Heritage project to mark 75 years
Hydroelectric workers asked to share stories
Pitlochry Dam is set to mark 75 years of hydroelectric power in Scotland this year by launching a “living history” campaign.
Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) are calling on former employees, contractors and villagers associated with the hydroelectric scheme’s construction to share their firsthand testimonies to help create a living history of Scotland’s hydroelectricity.
This project will help the energy giant to mark 75 years since the Hydro Electric (Scotland) Act was passed in 1943, which ultimately brought power to the Highlands of Scotland for the first time.
Gillian O’Reilly, SSE’s head of heritage, said: “We are particularly keen to hear from people who worked for the hydro board and its predecessors in the 1940s, ‘50s and ‘60s.”
Brian Haslam (84) has already put his testimony of working on the Errochty Dam near Trinafour and the Breadalbane scheme in the 1950s as a civil engineer.
Brian, who now lives in Fochabers, said he is immensely proud of his work to bring the complicated network of tunnels to the Highlands.
He said: “I worked for two construction companies Carmichael and then Mitchell Construction Company between 1955 and 1959.
“It was 10 years after World War Two and I met all sorts of people who shared their experiences of living through the war. There were workers and displaced people from all over Europe. Many had very little apart from the clothes they stood in so they welcomed the work.
“We all got on very well together and it was a very exciting time. There were vast numbers of people working in the area and each company would build huge camps to house everyone.
“Initially some locals in places like Pitlochry were sceptical, but they soon saw the benefits of what we were doing and appreciated the income that came in all year round.”
This comes after the new visitor centre at Pitlochry Dam welcomed nearly 150,000 people through its doors in the first year alone.
The visitor centre on the banks of the River Tummel in Highland Perthshire opened on January 30 Pitlochry Dam 2017, and has welcomed thousands since.
The centre boasts a free exhibition as well as a cafe and a shop, alongside an outdoor viewing balcony with stunning views of the dam and Loch Faskally.
This comes after SSE set a target of welcoming only 88,000 visitors in the first 12 months.
Gillian added: “We have had an amazing first year where we have exceeded all targets in terms of footfall and have even attracted a loyal cliental of locals who have adopted the centre, and the team, as their own.”
Anyone who wants to get involved in the living history project and share their stories, can contact the heritage team by emailing heritage@sse.com or phoning 07469411479.