Harnessing the Power of Water: Industry, dams, power stations and mills
28/04/2020
Throughout 2020 Scotland will be celebrating the Year of Coasts and Waters. The HES Archive has joined in these celebrations with our new exhibition Harnessing the Power of Water.
Due to COVID-19 and the closure of our building, we have selected images from this exhibition and will be creating a series of galleries for the enjoyment of anyone who is unable to come and view the exhibition in person.
The exhibition reflects a wide range of human interactions with water, and this gallery specifically highlights images of power stations and hydroelectric dams; the use of water in industry, mills and canals.
You can discover more images of Scotland's archaeology, architecture and industrial heritage from the HES Archives on our Canmore website.
SC 340766
View from W showing mill wheels, sluice gates and part of weir, East Cluden watermill.
© RCAHMS
SC 367265
Crinan Canal, Dunardry Locks. General view of Dunardry Locks showing Puffer Vic 32.
© RCAHMS
SC 440405
Dingwall, Strathpeffer Road, Millwright's shop Detail of steam roller (manufacturer Avebine (?) and Porter, Rochester)
© HES. Reproduced courtesy of J R Hume
SC 509400
Glasgow, Bridge over River Kelvin View from N showing weir, piers of bridge, and ruins of cottages
© HES. Reproduced courtesy of J R Hume
SC 543672
View of structure showing work at surge tank and watch tower, Bonnington Power Station in 1926.
© Courtesy of HES (Scottish Power Collection)
SC 543698
Album photograph showing view of surge tank and pipeline, Bonnington hydroelectric power station.
© Courtesy of HES (Scottish Power Collection)
SC 570290
Elgin, Bruceland Road, Glenmoray Distillery, Interior View showing steam engine (Chrystal of Perth)
© HES. Reproduced courtesy of J R Hume
SC 573118
Inverness, Muirtown Basin, Caledonian Canal View of lock lifter barge in Muirtown Basin
© HES. Reproduced courtesy of J R Hume
SC 588434
Coatbridge, 14 Jackson Street, Anderson's Engineering Works, Interior View showing man working steam hammer
© HES. Reproduced courtesy of J R Hume
SC 592456
Glasgow, 206 Old Dumbarton Road, Bishop Mill View from NW across River Kelvin, mill stream exit channel in foreground
© HES. Reproduced courtesy of J R Hume
SC 636573
Drawing showing presentation elevation, Fasnakyle Power Station.
© Courtesy of HES. Records of Shearer and Annand, architects, Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland
SC 662368
View showing steam train at Central Station, Glasgow.
© HES. Reproduced courtesy of J R Hume
SC 676190
View showing locomotive and canopies at Ayr Railway Station.
© HES. Reproduced courtesy of J R Hume
SC 679362
View from NE showing coal train with J36 locomotive on track near upper station, Bathgate.
© HES. Reproduced courtesy of J R Hume
SC 679378
View showing locomotive at coaling stage with blast furnace in background, Gartsherrie Ironworks.
© HES. Reproduced courtesy of J R Hume
SC 710488
View from N showing National Coal Board locomotive number 10 and part of train at Dalmellington Colliery, Ayrshire.
© HES. Reproduced courtesy of J R Hume
SC 727314
Bowmore Distillery Interior view within still house showing the four copper pot stills, all of which are heated by steam coils
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 732347
Aberfeldy Distillery Detailed view of distillery steam locomotive, now disused (tank engine made by Andrew Barclay of Kilmarnock).
© RCAHMS
SC 742451
General view of Rosebank Distillery, Falkirk, across Forth Clyde Canal basin from W.
© RCAHMS
SC 743769
Montgarrie Mill View of lade as it approaches the mill. The lade bypass is in full use, taking water away from the waterwheel. At the time of survey, the water wheel was not in use because the chain drive connecting it with the mill machinery was requiring repair.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 756143
View of West Mill and Water of Leith Bridge etc, from east, inscr; 'Mills Water of Leith, drawn from Nature'
© Courtesy of HES (Alexander Archer Collection)
SC 778714
View of New Mill, Elgin, from N showing NW front of main range with water tower.
© HES. Reproduced courtesy of J R Hume
SC 785433
View from NNW showing steam crane, Custom House Quay, Greenock.
© HES. Reproduced courtesy of J R Hume
SC 793562
Interior view showing detail of English Electric switchgear, which dates from the opening of Stonebyres hydroelectric power station in 1927.
© RCAHMS
SC 869031
View of South Wing under construction, looking downstream of Blocks Nos. 23 and 24. Copy of negative, Mullardoch-Fasnakyle-Affric, Box 873/1, Contract No. 9, Plate No. 138.
© RCAHMS
SC 869315
View of Drum Gates from E showing Left Gate Spilling. Copy of negative, Tummel Valley, Box 831/1, Contract No. 19, no plate number given.
© RCAHMS
SC 873139
Front cover illustration of the booklet, 'Harnessing the Falls of Clyde' displaying the logo of the Clyde Valley Electrical Power Company above a stylised motif of cascading water.
© HES. Reproduced courtesy of J R Hume
SC 877578
View from NE showing Surge Tank under construction, Stonebyres hydroelectric power station.
© Courtesy of HES (Scottish Power Collection)
SC 877591
View showing construction work at site of weirs, Stonebyres hydroelectric power station.
© Courtesy of HES (Scottish Power Collection)
SC 877625
General view from S showing power station building, with surge tank up the slope behind it, Stonebyres hydroelectric power station.
© Courtesy of HES (Scottish Power Collection)
SC 886168
2990 cusecs of water passing through generating station, Mucomir hydroelectric power station, Gairlochy.
© RCAHMS
SC 886493
Draft tube shutter being positioned, Mucomir hydroelectric power station, Gairlochy.
© RCAHMS
SC 886878
View of Mullardoch-Fasnakyle-Affric Project, contract no 10, Fasnakyle Generating Station. Trench excavation for north pipe tunnel in 1948.
© RCAHMS
SC 887004
View of Mullardoch-Fasnakyle-Affric Project, contract no 10, Fasnakyle Generating Station. General view from east bank showing tairace excavation nearly completed. Scan of glass negative no. 318, Box 1042/1
© RCAHMS
SC 895423
View of main tunnel for Loch Sloy Project, Contract 23, in 1950. Bifurcation of 15'4'' main tunnel to 10' steel lining.
© RCAHMS
SC 913968
Tummel/Garry Project. Contract 19. Drum Gates, Pitlochry Dam. Both gates discharging. View from Roof of Power Station. Tummel/Garry Album, no plate number given.
© RCAHMS
SC 914023
View of Tummel/Garry Project. Contract 17. Pitlochry Dam and Power Station. Interior. Power Station. Tummel/Garry Album, unnumbered plate
© RCAHMS
DP 010186
Forth Bridge Works: Steam tug 'Dolphin', No. 27
© Courtesy of HES/National Records of Scotland. Photographs of the Forth Bridge, Scotland
DP 010215
Forth Bridge Works: Steam tug 'Dolphin', No.99
© Courtesy of HES/National Records of Scotland. Photographs of the Forth Bridge, Scotland
SC 1043011
Broadford Mills: Detailed view from S at roof level of the castellated water tower at the centre of the warehouse, which contained water for the fire sprinkler system.
© RCAHMS
DP 023894
Oblique aerial view centred on the Mucomir Cut, the electricity generating station, bridge, road bridge, farmhouse and farmsteading, taken from the S.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 029549
Oblique aerial view centred on Loch Sloy hydroelectric power station, feeder pipes and valve house, taken from the SSW.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 030202
Oblique aerial view centred on Kendoon power station, taken from the SE.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1130809
Edinburgh, Gilmore Park, Union Canal, vertical lifting bridge. General view of bridge in original position pre-1922.
© Courtesy of HES (Francis M Chrystal Collection)
DP 077627
View of the Loch Katrine water works. Titled: 'Sluices and Salmon Ladders at Outlet of Loch Katrine'.
© RCAHMS
SC 1257371
New Lanark, general view, showing Gourock Ropework Co. Ltd. Mills and New Lanark Road. Oblique aerial photograph taken facing north.
© HES (Aerofilms Collection)
SC 1257613
St Rollox Chemical Works and A and G Paterson St Rollox Sawmills, Glasgow, and the Monkland Canal. Oblique aerial photograph taken facing north-east.
© HES (Aerofilms Collection)
DP 144587
Oblique aerial view of Bonnington hydroelectric power station, taken from the E.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1383181
Interior view of Bonnington hydroelectric power station showing turbine hall from N, including worker.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1385682
View fron SW of riveted steel water pipes descending from surge tank, Stonebyres hydroelectric power station.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1391215
View from SW of SW end of N Mill and water tower at N end of Burnside Mill.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1393722
View of Main Building, Rannoch hydroelectric power station, from S.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1440001
Alloa, Whins Road, Brewery View from N on roof of brewhouse pend area of economiser. The boilers on site use gas or oil to make steam. Two to three weeks oil supply is kept on site, as gas supply can be interrupted at peak use times. The fumes resulting from the boiler heat the cold water in coils within the exchanger and this heated water goes to the hot liquor tank for use in the brewing process
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 219026
Oblique aerial view of the Kelvin Aqueduct and Maryhill Locks, looking W.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 263569
Oblique aerial view of Tummel Bridge hydroelectric electricity generating station.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 266249
Watercolour drawing of a dam entitled "Esquisse A Dam" by Jean Payton Reid
© Courtesy of HES (Jean Payton-Reid Collection)
SC 1595922
View of carving above window of Fasnakyle Power station, designed by Hew Lorimer, depicting a dragon in Pictish style.Grudie Bridge Power Station.
© HES (Tom and Sybil Gray Collection)
SC 1595924
View of carving above window of Fasnakyle Power station, designed by Hew Lorimer, depicting a boar in Pictish style.Grudie Bridge Power Station.
© HES (Tom and Sybil Gray Collection)
SC 1659780
Glasgow, Springburn, St Rollox Locomotive Works, interior. View of test bed for carriage heating control valves.
© RCAHMS
SC 1690274
Pitlochry, Loch Faskally, oblique aerial view, taken from the SE, centred on the dam, electricity generating station and fish ladders.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1935419
View of sluice controls, Glasgow Corporation Waterworks, Loch Katrine.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 318132
General view of Tummel Bridge hydroelectric electricity generating station from north west.
© Historic Environment Scotland
DP 318172
Interior view of Tummel Bridge hydroelectric electricity generating station showing Turbine Hall. Ground floor. Detail of MC1 Alternator, casing removed.
© Historic Environment Scotland
DP 318389
Interior view of Tummel Bridge hydroelectric electricity generating station showing Turbine hall from south east showing west generating set (MC 2)
© Historic Environment Scotland
DP 318403
Interior view of Tummel Bridge hydroelectric electricity generating station. Mezzanine/First floor. View from east of central control panel
© Historic Environment Scotland
DP 318407
Interior view of Tummel Bridge hydroelectric electricity generating station showing Turbine Hall. Ground floor. View from east
© Historic Environment Scotland
DP 318414
View from south of pipelines/penstocks carrying water by gravity to Tummel Bridge Power Station's two generator sets
© Historic Environment Scotland
SC 2171871
Glasgow, Bridge over River Kelvin View from N showing weir, piers of bridge, and ruins of cottages
© HES. Reproduced courtesy of J R Hume
SC 340766
View from W showing mill wheels, sluice gates and part of weir, East Cluden watermill.
© RCAHMS
SC 367265
Crinan Canal, Dunardry Locks. General view of Dunardry Locks showing Puffer Vic 32.
© RCAHMS
SC 440405
Dingwall, Strathpeffer Road, Millwright's shop Detail of steam roller (manufacturer Avebine (?) and Porter, Rochester)
© HES. Reproduced courtesy of J R Hume
SC 509400
Glasgow, Bridge over River Kelvin View from N showing weir, piers of bridge, and ruins of cottages
© HES. Reproduced courtesy of J R Hume
SC 543672
View of structure showing work at surge tank and watch tower, Bonnington Power Station in 1926.
© Courtesy of HES (Scottish Power Collection)
SC 543698
Album photograph showing view of surge tank and pipeline, Bonnington hydroelectric power station.
© Courtesy of HES (Scottish Power Collection)
SC 570290
Elgin, Bruceland Road, Glenmoray Distillery, Interior View showing steam engine (Chrystal of Perth)
© HES. Reproduced courtesy of J R Hume
SC 573118
Inverness, Muirtown Basin, Caledonian Canal View of lock lifter barge in Muirtown Basin
© HES. Reproduced courtesy of J R Hume
SC 588434
Coatbridge, 14 Jackson Street, Anderson's Engineering Works, Interior View showing man working steam hammer
© HES. Reproduced courtesy of J R Hume
SC 592456
Glasgow, 206 Old Dumbarton Road, Bishop Mill View from NW across River Kelvin, mill stream exit channel in foreground
© HES. Reproduced courtesy of J R Hume
SC 636573
Drawing showing presentation elevation, Fasnakyle Power Station.
© Courtesy of HES. Records of Shearer and Annand, architects, Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland
SC 662368
View showing steam train at Central Station, Glasgow.
© HES. Reproduced courtesy of J R Hume
SC 676190
View showing locomotive and canopies at Ayr Railway Station.
© HES. Reproduced courtesy of J R Hume
SC 679362
View from NE showing coal train with J36 locomotive on track near upper station, Bathgate.
© HES. Reproduced courtesy of J R Hume
SC 679378
View showing locomotive at coaling stage with blast furnace in background, Gartsherrie Ironworks.
© HES. Reproduced courtesy of J R Hume
SC 710488
View from N showing National Coal Board locomotive number 10 and part of train at Dalmellington Colliery, Ayrshire.
© HES. Reproduced courtesy of J R Hume
SC 727314
Bowmore Distillery Interior view within still house showing the four copper pot stills, all of which are heated by steam coils
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 732347
Aberfeldy Distillery Detailed view of distillery steam locomotive, now disused (tank engine made by Andrew Barclay of Kilmarnock).
© RCAHMS
SC 742451
General view of Rosebank Distillery, Falkirk, across Forth Clyde Canal basin from W.
© RCAHMS
SC 743769
Montgarrie Mill View of lade as it approaches the mill. The lade bypass is in full use, taking water away from the waterwheel. At the time of survey, the water wheel was not in use because the chain drive connecting it with the mill machinery was requiring repair.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 756143
View of West Mill and Water of Leith Bridge etc, from east, inscr; 'Mills Water of Leith, drawn from Nature'
© Courtesy of HES (Alexander Archer Collection)
SC 778714
View of New Mill, Elgin, from N showing NW front of main range with water tower.
© HES. Reproduced courtesy of J R Hume
SC 785433
View from NNW showing steam crane, Custom House Quay, Greenock.
© HES. Reproduced courtesy of J R Hume
SC 793562
Interior view showing detail of English Electric switchgear, which dates from the opening of Stonebyres hydroelectric power station in 1927.
© RCAHMS
SC 869031
View of South Wing under construction, looking downstream of Blocks Nos. 23 and 24. Copy of negative, Mullardoch-Fasnakyle-Affric, Box 873/1, Contract No. 9, Plate No. 138.
© RCAHMS
SC 869315
View of Drum Gates from E showing Left Gate Spilling. Copy of negative, Tummel Valley, Box 831/1, Contract No. 19, no plate number given.
© RCAHMS
SC 873139
Front cover illustration of the booklet, 'Harnessing the Falls of Clyde' displaying the logo of the Clyde Valley Electrical Power Company above a stylised motif of cascading water.
© HES. Reproduced courtesy of J R Hume
SC 877578
View from NE showing Surge Tank under construction, Stonebyres hydroelectric power station.
© Courtesy of HES (Scottish Power Collection)
SC 877591
View showing construction work at site of weirs, Stonebyres hydroelectric power station.
© Courtesy of HES (Scottish Power Collection)
SC 877625
General view from S showing power station building, with surge tank up the slope behind it, Stonebyres hydroelectric power station.
© Courtesy of HES (Scottish Power Collection)
SC 886168
2990 cusecs of water passing through generating station, Mucomir hydroelectric power station, Gairlochy.
© RCAHMS
SC 886493
Draft tube shutter being positioned, Mucomir hydroelectric power station, Gairlochy.
© RCAHMS
SC 886878
View of Mullardoch-Fasnakyle-Affric Project, contract no 10, Fasnakyle Generating Station. Trench excavation for north pipe tunnel in 1948.
© RCAHMS
SC 887004
View of Mullardoch-Fasnakyle-Affric Project, contract no 10, Fasnakyle Generating Station. General view from east bank showing tairace excavation nearly completed. Scan of glass negative no. 318, Box 1042/1
© RCAHMS
SC 895423
View of main tunnel for Loch Sloy Project, Contract 23, in 1950. Bifurcation of 15'4'' main tunnel to 10' steel lining.
© RCAHMS
SC 913968
Tummel/Garry Project. Contract 19. Drum Gates, Pitlochry Dam. Both gates discharging. View from Roof of Power Station. Tummel/Garry Album, no plate number given.
© RCAHMS
SC 914023
View of Tummel/Garry Project. Contract 17. Pitlochry Dam and Power Station. Interior. Power Station. Tummel/Garry Album, unnumbered plate
© RCAHMS
DP 010186
Forth Bridge Works: Steam tug 'Dolphin', No. 27
© Courtesy of HES/National Records of Scotland. Photographs of the Forth Bridge, Scotland
DP 010215
Forth Bridge Works: Steam tug 'Dolphin', No.99
© Courtesy of HES/National Records of Scotland. Photographs of the Forth Bridge, Scotland
SC 1043011
Broadford Mills: Detailed view from S at roof level of the castellated water tower at the centre of the warehouse, which contained water for the fire sprinkler system.
© RCAHMS
DP 023894
Oblique aerial view centred on the Mucomir Cut, the electricity generating station, bridge, road bridge, farmhouse and farmsteading, taken from the S.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 029549
Oblique aerial view centred on Loch Sloy hydroelectric power station, feeder pipes and valve house, taken from the SSW.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 030202
Oblique aerial view centred on Kendoon power station, taken from the SE.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1130809
Edinburgh, Gilmore Park, Union Canal, vertical lifting bridge. General view of bridge in original position pre-1922.
© Courtesy of HES (Francis M Chrystal Collection)
DP 077627
View of the Loch Katrine water works. Titled: 'Sluices and Salmon Ladders at Outlet of Loch Katrine'.
© RCAHMS
SC 1257371
New Lanark, general view, showing Gourock Ropework Co. Ltd. Mills and New Lanark Road. Oblique aerial photograph taken facing north.
© HES (Aerofilms Collection)
SC 1257613
St Rollox Chemical Works and A and G Paterson St Rollox Sawmills, Glasgow, and the Monkland Canal. Oblique aerial photograph taken facing north-east.
© HES (Aerofilms Collection)
DP 144587
Oblique aerial view of Bonnington hydroelectric power station, taken from the E.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1383181
Interior view of Bonnington hydroelectric power station showing turbine hall from N, including worker.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1385682
View fron SW of riveted steel water pipes descending from surge tank, Stonebyres hydroelectric power station.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1391215
View from SW of SW end of N Mill and water tower at N end of Burnside Mill.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1393722
View of Main Building, Rannoch hydroelectric power station, from S.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1440001
Alloa, Whins Road, Brewery View from N on roof of brewhouse pend area of economiser. The boilers on site use gas or oil to make steam. Two to three weeks oil supply is kept on site, as gas supply can be interrupted at peak use times. The fumes resulting from the boiler heat the cold water in coils within the exchanger and this heated water goes to the hot liquor tank for use in the brewing process
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 219026
Oblique aerial view of the Kelvin Aqueduct and Maryhill Locks, looking W.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 263569
Oblique aerial view of Tummel Bridge hydroelectric electricity generating station.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 266249
Watercolour drawing of a dam entitled "Esquisse A Dam" by Jean Payton Reid
© Courtesy of HES (Jean Payton-Reid Collection)
SC 1595922
View of carving above window of Fasnakyle Power station, designed by Hew Lorimer, depicting a dragon in Pictish style.Grudie Bridge Power Station.
© HES (Tom and Sybil Gray Collection)
SC 1595924
View of carving above window of Fasnakyle Power station, designed by Hew Lorimer, depicting a boar in Pictish style.Grudie Bridge Power Station.
© HES (Tom and Sybil Gray Collection)
SC 1659780
Glasgow, Springburn, St Rollox Locomotive Works, interior. View of test bed for carriage heating control valves.
© RCAHMS
SC 1690274
Pitlochry, Loch Faskally, oblique aerial view, taken from the SE, centred on the dam, electricity generating station and fish ladders.
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1935419
View of sluice controls, Glasgow Corporation Waterworks, Loch Katrine.
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 318132
General view of Tummel Bridge hydroelectric electricity generating station from north west.
© Historic Environment Scotland
DP 318172
Interior view of Tummel Bridge hydroelectric electricity generating station showing Turbine Hall. Ground floor. Detail of MC1 Alternator, casing removed.
© Historic Environment Scotland
DP 318389
Interior view of Tummel Bridge hydroelectric electricity generating station showing Turbine hall from south east showing west generating set (MC 2)
© Historic Environment Scotland
DP 318403
Interior view of Tummel Bridge hydroelectric electricity generating station. Mezzanine/First floor. View from east of central control panel
© Historic Environment Scotland
DP 318407
Interior view of Tummel Bridge hydroelectric electricity generating station showing Turbine Hall. Ground floor. View from east
© Historic Environment Scotland
DP 318414
View from south of pipelines/penstocks carrying water by gravity to Tummel Bridge Power Station's two generator sets
© Historic Environment Scotland
SC 2171871
Glasgow, Bridge over River Kelvin View from N showing weir, piers of bridge, and ruins of cottages
© HES. Reproduced courtesy of J R Hume
