Pitlochry Fish Ladder (Loch Faskally)
Pitlochry, Perth and Kinross, Scotland, UK · Construction began 1947 (as part of Pitlochry Dam and Power Station)
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchThe construction of the fish ladder was a result of a 1943 Act of Parliament, demonstrating early recognition of environmental mitigation in hydropower projects. - The design of 34 chambers with varying water levels allows salmon to rest and ascend gradually. - The fish ladder has become a significant tourist attraction, highlighting public interest in engineering and environmental solutions.
Key engineering challenges
Designing a structure to allow salmon to migrate upstream past a large dam to their spawning grounds. - Creating a series of stepped pools with continuous water discharge to simulate natural river conditions for fish migration. - Integrating the fish pass into the design and construction of the Pitlochry Dam and Power Station.
Project facts
- Client / owner
- North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board (original, now SSE Renewables)
- Lead contractor
- —
- Lead designers
- —
- Project type
- new build
- Scale
- 310 meters long; 34 chambers (pools); allows over 5,000 salmon annually to bypass the dam.
- Disciplines
- civil; hydraulic; environmental
- Standards & frameworks
- 1943 Act of Parliament (North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board); relevant environmental and fisheries regulations.
Sources: "Pitlochry fish ladder", Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitlochry_fish_ladder - "Pitlochry Dam & Fish Ladder Walk", Pitlochry Walks, https://www.pitlochrywalks.co.uk/dam-fish-ladder-walk/ - "Salmon Ladder & Pitlochry Dam", Secret Scotland, https://www.secret-scotland.com/place/salmon-ladder-pitlochry-dam - "Loch Faskally and the salmon ladder, Pitlochry", Walkhighlands, https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/perthshire/salmon-ladder.shtml