Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP has welcomed ambitious plans for a new visitor centre at the Pitlochry dam and hopes it can achieve similar success to the Falkirk wheel attractions.
Scottish and Southern Energy has lodged plans for the construction of the new centre with Perth and Kinross Council in a move that could lead to the number of visitors touring the dam increasing from 50,000 to 100,000 a year.
The current visitor centre at Pitlochry, which has now been closed because of access problems, charted the history of hydro generation in Scotland from its origins in the 1940s to the present day.
Commenting Murdo Fraser MSP said;
“If these plans come to fruition the visitor centre will be another welcome attraction in Highland Perthshire.
“Last month Aberfeldy witnessed the opening of the Birks cinema complex which increases Highland Perthshire’s tourist pull.
“Falkirk Wheel and the Hoover Dam have become a mecca for tourists with a keen interest in energy. A new state-of-the-art visitor centre at Pitlochry dam could have a similar impact, albeit on a much smaller scale.”