Site Records

Clachan Power Station - The power station: entrance

Whilst the control rooms, transformers, and switchgear are out in the open at Clachan...

... the main part of the station is underground, inside the hill. It was the first and only underground station in the UK to be built by the 'cut and cover' method - a big hole was dug, a concrete roof was made over it, and the contours of the ground restored. (All other underground power stations were built deeper, by boring a tunnel and excavating a cavern to house the machinery.) A wide portal provides access:

Looking through the gate, the wooden doors to the station lie a short distance ahead. Out of view on the left wall, a small personnel door is the usual means of access to the station. The gate on the right wall of the access tunnel gives access to the tailrace and stoplog gate machinery.

Looking through the gate on the right, the stoplog winch is visible (the stoplog gate is provided to close off the draft tube from the permanently-drowned tailrace, so that the draft tube and turbines may be dewatered for maintenance)

You can continue the tour and explore the interior of the power station by clicking HERE

Words and images © 2003 Michael J. Ross