Energy firm SSE has made good on a 65-year-old plea from a schoolboy to save a Perthshire tree.
Ten-year-old Ian Mackinlay penned a heartfelt poem in 1950 asking the then Hydro Board to spare his favourite ash tree from the water as the pioneering electrification of the Highlands began with the construction of the hydro dams.
The creative schoolboy drafted his tongue-in-cheek ‘important notice’ warning the Hydro Board to save the tree from its impending fate - or else - and pinned it to the trunk.
Hydro workers found the poem that started: “To Hydro Board. Kindly see that nothing happens to this tree, or in your ear you’ll find a flea, so don’t put all the blame on me.”
In response they crafted their own light-hearted ode titled ‘important answer’ saying: “The Hydro Board will do its best, to see your tree does not go west. But Regulation 93 forbids a notice on a tree…so kindly keep your hardy flea, it really is no use to me, and we shall try to keep your tree.”
Unfortunately Ian’s tree was in the midst of a glen that was to become part of a raised Loch Tummel and Clunie Dam which would help power the Highlands.
But 65 years on Ian, now 78, uncovered the poem whilst clearing his office and the eloquent response and contacted SSE, to see if his nostalgic story was of interest.
The company is now making good on the plea and is gifting Mr Mackinlay a mountain ash tree for his own garden and will also plant one in the grounds of its £4.5m visitor centre which is due to open at Pitlochry Dam in the Autumn of 2016.
The poems will be kept in SSE’s soon to be opened Pitlochry archive which stores historical blueprints, speeches and artefacts from across the last 75 years and will be open to the public by appointment.
Ian Mackinlay said: “It’s very nostalgic for me to be presented with a mountain ash tree 65 years on from when Clunie Dam was built – it brings back many happy childhood memories. I’m also very pleased that a tree with be planted at the new visitor centre by SSE because hydro power has become such a part of the landscape of this part of Scotland.
“I never met the Scottish Hydro worker who wrote back to me but he made a young boy happy with his funny well rhymed and excellently hand written note, even if my original tree didn’t survive in the end.”
Peter Donaldson, SSE Director of Renewable Operations, said it was important that SSE made good on the promises of its forefathers; even 65 years later.
He said: “Mr Mackinlay’s heart-warming story gives a rare insight into the impact of SSE’s hydro generation in its early days. It remains embedded in Scotland’s heritage.
“We are custodians of both the land and the incredible hydro infrastructure built by the Hydro Board. It’s our responsibility to a work in harmony with local communities and deliver energy as sustainably as possible. If our Hydro Board forefathers promised to try and keep Ian’s tree it’s our duty and pleasure to honour that promise – 65 years later.”
John Swinney, Deputy First Minister and MSP for Perthshire North will meet Ian at the launch of SSE’s archives today on 21 August.
To find out more about SSE’s unique heritage collection of archives and exhibits at www.sseheritage.org.uk.