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Photographs documenting the construction of the Lochaber Water Project

 Collection
Identifier: Coll-2902

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of 123 silver gelatin photographs documenting the construction of the Lochaber Water Project (also known as the Lochaber hydroelectric scheme). The photographs date from 1925 to 1930, although the scheme itself was built between 1924 and 1943. The photographs are divided in three groups, and most are dated and annotated. Includes three panoramas, one of which is framed, and a newspaper double spread from The Sphere dated 7 December 1929, about the Lochaber Water construction works and entitled "Tunnelling under Ben Nevis in Wintry Weather".

  1. Loose photographs, with red album cover labelled "1. Lochaber Water Power Photographs Shewing [sic] Progress": no.1 (dated Jan. 1925) to no. 39 (dated 29/05/1925) , plus no. 114 (dated 10/05/1927). Index covering no. 1 to no. 36.
  2. Loose photographs, with red album cover labelled "3. Lochaber Water Power Photographs Shewing [sic] Progress": no. 79 (dated 22/12/1926) to no. 118 (dated 11/05/1927). Index covering no. 87 to no. 118. Three panoramas: no. 87 and 97 (folded), and no. 85 (in a frame).
  3. Black album labelled (label has come loose) "7. L. W. P. Progress Photographs nos. 246 to 284": no. 246 (dated 06/12/1928) to no. 284 (dated 20/02/1930). At the end of the album is an additional caption entitled "Inspectors" identifying the men on the group portrait at no. 253B: Inspectors. Ian Macpherson, T. Coyne, Wm. Rodger, W. H. Pottinger, W. L. McLean, S. Anderson, L. MacDougall, N. Brown, Mr. Duncan, W. D. Telfer, J. R. Anderson, J. W. Leask.

Dates

  • Creation: 1925-1930

Creator

Language of Materials

Captions and indexes in English

Conditions Governing Access

Open. Please contact the repository in advance.

Full Extent

1 box : Two albums and one bundle

Full Extent

1 photograph ; Framed: 66.5 x 38.8 cm; without frame: 46.8 x 18.8 cm

Full Extent

1 folder (outsize) : 1 newspaper double spread

Additional Description

Custodial History

Formerly owned by Murray Mackinnon (1943-2021), a renowned collector of photography documenting Scottish life from the mid-19th to early-20th century.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Purchased in February 2025. Accession no. SC-Acc-2025-0035.

Physical Description

Generally in fair condition. Some fading and staining. A small number, including one panorama, are creased. The newspaper double spread is tearing at the folds. Each photograph is housed in a melinex sleeve.

Processing Information

Catalogued in November 2025 by Aline Brodin, using information provided by the seller.

Related Names

Subjects

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Photographs documenting the construction of the Lochaber Water Project, 1925-1930
Author
Aline Brodin
Date
November 2025
Description rules
Isad(g)2
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections Repository

https://library.ed.ac.uk/heritage-collections
Contact:
Centre for Research Collections
University of Edinburgh Main Library
George Square
Edinburgh EH8 9LJ Scotland
+44(0)131 650 8379