Electricity Connection Problems
The Scotsman, Oct 10, 1950
Electricity Supply in HighlandsTigh-an-Roinn,
Glenmoriston,
By Inverness,
October 6, 1950
Sir, - We have all heard a great deal of the benefits which the Hydro-Electric Board will bring to the Highlands. I shall be grateful if you will give the publicity of your columns to the following example of how the promises which were made can work out in practice.
The North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board are in the process of establishing a line to Fort Augustus, its course being along the Fort Augustus Inverness road. The inhabitants of Invermoriston were allowed to believe that a transformer would be put up in the village and those who asked for it would be supplied with current. Believing this, and deceived by the early propaganda in Parliament and through the B.B.C., several householders, at some sacrifice, had their houses wired.
We are now informed no provision for supplying Invermoriston or the district, and, in fact, the power poles have now by-passed the village.
Those of us who were given to understand that current would be available for us (presumably so that we should not make too much fuss about having our trees mutilated and ugly poles planted on our land) are, it seems in the same boat as our neighbours in Invermoriston.
I can only assume that we are not remote enough for political capital to be made out of supplying us with electricity, and in consequence we have a low publicity value.
I was also a victim of the Board and wired my house in the belief that I should get current. All I have got so far are damaged fences, the sight of ugly poles, and an evasive letter containing vague promises for some unspecified future date.
I am &c.
E. Barman.