Arrochar & Tarbet Community Development Trust

24/03/2026

Sloy Power Station at Loch Lomond is the largest conventional hydro power station in the UK, with 152.5 MW capacity, operating since 1950. It is the earliest example of the work of the North of Scotland Hydro Electric Board (NoSHEB) of power in Scotland.

Michael Shanks MP, UK Energy Minster, visited our Sloy Power Station located on the banks of Loch Lomond and was provided with a tour from colleagues from SS...

12/03/2026

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1640513163970044/?fs=e&fs=e

04/03/2026

https://www.sserenewables.com/news-and-views/2026/02/sse-reinforces-leadership-in-community-investment-funding-with-2026-plans/

· At least £11.5 million will be invested across Scottish Communities through Renewables Community Funds

02/03/2026

NO POST OFFICE THIS WEEK

We are sorry but there will be NO POST OFFICE at the 3 Villages Hall this Wednesday 4th March. Andrea is having essential upgrade work done on her Post Office equipment at Crianlarich that day and can't travel down to us. Back the following week on 11 Match

01/03/2026

A shocking development regarding all Scottish hydro schemes:

Assessor accused of attempted “extortion and bullying” after telling businesses fresh bills will be scrapped...

01/03/2026

We all mourn any losses such as this, and at the same time, we sincerely thank our Arrochar Mt. Rescue team and all of our police and maritime support.

The team were called to assist Police Scotland in the search for a missing 64-year-old hill walker in the Arrochar area earlier this week.

This was a multi-agency response involving the Oban Mountain Rescue Team, Lomond Mountain Rescue Team, Search & Rescue Dog Association (Scotland), and a helicopter from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

After two days of extensive searching, the hill walker was located by a SARDA dog team in Coiregrogain. Tragically, he had already passed away when he was discovered.

This was a deeply sad outcome for everyone involved. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences remain with his family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.

15/02/2026

SSE recently distributed over £80 million to Scottish communities and celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Sloy Power Station.

05/02/2026

2025-26 Hydro News in Argyll:

A serious safety incident occurred in Sept 2025 at the iconic "Hollow Mountain" Cruachan Power Station. Workers evacuated from the Cruachan pumped storage hydro station, inside Ben Cruachan, after a report of an "explosion" and detected smoke. The site was safely evacuated with no injuries, and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service monitored the site to prevent a fire. An investigation was immediately launched into the cause by owner Drax.

In May 2025, Drax put plans on hold for a £500m expansion of the Cruachan facility due to rising costs and unfavorable market conditions. Despite the pause in new construction, an £80 million refurbishment of the existing station will go ahead to improve efficiency and longevity.

A new hydro scheme in Glen Fyne was opened, providing enough power for over 800 homes.

Plans are moving forward for a new large-scale, 1.5GW pumped storage hydro project at Loch Awe (previously Red John), now taken over by Statkraft.

A proposed hydro scheme near Arrochar (Balliemeanoch) has faced objections regarding its impact on nature, including the loss of blanket bog and habitat for protected species.

SSE Transmission has received a green light for the 275kV upgrade connecting Creag Dhubh to Inveraray, essential for transporting renewable energy.

In February 2026, reports emerged that 350 jobs are at risk across the Drax Group as the company restructures UK and North American operations, yet at the same time, proposed expansion projects, if they proceed, are expected to generate close to 700 jobs.