Book shows how hydro has shaped landscape

SSE tells of key engineering chapter in ‘Power from the Glens’ to mark 75 years

A new book has been published to commemorate 75 years of hydro power in the north of Scotland.

Power from the Glens tells the story of how electricity production through water transformed the landscape, despite fears it would destroy tourism in places like Pitlochry.

Instead the town’s dam has become one of the area’s prime visitor attractions, drawing in thousands of tourists every year.

As well as history, the book, commissioned by SSE, includes a range of modern photography, side by side with early sketches of the first proposed hydro schemes.

Gregor Alexander, SSE’s finance director, said: “SSE is very proud of its hydro heritage and we all owe a huge debt of gratitude to those who helped create our network of tunnels, dams and hydro stations.

“This is a key chapter in Scotland’s social and engineering history and we felt we had a duty to tell that story.

“Our objective in all the work we do to promote the heritage of hydroelectricity is to provide inspiration for what can be possible if we put our minds to it.

“Ironically, when Pitlochry Dam and Power Station was first given the go-ahead, there were fears it would lead to the ‘ruination of tourism’ so when we hear about record numbers of visitors to the Pitlochry Dam Visitor Centre and the appetite for this book it brings a smile to my face.”

SSE provides gas and electric to seven million homes and businesses across the UK and Ireland. The book has been launched to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the Hydro-Electric Development (Scotland) Act.

Gillian O’Reilly, head of heritage for SSE, said record-breaking numbers of people have visited Pitlochry Dam since a new purpose-built visitor centre was opened last year.

She said of the book: “It is a fitting and lasting tribute to those who built the dams and now future generations can come to our stunning visitor centre and buy the book of our hydro story for themselves.”

The book costs £14 and is on sale at SSE’s Pitlochry Dam Visitor Centre or online at www.pitlochrydam.com

A boy and his dog view Cruachan hydro electric power station in Dalmally, Argyll.