Inveruglas, Loch Sloy Hydroelectric Construction Camp

Cultural Heritage assessment for the proposed Sloy Sub-Station Works. The assessment forms part of an Environmental Assessment, submitted in 2011. The Cultural Heritage assessment identifies all historic environment features within close proximity to the proposed works development area (through desk-based assessment and field survey). An assessment of the direct and indirect impacts of the development on these features is included.

Information from OASIS ID: cfaarcha1-182578 (H Gray) 2011

The construction camp for the Loch Sloy Hydro-Electric Power Station is visible on aerial photographs from 1946, covering a large area to the south of the hydro scheme, on either side of the A82. At least seven blocks of grouped Nissan huts, several other structures / buildings, associated roads and an open area are visible. Aerial photographs from 1954 show that the construction camp was largely dismantled by this period. Only the area of the northern half of the campsite is still extant, the southern area is now occupied by a holiday caravan park.

Field survey identified a number of well preserved rectangular concrete platforms and steps forming a series of terraces covering the majority of the former camp site. The platforms measure approximately 35m by 6m, with six platforms placed 2m apart in groups of six to form blocks. Fragments of brick wall and other brick foundations are present.

Information from OASIS ID: cfaarcha1-182578 (H Gray) 2011.

The Loch Sloy hydro electric scheme

This was the first scheme to be tackled in 1945. Serious problems arose due to the post-war shortages of manpower and materials. The first of these was addressed by using hundreds of German prisoners of war. Access problems required the building of roads and conveyors for materials landed from Loch Lomond. Severe weather conditions delayed progress and the project was not completed until 1950.

A dam of massive buttress type was built at the south-eastern end of Loch Sloy leading to a tunnel through Ben Vorlich, followed by four circular pipelines leading to to the Loch Sloy power station at Inveruglas on the side of Loch Lomond. A surge shaft was incorporated in Ben Vorlich.

The generating sets consist of four vertical shaft Francis turbines each coupled to a 32,500 kW alternator. Delays due to adverse weather continued and transport problems for the heavy equipment which was finally installed by 1950. When fully loaded the turbines pass a million gallons of water per minute.

Information from NRHE item catalogue number WP007424 compiled by George Walker in 2005.