Lower Fall at Foyers

Lower Fall at Foyers

ID: QZP40_350_P324 DESCRIPTION: There are two waterfalls on the River Foyers before it reaches Loch Ness. The first is 30ft (9m) and the second is 90ft (27m). The falls were used to generate the first hydro-electric power in Britain in 1896 when they powered an aluminium smelter. In 1969 the Foyers power station was established as a pump storage scheme. This means that when the station has produced a surplus of energy, water can be pumped back up to Loch Mhor at the top, ready for the next time energy generating is required. The Falls of Foyers have been tamed slightly since the coming of hydro-electricity and are less spectacular than they were when Robert Burns visited and wrote a poem about the falls. ('Line on the Fall of Fyres, near Loch Ness. Written with a pencil on the spot.') Despite this they are still an awe-inspiring sight. This illustration was taken from T. Garnett's 'Observations on a tour through the Highlands' PLACENAME: Falls of Foyers OLD COUNTY/PARISH: INVERNESS DATE OF IMAGE: 1800 PERIOD: 1800s SOURCE: Highland Libraries COLLECTION: Fraser Mackintosh Collection (illustrations) Asset ID: 31126 KEYWORDS: