Hydro Electric Display Window

By the mid-1960s hydro-electric was becoming available to most communities in the Highlands. The North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board were eager to get as many households as possible wired for electricity, and fitted with all the new appliances. The High Streets of most towns had a Hydro shop, and displays to show off these appliances and demonstrations on their use were common. This photograph shows a shop front in Perth in spring 1962. The carefree, younger housewife is delighted with the cleaner kitchen and more leisure time, and the older generation relax in the knowledge that the electric cookers are safe in comparison with old stoves. At the same time, the wise old owl promotes the all-electric household; the most economical way to use electricity in the home.<br /> <br /> The North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board was established under the Hydro-Electric Development (Scotland) Act 1943. Thomas Johnston presented the Act in the House of Commons, declaring that by harnessing 'the great latent power of the region' it would assist in remedying the ills that affected the Highlands. Johnston told the Commons that 'industries, whether owned nationally or privately, will be and ought to be, attracted to locations in the Highlands, as a result of this measure'.<br /> <br /> Ordinary consumers would have priority, then the anticipated large power users, and any surplus energy would be sold to the national grid. Profits from these sales would help reduce distribution costs to more remote areas, and assist in carrying out measures for the economic development and social improvement of the Highlands. This famous social clause gave recognition that the Hydro Board was envisaged as an instrument for the rehabilitation of northern Scotland, not just an organization to provide electricity.<br /> <br /> The output from the power station at Loch Sloy, west of Loch Lomond, was intended to meet the demand for central and western Scotland. The surplus energy produced here would be used to subsidise the Morar and Lochalsh projects, it being unlikely these smaller schemes could pay their way. The cost of construction of these three projects was estimated at £4,600,000 <br /> <br /> <br /> This image can be purchased.<br /> For further information about purchasing and prices please email<br /> <a href= "mailto: skyeandlochalsh.archives@highlifehighland.com" >Skye and Lochalsh Archives</a>