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Errochty Power Station

Hydroelectric Power Station (Modern)

Site Name Errochty Power Station

Classification Hydroelectric Power Station (Modern)

Alternative Name(s) Tummel Bridge; Tummel Hydroelectricity Scheme

Canmore ID 171377

Site Number NN75NE 79

NGR NN 77264 59290

Datum OSGB36 - NGR

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/171377

Ordnance Survey licence number AC0000807262. All rights reserved.
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Digital Images

Administrative Areas

  • Council Perth And Kinross
  • Parish Fortingall
  • Former Region Tayside
  • Former District Perth And Kinross
  • Former County Perthshire

Archaeology Notes

NN75NE 79 7727 5929

Errochty Power Station [NAT]

OS 1:10,000 map, 1992.

For (associated) Errochty Reservoir (Loch Errochty), see NN66NE 8.

For (associated) Errochty Switching Station (centred NN 7695 5909), see NN75NE 80.

For (associated) Errochty Dam (NN 71411 65622), see NN76NW 9.

Errochty Power Station, 1955: monumental cubic turbine house at the head of Loch Tummel.

N Haynes 2000.

Activities

Field Visit (2010)

This power station (1955) houses two turbines, and is the largest on the scheme, using water brought by buried pipeline and tunnel from Errochty Dam some 10 km to the northwest. The tailrace exits into Loch Tummel which goes on to provide water for both Clunie and Pitlochry stations further downstream. The turbines are recessed to be on a level with the incoming penstocks which are buried into the hillside behind, which forms part of the rear wall to the powerhouse. The front elevation and access deck are built on large concrete pilottis and oversail the tailrace. The design of the station echoes that of the other stations of a similar date on the scheme, notably that at Guar (see separate record). The station is a relatively early example of the change in emphasis in the design from the bold modernist forms of the pre 1943 schemes, notably at Galloway, to a design which melted into the landscape to a greater degree. The design of the station retains some of the bold features of the earlier modernist designs, such as the rectangular form, and large evenly spaced glazing pattern, but is constructed from coursed random rubble, clearly echoing the Scottish vernacular tradition. The modernist form of the building is more fully recognised to the interior, with a largely functional design making use of large concrete pilasters to support the travelling crane which is retained in situ. The station is prominently sited adjacent to the B8019 road and additional interest in gained from the front façade which is a dramatic composition with large glazed areas and the slender columns which allow the building to oversail the tail race. National Archives of Scotland (NAS), Ref: NSE North of Scotland Hydro Electric Board Collection (1943 -1990); NAS, Ref: NSE1 North of Scotland Hydro Electric Board Minutes (1943-1990); NAS, Ref NSE2 North of Scotland Hydro Electric Board Annual Reports (1943-1990); P L Payne, 1988; J Miller, 2002, 42: Siobhan MacConnachie, 2003; Scottish Hydro Electric, 2000, 18; J Gifford, 2007, 741

Note (25 October 2023)

The Tummel-Garry hydroelectric power Scheme

The second of the Hydro Board's schemes was an extension of the Grampian Electricity Company's scheme. The Clunie Dam was constructed at the east end of Loch Tummel, increasing its size. A tunnel connects to Clunie power station below the Falls of Tummel. A dam was built at the east end of Loch Errochty whose water was fed by a tunnel and pipeline to a power station at the head of Loch Tummel. Finally, the River Tummel was impounded at Pitlochry forming Loch Faskally. The power station here is built into the dam and incorporates a fish ladder to allow salmon to pass. Loch Faskally forms a balancing reservoir for fluctuations in flow due to the Clunie power station's operations.

The scheme produces a total of 150,000 kW. Work started in 1946 and experienced similar problems to Loch Sloy due to shortages of labour and material, being completed in 1951.

This account relates to the Scottish Hydro collection of photographic images held at HES, Edinburgh. Compiled by a volunteer, Mr George Walker in 2005.

Information from HES (Miriam McDonald), 25 October 2023.

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