A Victorian hydro scheme is being rebuilt to provide electricity in Braemar.
The scheme on the Corriemulzie burn was previously used to generate electricity for Mar Lodge, the home of Queen Victoria’s granddaughter Princess Louise, the Princess Royal and Duchess of Fife.
Now it is being brought back to life by the Braemar Community Hydro, who were granted permission for the £800,000 project by the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) in 2013.
The group will sell electricity generated by the hydro scheme to the national grid, creating an income stream to fund community projects in and around Braemar.
And already the group has secured the first £150,000 towards the project thanks to the support of nearly 50 locals, who signed up to the pioneers share scheme.
The remaining £650,000 will be raised when the main share offer is launched next month, and the group expect people from outwith the Braemar area will also be keen to get involved.
Al Hubbard, a director of Braemar Community Hydro, said the group was “overwhelmed” at the support received so far.
He said: “There was real enthusiasm for such an unobtrusive renewable scheme with such an interesting pedigree. It’s overgrown now, but in Victorian times, as well as generating power, the Linn of Corriemulzie was a favourite beauty spot.
“It’s been a long haul to get to this stage.
“Braemar Community Ltd first started monitoring flow on the burn seven years ago.”
The group hope to begin installation in the autumn, and aim to be generating electricity by late next summer. For more information about the project or share offer, call Dave Chandler on 07880 554539.