Name: Pitlochry Dam Visitor Centre
Rating: 5.0

Pitlochry Dam Visitor Centre

Armoury Road, Pitlochry, Perth and Kinross, PH16 5AP, Scotland

1-90 Years

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Description

Pitlochry Dam Visitor Centre is a fascinating attraction in the heart of Scotland, offering insight into the country’s hydro-electric history and renewable energy story. Overlooking the River Tummel and Loch Faskally, it combines education, engineering and beautiful Highland scenery. It’s an engaging stop for families, nature lovers and anyone curious about green energy.

Inside, visitors can explore interactive exhibitions about the Tummel Valley hydro scheme, which began generating power in 1950 and still supplies electricity to around 15,000 homes each year. You can learn about the famous fish ladder with its 34 pools that has helped over 250,000 salmon migrate safely upstream, discover the story of the “Hydro Boys” who built Scotland’s dams and tunnels, and watch a special documentary about the massive engineering achievements of the 1940s and 1950s. Exhibits also highlight green energy in Scotland and how habitats and wildlife are carefully managed around hydro projects.

Entry to the visitor centre is completely free, making it an excellent value day out. Visitors can enjoy the exhibitions at no cost, with optional spending available at the on-site café offering drinks, cakes and light meals.

With its mix of history, innovation and natural beauty, Pitlochry Dam Visitor Centre offers both learning and relaxation in one visit. Whether you’re watching salmon navigate the ladder, exploring renewable energy displays or simply enjoying the scenic views, it’s a rewarding and informative Highland experience.

Features

Free
Host birthday parties: No

Features

Pitlochry Dam: Pitlochry dam and power station started generating in 1950 and is one of nine stations in the Tummel Valley scheme. Every year, this station’s two turbines still meet the energy needs of some 15,000 homes. For the station’s 70th anniversary in 2021 a virtual tour was created to help illustrate how important Pitlochry is in the Tummel-Garry scheme and also a timeline showcasing its history over the last 7 decades.
Salmon Life Cycle: Salmon and sea trout return to breed in the rivers where they hatched but they have to bypass the dam first. Parliament also required hydro-electric schemes in the Highlands to safeguard fish stocks. So engineers designed Pitlochry’s famous fish ladder, with its thirty-four tiered pools that safely shepherd them upriver and homeward. Screens keep large fish away from the turbines so that young fish can pass safely through the turbines on their return to the sea. The fish-friendly design of the blades acts like a revolving door and Pitlochry’s salmon ladder has been crossed by over 250,000 salmon since it was built in 1952.
Power from the Glens: In the 1940s and 1950s, ambitious vision and back-breaking work resulted in massive hydro schemes being built in the Highlands. Following the passage of the Hydro Electric Development (Scotland) Act in 1943, affordable electricity transformed the way people lived and worked. Lives were lost as world records fell, but within a decade, the Hydro Boys and Tunnel Tigers brought a reliable source of power to three-quarters of Scotland that would transform lives forever. A total of 54 power stations, 78 dams and 300km of tunnels were built during this intensive period of engineering across the Highlands. Come to the visitor centre to hear for yourself their inspiring story in a special nine-minute documentary film.
Green Energy in Scotland: Scotland’s weather and its unique landscape makes it the best place in Britain for hydro power. The Tummel Valley Scheme collects water from 1,800 square km of the Grampian Mountains. Engineers designed the scheme so that water cascades downhill through a series of reservoirs and power stations. The same water generates power up to five times on its journey from the Highlands to the sea. Hydropower represents one form of green energy that supplies homes in Scotland and it’s no surprise that our other main natural resource is wind. Wind turbines provide most of the renewable energy produced here.
Managing Habitats: Before SSE start any new project, specialists survey the area’s species and habitats to ensure turbines, roads and power lines avoid sensitive areas. Once built, our experts actively oversee the natural heritage at our sites to ensure the lasting legacy is always a positive one for wildlife. SSE has been involved in managing the habitats of a range of different species from salmon to ducks to eagles but the goal is always the same – to ensure that SSE balances out our customers’ need for power with the needs of the local flora and fauna.

Facilities

Parking: The Visitor Centre has ample car parking and disabled spaces are available.
Food & Drinks: Enjoy freshly brewed coffee, tea and be tempted by cakes, scones and our delicious deli menu – all set to the stunning backdrop of the River Tummel and Loch Faskally below.

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Price

Price: Free

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Our current opening hours are Wednesday to Sunday 10.00am – 4.30pm. We are closed on a Monday and Tuesday.
There may be times where it’s not possible to open or our hours need to change so we advise if you are travelling some distance to check on our social channels or by calling 01796 484111 before leaving.

Address: Armoury Road, Pitlochry, Perth and Kinross, PH16 5AP, Scotland

Post Code: PH16 5AP

Council: Perth and Kinross

County: Perth and Kinross

By Car: The Visitor Centre has ample car parking and disabled spaces are available.
By Bike: The Visitor Centre is located directly on National Cycle Route 7.
By Bus: Buses to Pitlochry are available from various locations throughout Scotland.
By Train: Pitlochry Train Station is a 14 minute walk from the Visitor Centre.