The fish ladder was specially constructed  at the Pitlochry Dam and Power Station (built between 1947 and 1951) to allow the fish to by-pass the 86.5m high dam to get to their spawning beds upstream. The ladder is 310 metres long and consists of 34 chambers, linked together by tunnels that the salmon can swim through. It enables around 5,000 salmon to return to their spawning grounds each year - a journey of over 5,000 miles usually undertaken between April and late September. There is an observation chamber where you might see salmon swimming (autumn is usually the best time).

The Scottish Hydro Electric Visitor Centre and fish pass observation chamber are open between April and October, Monday to Friday, and at weekends during July, August and Bank Holidays, 10.00am to 5.30pm. It features some interactive exhibits and displays about the history of hydro-power generation in Scotland and also tells the ‘Salmon Story’ through computer and video technology.

Picture copyright Adrian Beaumont and licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence.