8.4.10 Public Utilities

During the 20th century, Perth and Kinross became significant for hydroelectric power (Historic Environment Scotland 2016). The first hydroelectric project in the region was initiated by the Duke of Atholl before the First World War, when a turbine was placed across the Banvie Burn to provide electricity for Blair Atholl (Liddell 2008). The 1930s and 1940s saw the development of commercial hydroelectric projects, leading to the creation of a new reservoir at Dunalastair (MPK11917), and the construction of dams and power stations in the vicinity of Lochs Ericht, Rannoch and Tummel (Liddell 2008). Following the Second World War, this scheme in the Tummel-Garry area was expanded, and the new Breadalbane hydroelectric scheme was begun. A wide range of structures, including dams, weirs, houses and fish ladders, were built in the mid-20th century for the hydroelectric industry. Many have received a degree of recording, but further study would be desirable.