A multi-million-pound upgrade to tourist facilities in Highland Perthshire could create Scotland’s very own Hoover Dam, according to a local politician.
Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) wants to build a new visitor centre at Pitlochry Dam in a bid to attract 100,000 tourists to the town.
Plans have been laid before Perth and Kinross Council for the £3 million centre, which would give a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the operation.
The ambitious scheme has been backed by Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser, who said he hopes it can become a “mecca” for tourists like the Hoover Dam on the Colorado River, which attracts 1,000,000 people a year.
He said: “If these plans come to fruition, the visitor centre will be another welcome attraction in Highland Perthshire.
“Last month Aberfeldy witnessed the opening of the Birks cinema complex, which increases Highland Perthshire’s tourist pull. Falkirk Wheel and the Hoover Dam have become a mecca for tourists with a keen interest in energy.
“A new state-of-the-art visitor centre at Pitlochry Dam could have a similar impact, albeit on a much smaller scale.”
The visitor centre at Pitlochry, which has now been closed because of access problems, charted the history of hydro generation in Scotland, from its origins in the 1940s to the present day.
The planned new building would be a “nationally significant visitor centre”, according to SSE.
The company says it will “deliver enhanced tangible benefits for Pitlochry and the surrounding area, as well as raise the profile for the local operation and SSE as a national company”.
The proposed site is adjacent to the existing car park on the north side of the River Tummel, with the potential of providing additional car parking for approximately 55 cars.
The building would provide a welcome and orientation space, interactive gallery, cafe, education and community room, small specialist retail area and external viewing areas. Planning officials are expected to make a decision by June.