Record-breakers: The tunnel tigers – pictured celebrating their world record dig – ground through 557 feet of rock in a week
As SSE continues its look through the archive this week, we can reveal the record-breaking story of the Lednock ‘Tunnel Tigers’.
They set a world record dig 60 years ago at St Fillans in Perthshire when they ground their way through 557 feet (170 metres) of rock in just one week.
The amazing feat – carried out using only basic equipment – was equivalent to the height of the Blackpool Tower.
The work undertaken in the 1940s and 1950s by men of all nationalities to bring renewable generation to Scotland was often dangerous and difficult, sometimes, tragically, resulting in men losing their lives or suffering life changing injuries.
These men worked tirelessly to build the dams and tunnels to bring renewable generation to Scotland and their achievements were celebrated at our Hydro at 70 event in 2013.
Their hard work in bringing electricity to Scotland will always be remembered