Torr Achilty Power Station And Dam, Conon Valley Hydro Electric Scheme

James Shearer (architect for North of Scotland Hydro Electric Board architectural panel), dated 1955. Large roughly L-plan power station in modernist vernacular style with tall single storey turbine hall to rear and 2-storey office block; all integrated into concrete mass gravity dam with central Borland fish lift. Set within broad gorge on River Conon.

POWER STATION: snecked random sandstone rubble and sandstone ashlar dressings. Banded base course, banded cill course to turbine hall and overhanging eaves course. SE (ENTRANCE) ELEVATION: full height canted window to adjacent recessed bay containing main entrance doorway in chamfered ashlar surround with carved panel above depicting North of Scotland Hydro Electric Board coat of arms. Deeply recessed bays to right (NE) with large rectangular small-pane windows to turbine hall. SW ELEVATION: advanced 2-storey block to right (SE) with rectangular windows, those to ground floor in continuous sandstone surround, flanked by single blind bay to far right. Recessed section to left containing large vehicular access doorway in recessed sandstone surround with transomed rectangular fanlight above. Slightly advanced terminal bay (terminated by dam wall) with single of-centre rectangular window.

Predominantly small pane metal glazing in painted metal surrounds with some hopper top openings. Recessed platform roof with integrated rainwater goods.

INTERIOR: large entrance area with open stair leading to former control room, board room and offices on 2nd floor. Further offices to left (SE) at ground floor. Large tall single storey turbine hall to rear of predominantly functional design with large overhead gantry crane and supporting piers to side walls. Twin turbines recessed in deep turbine pits.

DAM: concrete mass gravity dam, integrated with rear of power station to centre. Vehicular access deck oversailing fixed spillway to right (NE) on slender concrete piers. Large buttressed section to centre incorporating Borland fish lift. Plain elevation to left (SW) with battered profile to lower section of downstream face.