Inside the Hollow Mountain
Our Visitor Centre Experience
The cavernous machine hall is located a kilometre inside the solid rock of Ben Cruachan
Our Visitor Centre introduces you to the mountain and shares the story of the power station – from its initial construction to its current role generating on demand electricity for Scotland.
Or learn more via our hydro hub.
Our power station tours into the mountain are currently suspended as we undertake a project to upgrade two units in the existing Cruachan facility, plus a project to build new 600 MW power station adjacent to the existing underground plant. This facility will effectively more than double the site’s total generation capacity to more than 1 GW and should be online in the 2030s.
Cruachan Visitor Centre allows children and adults to learn all about how electricity can be quickly generated using the power of water. Our interactive educational exhibition helps explain the history of Cruachan, as well as inspire future engineers.
Explore Ben Cruachan Dam, reservoir and mountain
Cruachan Dam and reservoir
Cruachan Dam is a marvel of modern engineering in a breathtaking location on the slopes of Ben Cruachan. A crucial part of the pumped-hydro power station, it offers stunning views across the reservoir and the surrounding Highlands.
The buttress-style dam is 316 metres long and 46 meters high at its tallest point. The reservoir contained behind the dam can store more than 10 million cubic metres of water. Its natural catchment area is increased to a 23 km2 radius through 19 km of tunnels and piped aqueducts diverting rainwater and streams.
For information on general public access to the dam, please view our policy here.
The dam and reservoir are not accessible by car, but there are several walking routes by which visitors can access them:
Easy route – From Loch Awe Village
From the Visitor Centre, turn right and drive to Loch Awe Village. After the 30 mph sign, take the first road on the left signposted St Conan’s Road where there is a small car park for the village. From here a three-mile-long road leads to the dam. The road has a good surface all the way and climbs gradually across the hillside.
Steep route – From the Visitor Centre
The path begins at the Falls of Cruachan Railway Station, 200 metres along the road from the Visitor Centre. Climb the steps to the railway station and go through the blue gate under the railway line. The path ascends steeply through woodland, crosses a stile over a deer fence and onto open hillside. Please note that this path is steep and ascends 400 metres (1,312 feet), making sturdy footwear essential.
Hiking Tips
Wear sturdy
footwear
Bring a bottle
of water
Plan ahead
of time
Wear waterproof
clothing
Ben Cruachan
At 1,126 metres (3,694 feet), Ben Cruachan is classed as one of the finest Munros in the Southern Highlands and is popular with hillwalkers and climbers. Its pointed peak towers above its rocky satellites and offers spectacular views. A ridge walk to the neighbouring peak of Stob Diamh provides a circular route around the Cruachan reservoir which takes between seven and nine hours to complete and covers a distance of 8.5 miles.
The walk is classed as ‘hard’ and includes steep and rocky paths with a small section of easy scrambling.
The descent covers a grassy slope which can be boggy.
Hillwalking essentials, including sturdy boots, a map, compass, torch, whistle and warm, waterproof clothing are all a must for safety on Cruachan as the weather is unpredictable – even in the height of summer.
All visitors are welcome to visit the Hollow Mountain Cafe in the Visitor Centre for refreshments whether they are part of a tour group or not.
Hiking Tips
Wear sturdy
footwear
Bring a map
Carry a
compass
Be equipped
with a torch
Have a whistle
on hand
Wear waterproof
clothing