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Finlarig Power Station
Hydroelectric Power Station (20th Century)
Site Name Finlarig Power Station
Classification Hydroelectric Power Station (20th Century)
Alternative Name(s) Breadalbane Hydroelectric Power Scheme
Canmore ID 312991
Site Number NN53SE 108
NGR NN 58531 34534
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/312991
- Council Perth And Kinross
- Parish Kenmore (Perth And Kinross)
- Former Region Tayside
- Former District Perth And Kinross
- Former County Perthshire
Field Visit (2010)
Finlarig power station receives water by tunnel and pressure pipeline from Lawers Dam (see separate item). The power station contains two turbines with a combined capacity of 16.5MW. The station has the highest head of any hydro scheme in the UK at 415 metres. The tailrace from the station discharges directly into Loch Tay. Finlarig power station is a good example of a smaller station. It has degree of architectural interest with high quality materials used across the design including dressed sandstone surrounds and eaves course. The station also retains cast iron rainwater goods with decorative hoppers. PL Payne, 1988, 24; E Wood, 2002, 50.
Note (10 May 2018)
Finlanrig Power Station no longer holds the record for the largest head of any hydro scheme in Scotland. In 2008, Scottish and Southern Energy commissioned the construction of Glendoe Hydroelectric Scheme which has a gross head of 608m, the highest in the country.
Information from HES Survey and Recording (LMcC), 10 May 2018
Note (25 October 2023)
The Breadalbane hydroelectric scheme
Construction took place between 1951 and 1961 in two sections north and south of Loch Tay respectively. Dams were built at the east ends of Loch an Daimh, Loch Lyon, Loch na Lairige and Stronuich Reservoir, supplying Cashlie, Lubreoch, Finlarig and Lochay power stations respectively in the northern section. Water collection is by a considerable group of aqueducts and tunnels in the area of the River Lyon and the River Lochay and their tributaries. Finlarig power station is noted for operation at a head of 1348 feet, the highest of any of the schemes. It produces 30MW from a Pelton turbine-driven alternator, the larges of its type in Britain.
The southern section has dams on Loch Breaclaich and Loch Lednock. These Lochs are interconnected by a tunnel, with a power station at the entry to Loch Lednock. The latter discharges via a tunnel to St Fillans power station at the east end of Loch Earn, which in turn supplies Dalchonzie power station, which outflows into the River Earn. Aqueducts and further channels collect water from the surrounding area. The total output from this hydroelectric scheme is 120MW.
Information from NRHE catalogue item number WP007424, compiled by George Walker in 2005.
