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Tummel Valley

Tummel hydro scheme

The Tummel scheme stretches from Dalwhinnie, famous for its whisky distillery, in the north, to the remote Rannoch Station in the west, and the town of Pitlochry in the east.

TUMMEL BRIDGE POWER STATION REFURBISHMENT

The iconic Tummel Bridge Power Station is currently undergoing a comprehensive refurbishment to ensure it can remain part of Scotland's energy mix for generations to come.

SSE Renewables has completed the first stage of repowering works at Tummel Bridge. Two turbines, which had been in operation since the power station started producing energy in 1933, have been removed and preparatory works to accommodate new machinery have been completed.

The installation of two bespoke turbines will take place in 2023. The new energy efficient turbines, specially designed to fit the available space at Tummel Bridge power station, will increase the facility’s potential output from 34 to 40 Megawatts.

Transportation of mechanical components to the Tummel Bridge site began in February 2023. Some components are required to travel under convoy to ensure their safe and efficient delivery.

Larger components will be transported under convoy along the A9 to Ballinluig, join the A827 for a short period, then use the unclassified road to the North of the River Tay from Pitnacree, through Strathtay, to the B846 at Weem. Most vehicles using this route will travel under escort.

THE NEXT ESCORTED COMPONENT DELIVERY IS SCHEDULED TO TRAVEL ALONG THE DESIGNATED ROUTE ON 2 JUNE 2023.

Click here to view a map of the delivery routes

Routine deliveries will travel to and from Tummel Bridge via the B8019 “Queens View” route or via the B846 from Aberfeldy.

Power stations

Power stations	Capacity (MW)	Gross head (metres)	Average annual output (million units)	Year completed
Gaur	7.5	30	21	1953
Cuaich	2.5	27	7	1959
Loch Ericht	2.2	55	12	1962
Rannoch	44	156	187	1930
Tummel	34	53	142	1933
Errochty	75	186	103	1957
Trinafour	0.5	91	3	1959
Clunie	61	53	186	1950
Pitlochry	15	15	60	1950

Major dams

Major dam	Type	Length	Height	Completed
Gaur	Concrete gravity	110	13	1958
Errochty	Buttress	501	49	1957
Clunie	Mass gravity	116	21	1951
Pitlochry	Mass gravity	145	16	1951

If you're interested in our hydro heritage, visit Pitlochry Dam Visitor Centre, located beside our Pitlochry Power Station in Perthshire, Scotland.

The visitor centre showcases the rich history of hydro electricity in the north of Scotland and how it transformed all our lives. On display are a number of fascinating artefacts that show how generations of homes have been transformed by electrical appliances.

Visitors will meet the visionaries, such as Tom Johnston, who saw the untapped potential of hydro power in Scotland as well as hear the stories of the Hydro Boys and Tunnel Tigers who lived – and sadly in some cases died – building the schemes.

Pitlochry’s ‘fish ladder’ was integral to the design for the hydro electricity scheme in the early 1950’s. Thousands visit the Dam to see the salmon swim to their breeding grounds up river and now everyone can learn the secrets of that incredible journey.