Lochan Na Lairige
Machinery Plinth(S) (19th Century) - (20th Century)
Site Name Lochan Na Lairige
Classification Machinery Plinth(S) (19th Century) - (20th Century)
Alternative Name(s) Breadalbane Hydro-electric Scheme
Canmore ID 292225
Site Number NN54SE 7
NGR NN 59488 41199
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/292225
- Council Perth And Kinross
- Parish Kenmore (Perth And Kinross)
- Former Region Tayside
- Former District Perth And Kinross
- Former County Perthshire
NN54SE 7 59488 41199
A group of concrete plinths and wooden sleepers in moorland around the head of the Lochan na Lairige reservoir (see NN63NW 28) are probably associated with the construction of the tunnels supplying water to the reservoir, which is part of the Breadalbane Hydro-Electric Scheme. There are at least eight plinths and three earthfast sleepers disposed across an area measuring about 250m from N to S by 150m transversely. The plinths measure up to 3.3m in length by 2.8m in breadth and 0.3m in height, and both they and the sleepers are set with iron bolts, presumably used to secure machinery and equipment.
(BL00 674-9)
Visited by RCAHMS (AGCH) 5 October 2000
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.
