'Power Trail' launches at New Lanark and the Falls of Clyde
The project explores heritage, environment and hydro power through interactive learning.
A 'Power Trail' has officially launched at New Lanark and the Falls of Clyde – inviting schools, visitors and learners of all ages to explore the remarkable story of waterpower, from 18th-century cotton mills to 21st-century renewable energy.
On Monday, June 2, the public trail was officially launched at New Lanark with representatives from all partner organisations, as well as students and educators from Lanark Grammar School, who were among the first to explore the new trail in action.
The Power Trail follows a 1.2km walking route from New Lanark through the Falls of Clyde nature reserve, past Dundaff Linn, Bonnington Power Station, and up to Corra Linn. It includes 12 interpretation panels across eight key locations and takes around 45 minutes to complete.
Kate Lapping, head of heritage at New Lanark, said: 'We're delighted to have partnered on this project and are grateful for the opportunity to further develop our visitor experiences. This initiative will not only explore our onsite heritage but also highlight its connections to the wider community and environment.'
The trail has been developed as part of the Vision for Lanark initiative and is a partnership between Lanark Community Development Trust, Drax, New Lanark Trust, and the Scottish Wildlife Trust.
It has received funding from Drax Group, operators of Bonnington Power Station, and SSE's Sustainable Development Fund, which also supported the creation of linked STEM education resources.
Sylvia Russell, chairman of Lanark Community Development Trust, said: 'As chairman of Lanark Community Development Trust I would like to thank our partners, New Lanark Trust and Scottish Wildlife Trust, for their help and support in bringing this project to completion.
'We are also very grateful to Drax and SSE for their generous grant funding. We hope that visitors to New Lanark will find the new trail interesting and informative and that school groups will make use of the excellent STEM teaching resources.'
The Power Trail has been carefully developed to support school group learning, introducing learners to three core themes: heritage, environment, and hydro-electricity. The accompanying digital STEM resources are designed for use in the classroom to enhance onsite visits or support remote learning, making the trail's themes accessible beyond the walk itself.
While designed with educational groups in mind, the trail is open to all visitors and learners. Whether walking the trail or engaging with the digital content, the Power Trail encourages everyone to discover the story of waterpower and its relevance to Scotland's past, present, and future.
The project has three core themes:
■ Heritage –Learn how 18th-century engineering innovation powered the cotton mills of New Lanark and discover 250 years of hydro technology.
■ Environment – Explore the Falls of Clyde and the Clyde Valley Woodlands National Nature Reserve, home to ancient forests and diverse wildlife.
■ Hydro-Electricity – Visit one of the UK's earliest hydro-electric power stations, still generating clean energy today, and consider hydro's role in Scotland's energy future.
Sarah Cameron, Scotland community manager at Drax, said: 'Drax are delighted to support the development of the Power Trail, as our Lanark Hydro scheme approaches its 100th anniversary. We hope all visitors following the trail enjoy learning about how Bonnington Power station operates using the River Clyde.'
Michael Shanks, MP for Rutherglen & Minister for Energy, added: 'This exciting new trail showcases New Lanark's incredible heritage in the development of some of our first renewables – an early marker of Scotland's potential to generate clean power. Hydro schemes continue to play a critical role in our energy mix, and being able to see the journey of this technology through the centuries is a great opportunity.'
Jamie Clarkson, ASC and geography teacher at Lanark Grammar, said: 'The pupils all commented that they liked seeing all the different parts of the trail, especially the water wheel, turbine and the waterfall. They all came away saying that they had learned something new, and they were full of smiles for the rest of the afternoon. Definitely a great wee afternoon out for them all.'
And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Daily Record
'Power Trail' launches at New Lanark and the Falls of Clyde
The project explores heritage, environment and hydro power through interactive learning. A 'Power Trail' has officially launched at New Lanark and the Falls of Clyde – inviting schools, visitors and learners of all ages to explore the remarkable story of waterpower, from 18th-century cotton mills to 21st-century renewable energy. On Monday, June 2, the public trail was officially launched at New Lanark with representatives from all partner organisations, as well as students and educators from Lanark Grammar School, who were among the first to explore the new trail in action. The Power Trail follows a 1.2km walking route from New Lanark through the Falls of Clyde nature reserve, past Dundaff Linn, Bonnington Power Station, and up to Corra Linn. It includes 12 interpretation panels across eight key locations and takes around 45 minutes to complete. Kate Lapping, head of heritage at New Lanark, said: 'We're delighted to have partnered on this project and are grateful for the opportunity to further develop our visitor experiences. This initiative will not only explore our onsite heritage but also highlight its connections to the wider community and environment.' The trail has been developed as part of the Vision for Lanark initiative and is a partnership between Lanark Community Development Trust, Drax, New Lanark Trust, and the Scottish Wildlife Trust. It has received funding from Drax Group, operators of Bonnington Power Station, and SSE's Sustainable Development Fund, which also supported the creation of linked STEM education resources. Sylvia Russell, chairman of Lanark Community Development Trust, said: 'As chairman of Lanark Community Development Trust I would like to thank our partners, New Lanark Trust and Scottish Wildlife Trust, for their help and support in bringing this project to completion. 'We are also very grateful to Drax and SSE for their generous grant funding. We hope that visitors to New Lanark will find the new trail interesting and informative and that school groups will make use of the excellent STEM teaching resources.' The Power Trail has been carefully developed to support school group learning, introducing learners to three core themes: heritage, environment, and hydro-electricity. The accompanying digital STEM resources are designed for use in the classroom to enhance onsite visits or support remote learning, making the trail's themes accessible beyond the walk itself. While designed with educational groups in mind, the trail is open to all visitors and learners. Whether walking the trail or engaging with the digital content, the Power Trail encourages everyone to discover the story of waterpower and its relevance to Scotland's past, present, and future. The project has three core themes: ■ Heritage –Learn how 18th-century engineering innovation powered the cotton mills of New Lanark and discover 250 years of hydro technology. ■ Environment – Explore the Falls of Clyde and the Clyde Valley Woodlands National Nature Reserve, home to ancient forests and diverse wildlife. ■ Hydro-Electricity – Visit one of the UK's earliest hydro-electric power stations, still generating clean energy today, and consider hydro's role in Scotland's energy future. Sarah Cameron, Scotland community manager at Drax, said: 'Drax are delighted to support the development of the Power Trail, as our Lanark Hydro scheme approaches its 100th anniversary. We hope all visitors following the trail enjoy learning about how Bonnington Power station operates using the River Clyde.' Michael Shanks, MP for Rutherglen & Minister for Energy, added: 'This exciting new trail showcases New Lanark's incredible heritage in the development of some of our first renewables – an early marker of Scotland's potential to generate clean power. Hydro schemes continue to play a critical role in our energy mix, and being able to see the journey of this technology through the centuries is a great opportunity.' Jamie Clarkson, ASC and geography teacher at Lanark Grammar, said: 'The pupils all commented that they liked seeing all the different parts of the trail, especially the water wheel, turbine and the waterfall. They all came away saying that they had learned something new, and they were full of smiles for the rest of the afternoon. Definitely a great wee afternoon out for them all.' And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.
BBC News
07-05-2025
- BBC News
'Hollow Mountain' hydro power plant expansion put on hold
Major hydro power plant expansion put on hold 9 minutes ago Share Save Share Save Getty Images The existing power station at Ben Cruachan involves a 46m-long dam The operator of an underground power station at Scotland's "Hollow Mountain" has put on hold its plans for a major expansion of the site. Renewables developer Drax had proposed building a new hydro-electric facility next to its existing complex inside Ben Cruachan, near Dalmally in Argyll. But it said the costs of the project had risen and it would not be bidding for UK government support at this time. The company said the expansion could potentially go-ahead in the future, "subject to an appropriate balance of risk and return". The existing underground power station was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1965. At the time, it was the first large-scale reversible turbine storage energy project of its kind in the world. It is housed within a huge cavern dug out inside Ben Cruachan, which is nicknamed Hollow Mountain because of the project. Drax had proposed investing £500m in the construction project over seven years. Last year, it completed initial design and engineering work for a 600MW expansion of Cruachan. The company said: "Drax believes that the Cruachan II project is well aligned with the long-term system need for flexible generation and energy storage and, given its location, is well placed to support system constraints between Scotland and England." It added: "Drax remains committed to disciplined capital expenditure which seeks to balance the risk and return of individual projects against other uses of capital, to maximise value." Scenes for Star Wars series Andor were filmed at Cruachan. The makers of the show said the underground power station - and its 316m (1,037ft), 46m (15ft) long dam - had the look it had been aspiring to capture for an episode called The Eye. Production designer Luke Hull told BBC Scotland News in 2022: "If you look at the dam, it looks like Darth Vader's mask."
Scotsman
04-05-2025
- Scotsman
Star Wars Day: Force is strong at Drax's Cruachan Power Station
Cruachan Power Station filming location for Star Wars series Andor episodeThe Eye | Disney Plus May the 4th be with you! Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... It's Star Wars Day and the Force is strong at Scotland's Drax owned Cruachan Power Station. The so-called Hollow Mountain, Ben Cruachan, in Argyll and Bute, was carved out to host the facility and recently made the jump to hyperspace-level fame thanks to its starring role in the Disney+ Star Wars TV series Andor. It appeared as the Empire's supply hub on the planet Aldhani. Today Graham Walker shines a lightsaber on the iconic location as the 60-year-old power station sparkles celebrating its diamond anniversary. In episode six of Andor, titled The Eye, eagle-eyed fans might recognise the rugged, otherworldly terrain of the Scottish Highlands and the looming silhouette of a dam straight out of the Galactic Empire's design playbook. Cruachan Power Station with is otherworldly terrain was used as a filming location for Star Wars series Andor | Drax That's no CGI – that's the 316-metre-long Cruachan Dam, standing like a Rebel fortress against the landscape. The surrounding moorlands and the underground lair of the power station itself were used to bring the planet Aldhani to life on screen. But that was science fiction. The science fact is even more out of this world. Forget green screens, real power flows at Cruachan Power Station. It generates up to 440 megawatts of electricity in seconds – enough to power almost 1 million homes at lightspeed. Cruachan Power Station turbines generate up to 440 megawatts of electricity in seconds – enough to power almost 1 million homes at lightspeed. | Drax This marvel of futuristic power tech is more than worthy of Jedi status. It's a real-life Force for good. A long time ago, in a galaxy not so far away – the mountain was hollowed out not by Jedi or Sith, but by Scottish engineers wielding something just as powerful as the Force - hydroelectric innovation. Cruachan, built between 1959 and 1965, is one of only four pumped-storage hydroelectric power stations in the UK, buried one kilometre inside solid granite, behind a massive tunnel entrance that looks ready to launch X-Wings at any moment. Cruachan Power Station was opened by by Queen Elizabeth II on October 15, 1965 | Drax Inside it's more spaceship hangar than power station. With towering turbines, echoing tunnels, and flashing lights, it's no wonder Lucasfilm scouts saw it as an ideal Star Wars was a jaw-dropping concept – an underground power station carved into the heart of a mountain; the first reversible pumped storage hydro system in the galaxy. At 118ft high and nearly 300ft long, the size of a football pitch and high enough to house the Tower of London, the cavernous machine hall is home to its four water powered generators. It was bought in December 2018 by renewable energy company Drax and is one of just four pumped storage hydro stations in the storage is one of the oldest forms of large-scale energy storage requiring two reservoirs based at different altitudes, but close to each other. Sitting on Loch Awe, Cruachan fits the bill perfectly and as the home to one of the wettest areas in Europe, it is a prime location for pumped stores energy by pumping water from Loch Awe up to a reservoir nestled 396 metres above sea level. Drax Cruachan Power Station under construction ahead of its opening in 1965 | Drax When demand surges, like when everyone makes tea during a Star Wars TV ad break, water is released from the upper reservoir, through a turbine and into the lower reservoir. The flow rotates the turbine which in turn rotates a generator to produce electricity. Electricity from the grid can then be used to drive the turbine in the opposite direction, to pump water from the lower reservoir back up into the upper reservoir. Pumped storage provides extremely quick back-up during periods of excess demand by maintaining stability on the National Grid. Cruachan can reach full load in 30 seconds and can maintain its maximum power production for more than 16 hours if necessary. It can also help solve intermittency issues with other forms of renewable power, that is, when the wind doesn't blow and the sun doesn't shine. For these reasons, Cruachan was awarded a six year contract to keep the electricity system stable stable, by providing services such as inertia and reactive power. The Force is strong with water from the reservoir rotating turbines at Cruachan Power Station to power almost 1 million homes | Alamy Construction involved the excavation of 220,000 cubic metres of rock and soil and around 1,500 workers were employed at the peak of this major civil engineering project. The reservoir has a storage capacity of 10 million m³ of water and has a catchment area of 23km². It's also a Jedi masterclass in sustainability. As the grid fluctuates with renewables like solar and wind, Cruachan steps in to balance it – literally storing energy for a rainy in Scotland, just another Sunday. If the Empire had Cruachan, the Death Star might've run on renewable energy. A long time ago, in a galaxy not so far away – Scottish mountain Ben Cruachan in Argyll and Bute was hollowed out to create Cruachan Power Station | Drax Drax is currently upgrading units 3 and 4 at Cruachan Power Station. With increasing need for clean, flexible power, this mountain of might could become even more vital in the galactic battle against climate change. The project will increase the power station's generating capacity by almost 10%, allowing to power an extra 90,000 homes. It comes at a critical time for the UK's energy system. The UK Government has set an ambition for a clean power system by 2030 that will see wind and solar energy become the backbone of the electricity system. Pumped storage hydro power stations, like Cruachan, will play a critical back-up role when the sun doesn't shine, and wind doesn't blow. Mike Wynd, Drax's Head of Hydro, said: "While we celebrate the 60th anniversary, we will be starting a major upgrade of the power station. The centrepiece is a major refurbishment of Cruachan's generating units 3 and 4 – the machinery which creates electricity as water rushes through its turbines. The units were commissioned in 1965 and contain parts, including their turbines, some of which are now 60 years old. Cruachan Power Station walkway in the Hollow Mountain of Ben Cruachan in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. | Drax 'The refurbishment is expected to take around three years with approximately 100 contractors on site, and we're actively working to use local companies where we can. "We will be replacing the huge valves that control the waterflow through the turbines. Each valve weighs as much as three double decker buses, and in a minute can allow enough water to flow through to fill an Olympic swimming pool. 'Plus, we will be installing a new transformer, which transfers electricity from the station to the grid and, from there, into TVs, kettles, offices and factories". So this May the 4th, while you're rewatching Andor or dusting off your droid collection, raise a glass of blue milk to Cruachan Power Station – where science fiction meets science fact, and where Scotland's own Hollow Mountain reminds us that some of the most incredible forces in the galaxy are right here in Scotland.
