Cruachan The Hollow Mountain - discover one of Scotland's most remarkable engineering achievements deep inside Ben Cruachan.
Cruachan The Hollow Mountain is a fascinating visitor attraction at Dalmally in Argyll, offering the opportunity to discover the extraordinary pumped storage hydro power station hidden deep inside Ben Cruachan. Opened in 1965, Cruachan Power Station was an ambitious feat of engineering, with enormous underground caverns excavated within the mountain to house the turbines and generating equipment.
Visitors can take a guided tour into the mountain, travelling by bus through a long access tunnel to explore the underground power station. Tours reveal how water stored in the Cruachan Reservoir high above the facility is used to generate electricity and how water can be pumped back uphill when demand is lower. The experience provides an unusual insight into hydroelectric power, renewable energy and the engineering required to construct a working power station inside a Scottish mountain.
The Cruachan Visitor Centre overlooks Loch Awe and provides exhibitions and information about the power station and its history, along with impressive views of the surrounding landscape. The visitor centre is accessible to wheelchair users, and accessible toilet facilities and parking are available. Access requirements for underground tours should be checked before booking, as the tour takes place within an operational power station and specific safety and accessibility conditions apply.
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