The history of hydropower at Ardtornish; producing sustainable energy from our natural resources
The first Ardtornish hydro scheme was built in the late 19th century driven from water stored in the Craigbhea dam. It provided power for a sawmill, dairy cow feed processing machinery and a Gilkes turbine produced electricity for low-voltage lighting for Ardtornish House. It was replaced by a second Gilkes turbine in 1960, but this had fallen into disrepair by the late 1970’s.
Our manager Angus Robertson started investigating new hydro opportunities in 1986 and our first scheme was commissioned in 1996.
From 2010 onwards we developed our curent portfolio of five schemes, with the last compelted in 2018. They produce a total of around 12.5 Gigawatt hours each year (around ten times the amount of electricity used by Morvern).
How does hydropower work?
We aim to use the 90 inches of rain a year that we get here to produce energy in a way that doesn’t damage the environment. The rain fills our rivers and reservoirs, flows into carefully-placed pipelines (known as penstocks) and the weight of the water under the pressure caused by gravity then turns specially designed turbines.
Community Hydro Fund
We already pay benefits generated by Tearnait and Rannoch Hydro Schemes Morvern Community Trust (MCT). Ardtornish Estate was amongst the first private developers to commit to a scheme of this nature.
The application form and supporting guidance notes can be found by following the links below.
We already pay benefits generated by Tearnait and Rannoch Hydro Schemes to Morvern Community Trust (MCT). It has an application process of its own. Ardtornish Estate was among the first private developers to commit to a scheme of this nature.
With particular thanks…
Particular thanks must go to Angus Robertson and the team and community that is Ardtornish, including D. A. MacDonald Contractors, Kieron Hanson of Hydroplan, Gilbert Gilkes & Gordon, and Robin Bell.
Hydro Fund Grant Applications
February 2026 – CLAM. We awarded £1,400 towards the cost of replacing a community poly tunnel that was damaged during storm Amy
November 2025 – Rahoy Hill Nature reserve. We awarded £900 to help fund the ongoing work of the committee.
November 2025 – Lochaline Primary School. We awarded £400 towards their annual children’s Christmas party.
October 2025 – Helen Woolston. We awarded £395.89 towards the cost of a new projector.
June 2025 – CAOLAS. We awarded £1,200 to employ the specialist services of MTS CFD to assist in the Lochaline Native Oyster Project
May 2025 – Morvern Clay pigeon gun club. We awarded them £1,000 towards the cost of replacing their clay pigeon trap
March 2025 – Morvern Community Woodlands . We awarded £664.40 for 20 tonnes of type 1 gravel for the routine maintenance of community paths
November 2024 – Lochaline Primary School. We awarded the local primary school £320.00 towards their annual children’s Christmas party.
July 2024 – Lochaline village hall. We awarded them £5,000 to purchase new stackable tables & chairs.
April 2024 – Awarded the Ardnamurchan Provincial Mod £1,000. To assist with the provision of tuition, adjudication and performances which, together, contribute so much to the cultural and linguistic identity of the Gaeltachd.
February 2024 – Awarded the Morvern Gymnastics club £2,588 to purchase their own equipment to secure the long-term future of this group.
November 2023 – Lochaline Primary School – We awarded the local primary school £320.00 towards their annual children’s Christmas party.
June 2023 – Ardnamurchan High School – We awarded the local high school £250.00 towards the purchase of new shinty equipment.
March 2023 – Lochaline Primary School – We awarded the local primary school £353.57 to create a sensory zone in the school.
December 2022 – £3,127.60 Morvern Heritage Society – towards the Lochaline Mine Heritage Project.
November 2022 – £300.00 Lochaline Primary school Contribution towards their annual Christmas party.
October 2022 – CLAM – Community Land Association Morvern – We awarded this local organisation £250.00 to assist with the annual community bonfire.
November 2021 – £300.00 Lochaline Primary school Contribution towards their annual Christmas party.
October 2021 – £250.00 CLAM Sept – Community Land Association Morvern. We awarded this local organisation £250.00 to assist with the annual community bonfire.
September 2021 – £500 De Tha Dol community newspaper. To support this local publication that was struggling to meet raising costs.
August 2021 – £1,000 awarded Raleigh International. To help fund a local youth environmental study in the area.
August 2020 – £300 awarded to the “Leaving St Kilda” project, which brought together a collective of local artists and historians, to remember the 90th anniversary of the evacuation of St Kilda.
