> Home
> About Us
> Reports / Photos
> Contact
> Links
> Miscellaneous
|
Tucked away behind a hydro-electric power station in the Scottish village of Kinlochleven, a series of water pipes disappear through a woodland cutting, up to the Blackwater Reservoir.
Built between 1905 and 1909, the reservoir provided water for the still-operational hydro-electric plant, which in turn powered the village's aluminium smelting works, which closed down in June 2000. The power produced is now used by another smelting works in the nearby town of Fort William.
NOTE: all enlarged images open in a pop-up window, so blocking software should be switched off.
 |
Image reference: CRW_2096
[ Click image to enlarge ]
The original hydro-electric plant at the bottom of the hillside. The smelting works has now be converted or, in some places, demolished. |
Image reference: CRW_2112
[ Click image to enlarge ]
The view from behind the hydro-electric plant as the pipes descend from the hillside, full of high-pressure water from the reservoir. |
 |
 |
Image reference: CRW_2122
[ Click image to enlarge ]
In between two of the pipes, as they enter the concrete connecting blocks. These are spaced at regular intervals along the entire length of the pipeline. |
Image reference: CRW_2129
[ Click image to enlarge ]
A close-up view of the pipe as it connects with the concrete conecting block. In some places the pipes are covered in rust, whist in others, they appear very well maintained. |
 |
 |
Image reference: CRW_2138
[ Click image to enlarge ]
One of the leaking sections of pipe. The high pressure of the water is evident here, with a large jet spraying out of a small fracture. |
Image reference: CRW_2139
[ Click image to enlarge ]
Another view of the rusty, leaking pipes. |
 |
 |
Image reference: CRW_2141
[ Click image to enlarge ]
However, these somewhat ugly structures can provide stunning images on a sunny day - with the sunlight hitting the fine mist of water, a double-rainbow formed over the plants which are growing in the saturated soil below. |
Image reference: CRW_2147
[ Click image to enlarge ]
Yet another view of the leak! |
 |
< Back
........................................................................................................................................................
|
