SSE is marking 70 years since Invergarry Power Station first came online, celebrating a cornerstone of the Great Glen Hydro Scheme that helped deliver clean electricity and economic opportunity across the Highlands.

Officially opened on 5 October 1956, Invergarry was built during a transformative era that turned the Highlands into one of Europe's largest construction sites. Developed alongside dozens of other schemes by the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board, it harnessed local water resources to provide dependable, low-carbon power while supporting jobs and investment in surrounding communities.

As part of the wider Great Glen Hydro Scheme, Invergarry formed a network of hydro stations linked by the Highland Grid transmission system, enabling renewable electricity generated in some of Scotland's most remote areas to reach homes, businesses and communities across the north of the country.

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The creation of Scotland's hydro-electric network stands among the nation's most significant engineering achievements. Across the programme, 54 power stations and 78 dams were constructed, leaving a legacy that continues to underpin Scotland's energy system today.

Robert Bryce, Director of Hydro at SSE Renewables, said: "Invergarry has been part of Scotland's energy story for 70 years. Built during a period of unprecedented hydro-electric development in the Highlands, the station helped unlock the potential of the Great Glen and has been generating renewable electricity ever since.

"What makes Invergarry special is not just its history, but its continued contribution today. Seventy years after it first entered service, it remains an active part of our hydro fleet, helping provide renewable, flexible power as we build the clean electricity system needed for the future."

Gillian O'Reilly, Head of Heritage at SSE, said: "The story of Invergarry reflects a period when engineering ambition transformed communities across the Highlands. The photographs, plans and records held in our archive capture the scale of the construction effort and pay tribute to the people who helped make these pioneering schemes a reality.

"Anniversaries like this provide an opportunity to connect the past with the present. Invergarry remains a working power station today, demonstrating how infrastructure built generations ago continues to support Scotland's energy needs while offering lessons and inspiration for the projects being developed now."

Invergarry continues to play an active role in SSE's hydro fleet, generating renewable electricity and exemplifying the enduring value of infrastructure built with a long-term vision as new hydro developments progress.