Located on the northern shores of Loch Awe in Argyll, Scotland, Cruachan is an underground pumped storage hydro power station housed within a man-made cavern large enough to fit Big Ben on its side. Built in the 1960s, the iconic power station took six years to construct, with thousands of workers involved in drilling, blasting, and clearing hundreds of thousands of tonnes of rock and spoil to make the subterranean world.
To earn its five-star rating, a ‘secret shopper’ style visit took place to assess how the visitor centre was performing. The facility earned top marks for the performance of its employees in areas including hospitality and friendliness, service and efficiency, cleanliness all areas, appearance.
Sarah Cameron, Drax’s Scotland Community Manager, said: “Everyone at Cruachan is delighted to be recognised among the top 1% of visitor attractions in Scotland. The power station is such a special and unique place, and it is wonderful to be able to share it with visitors from across Scotland and around the world.
“Tens of thousands of visitors come here each year to see this engineering marvel which is hidden inside a mountain. However, what’s above ground is also well worth a look. The centre has incredible views of Loch Awe, and you can enjoy them with a cup of tea and homemade scone from our café.”
David Adams McGilp, VisitScotland Regional Director said: “The Cruachan Visitor Centre team is committed to delivering a world class experience for their guests.
“We hope this hard-earned five-star rating will encourage even more people to visit this iconic power station and learn about its fascinating history.”
Visitors can take guided tours inside the subterranean world into the heart of the power station to learn about the history of the site and the critical role it plays today in keeping Britain’s lights on. The visitor centre has a host of interactive exhibits alongside a café, gift shop, and picnic area.
The visitor centre is open from 9.15am to 4.45pm Monday to Friday. Tours must be booked in advance and can be done online at visitcruachan.co.uk/request-a-tour/ or by calling 01866 962630.
ENDS
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Aidan Kerr, Senior Media Manager
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