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Lochaber Hydro Schemes
Dyke (Period Unassigned), Hut Circle (Period Unassigned)(Possible), Hydroelectric Power Station (20th Century), Sheepfold (Period Unassigned), Shieling (Period Unassigned)(Possible)
Site Name Lochaber Hydro Schemes
Classification Dyke (Period Unassigned), Hut Circle (Period Unassigned)(Possible), Hydroelectric Power Station (20th Century), Sheepfold (Period Unassigned), Shieling (Period Unassigned)(Possible)
Canmore ID 368085
Site Number NN17NW 75
NGR NN 12680 75160
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/368085
- Council Highland
- Parish Kilmonivaig
- Former Region Highland
- Former District Lochaber
- Former County Inverness-shire
Field Visit (30 April 2018 - 4 May 2018)
NN 12680 75160 - NN 27667 78294 A desk-based assessment (DBA) and walkover survey were undertaken prior to development of five hydro-electric schemes in Lochaber. The five schemes were located in upland areas between Fort William and Allt Beinn Chlianaig, south of Roybridge. As well as the areas of the proposed penstock routes, powerhouses and intakes, the route of a proposed high voltage cable was investigated as part of this work. The work took place between 30 April and 4 May 2018.
The DBA identified 54 sites within 1km of the proposed development, although most were a good distance from it. Those close to the development include two battlefield sites (Canmore ID: 346649) which clip the far W end of the development. In addition to some sheepfolds a range of features associated with the aluminium smelter and its hydro-electric scheme were noted. This infrastructure included an old rail line that runs through much of the development area.
The walkover survey identified 49 features, 40 of these were directly connected to the 1920s hydro-electric scheme / aluminium smelter with 22 of these being parts of the rail line, mainly bridges. The other nine features include a sheepfold, a dyke, a possible hut circle and a possible shieling. There are also four structures which are of unknown origin and may also be connected to the 1920s hydro scheme or its later modification.
Report: Highland HER Records and NRHE
Funder: Green Highland Renewables Ltd
Lachlan McKeggie and Lynne McKeggie - Highland Archaeology Services Limited
(Source: DES Vol 20)
