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Foyers aluminium smelting works - Loch Ness

In 1895 the North British Aluminium Company started to make use of the River Foyers to generate electricity needed to process aluminium at a plant on the shore of Loch Ness. Production ceased in 1967 and the plant was then used briefly to build narrow boats for English canals. In 1973 the power generation equipment was enlarged and upgraded to produce hydro electric power feeding the national grid. Water comes from Loch Mhor, located just beyond the hills via a 3km, 7 metre wide tunnel with a 112.8 metre drop at the end to generate the power required for the 2 turbines. During the night, water is pumped back up to Loch Mhor, ready to produce electricity for the next day. This causes the level of Loch Ness to rise and fall by several inches every day, creating a mini tide!