Unknown Ardross Forest location 1984
The photograph was taken by the late Finlay MacRae who was a District Officer in the Forestry Commission based in Dingwall at the time. The images are courtesy of his daughter Donna.
A tranquil autumn scene across a lochan somewhere in Ardross area. Can anyone identify the location?
Subsequently Alasdair Cameron and Brian Fletcher have provided more information
Alasdair writes
"Brian Fletcher has identified this as the loch formed by the dam behind the Ardross steading that is now the Ardross Distillery and uses this water supply.
Originally formed to provide electricity to Ardross Castle in 1900.
*An early hydro scheme from 20th century. Water was supplied from Loch Dubh. Canmore 95787 has an old photo. An article in the Ross-shire Journal (14-12-1900) provides a very detailed description of the turbine house and its machinery, extracted from a comprehensive overview in Electrical Review v. 47, Nov 23 1900. The water was piped in cast iron pipes. The electricity was used for lighting and heating, and the castle also had an early electric car and electric player piano. The station preserves two turbines. The generators and switch board have had most of the copper removed but a maker’s plate (Gilbert Gilkes & Co, Kendal no. 269) remains which has a number on it which may be traceable. The power station was operational until a big storm in the early 1940s. (ARCH Ardross Heritage Project).
The charging point for the electric car was in the stable
Have a look at https://her.highland.gov.uk/Monument/MHG19823
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Groups: Forestry Areas