of the things that truly sets Aureal Turf Incense products apart is that every piece of slate is hand cut. We don’t rely on automated mass production. Instead, each slab is carefully shaped, finished, and inspected by hand.

Hand cutting allows us to:

Respect the natural grain and structure of the slate

Preserve the character and imperfections that make reclaimed slate special

Ensure every product has its own unique look and feel

No two pieces are ever exactly the same—and that’s very much the point.

Why Reclaimed Slate Is a Sustainable Choice

Using reclaimed slate is about more than aesthetics. It’s a conscious decision to reduce environmental impact. By reusing existing materials, we help:

Minimise landfill waste

Reduce energy consumption from quarrying and transport

Preserve historic materials that still have decades of life left

It’s sustainability without compromise—strong, long-lasting, and beautiful.

Perfect for Incense and Everyday Rituals

Slate’s natural heat resistance, weight, and durability make it ideal for incense products. It’s stable, easy to clean, and ages gracefully over time. As incense ash gently settles on the slate, it adds to the sense of ritual rather than detracting from it.

Combined with hand craftsmanship and reclaimed materials, slate brings a grounded, mindful quality to everyday moments.

A Material with Meaning

When you choose a product from Aureal Aromatics, you’re not just buying an object—you’re choosing history, sustainability, and craftsmanship. From Bangor Blue to Welsh Heather, each piece of slate has lived a life before reaching your hands, and now it gets to be part of yours.

That’s the beauty of reclaimed slate: timeless, honest, and made to last.