In the 30 years between the end of World War II and 1975, the construction schemes of the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board changed the face of the Highlands and brought electricity to almost the whole of the country north of the Highland Line. Nothing on such a scale had been attempted before, and the 'schemes', as they were called, symbolized far more than huge devices for the generation of electricity. Fired by the idealism of Tom Johnston, the Board's founder, the schemes brought regeneration and hope. This book is a vivid account of the schemes and includes eyewitness stories from many of the workers - from dam builders, engineers, tunnel tigers, linemen - who made the electrification of the Highlands a reality and now, often for the first time, tell what it was like. The names of the schemes - Loch Sloy, Glen Shira, Tummel-Garry, the Conon Valley, Glen Affric, Strathfarrar-Kilmorack, Glenmoriston-Garry, Shin, Breadalbane, Ben Cruachan - are vivid in the memories of all who worked on them, in an epic of hard physical labour in a beautiful landscape. By the time the last scheme was opened in Foyers in 1975, the engineers commissioned by the Board had built some 50 major dams and power stations, almost 200 miles of tunnel, 400 miles of road and over 20,000 miles of power line. The Board had to overcome adverse weather and thrawn geology, as well as political opposition. At the peak of construction the workforce numbered around 12,000 and included men from Ireland and many parts of Europe as well as indigenous Scots. They are all proud of what they achieved.
The Dam Builders: Power from the Glens
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Jim Miller has caught the flavour of those heady days. --Northern Times
a fascinating look at how the electricity scheme came about...Miller's book is well written and meticulously researched. --John O'Groat Journal
a fascinating look at how the electricity scheme came about...Miller's book is well written and meticulously researched. --John O'Groat Journal
About the Author
Jim Miller is the author of a number of books including Salt in the Blood, A Wild and Open Sea and Scapa. He lives near Inverness.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I got this book not long before starting a site role on the Glendoe Hydro scheme in june 2007. Not having much of a background in dam construction I found this is a great compilation of trivia, facts, and photographs from a golden age of construction in Scotland. I was amazed at how similar the conditions and methods were between those in the 40's and 50's and present day. I would highly recommend this for anyone interested in construction.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I bought this book (at full price since I wanted it for the holiday!) after visiting the Cruachan Dam Visitor Centre situated on the A85 on the North shore of Loch Awe - this was the first Hydro Power Station which generates electricty through the day and then pumps water back up to the reservoir at night on cheaper electricity. (A similar and much bigger and newer pumping station is in North Wales at Dinorwig.) The great joy of these stations is that they can be up run up to full capacity within minutes - not hours like coal or gas fired and longer for nuclear (I imagine).
The book is a fascinating story about the perseverance of one Tom Johnston who was appointed by Winston Churchill to get the Hydro schemes going. It was true foresight for the infrastructure that was built still serves us so well. Just as now, they met great opposition from the land owners and the green brigade who feared for the well being of the area. They need not have worried (is there a lesson here?) for the work they did has created some of the best scenery in Scotland - e.g.the Queen's View on Loch Tummel.
If you know and love the area you will enjoy this book for it is true pioneering work in some of the most difficult terrain in the UK. All built largely by dynamite and hand well before the advent of modern hydraulic JCB equipment. Health and Safety would have a fit at some of the conditions of work that the pictures reveal.
If it grips you further good reading is "the Hydro Boys" by Emma Wood - another good read.
The book is a fascinating story about the perseverance of one Tom Johnston who was appointed by Winston Churchill to get the Hydro schemes going. It was true foresight for the infrastructure that was built still serves us so well. Just as now, they met great opposition from the land owners and the green brigade who feared for the well being of the area. They need not have worried (is there a lesson here?) for the work they did has created some of the best scenery in Scotland - e.g.the Queen's View on Loch Tummel.
If you know and love the area you will enjoy this book for it is true pioneering work in some of the most difficult terrain in the UK. All built largely by dynamite and hand well before the advent of modern hydraulic JCB equipment. Health and Safety would have a fit at some of the conditions of work that the pictures reveal.
If it grips you further good reading is "the Hydro Boys" by Emma Wood - another good read.
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
the information in the book is an eye opener,the work they did and how they did it without machanical means in the 40's/50's,all hand work and scottish weather
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