Slate chippings instead of gravel patio? Help!

[ProperRed]

I've seen a lot of criticism for gravel patios and we don't want to create a litter box for all the neighbourhood cats - I wondered if the bigger slate chippings would be a good alternative? We would use a combination of slate chippings and paving slabs. My thinking is less likely to get stuck in the lawn mower and hopefully a bit nicer to look at?
We absolutely can't afford a 'proper' patio or we'd definitely be doing it!
Has anyone tried this? Or has anyone laid their own gravel and paving patio and was it easy?

i dont think slate will be much better for cats using it as its still diggable and i know when i had a garden with slate chippings in one part my cats used it

I have slate around the front of my bays / front door as a feature/burglary deterant from its noise when on foot.

Cats love pooing on it more than my lawn/block driveway

They don’t dig just sort of poo and do a few kicks as an half arsed effort to cover it.

Also slate slowly breaks down and will leave a grey film on your shoe soles. My house is strictly no shoes but if someone does wear shoes it leave a few initial foot prints also my car mats get slate dust on them if we’ve had a period of dry weather

But still love it!

Thank you both for your replies, sorry I'm so late. If you still love it with squirrel even with the cat poo problem, it might be worth the hassle! Can't think of what else we would use as a patio without forking out to get it done properly.