The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge met members of SSE’s Beauly Denny team during their visit to Scotland when they opened an historic timber project at Crieff.
William and Kate, known as the Earl and Countess of Strathearn north of the border, were touring Perthshire, but without their young son Prince George.
The Pittentian Circle project was started following discovery of an archaeological original on a local construction site associated with the Beauly Denny powerline.
Scottish Hydro Electric (SHE) Transmission has worked in collaboration with the Strathearn Community Campus in Crieff to recreate a 4,000 year old structure described as a ‘wooden Stonehenge.’
Chris Meek, SSEPD’s Environmental Project Manager said: “In 2012, archaeologists working with us on the Beauly Denny project uncovered historical remains of a prehistoric structure in the area.
“Investigation of the remains revealed the site to have been the location of a unique monument known to archaeologists as a timber circle. When the local school asked us to help them build a replica of the timber circle we were only too happy to get involved. It’s been a very exciting project to be involved in.”
Scottish and Southern Energy Power Distribution (SSEPD) funded the project, and along with Northlight Heritage, have been instrumental in the coordination and delivery of the scaled replica timber circle.
Beauly Denny associated contractors including Murphys, IKM solutions and Scottish Woodlands also played key roles in delivery of the project through providing materials and expertise to ensure a robust and quality result.
Discussions between the campus staff, pupils and local residents led to a site being identified within the grounds of the campus that is now home to the Neolithic structure.
Following detailed discussions, agreements were made with contractors associated with the Beauly Denny project who agreed to offer their time, materials and skills to help ensure the project’s success.
During one of his other engagements Prince William chatted to the crew of Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA), which SSE has provided direct and indirect support for, worth over £300,000.