Loch Tearnait Hydro Scheme 08.06.10
Our funding agreement with the Clydesdale Bank fell into place in late March and we have been full speed on the Loch Tearnait scheme since. As of early June, the road to Tearnait and new power house site are complete, and an argocat-style track has been constructed to the far intakes (6 and 7 on the plan above). The aqueduct pipes are on site and the contractors starting work in these intakes, to be followed by the main intake at the mouth of Loch Tearnait. Scottish and Southern Electricity are about to commence the upgrade work on the electrical overhead line across the heart of the estate (from Craigendarroch to the Rannoch powerhouse). When intakes are in place we start work on the main pipeline, powerhouse and underground grid connection. The turbine is due early in 2011, and we hope to be up and running by April.
Following the record-breaking rainfall and electricity production in 2009, we have had one of the driest spells in living memory, with very little rain or power production since mid-December. Our income is down but our morale is up because the wonderful weather makes construction so much easier - not to mention life in general.
While some of our regular visitors to the estate have been critical of the impact of the new road to Tearnait, most have been sympathetic and many have praised the effort we have made to fit the road into the landscape. I would welcome comments from readers who visit the site in the coming months (angus@ardtornish.co.uk).
Angus Robertson
