The Past: Story of Kinlochleven

There is much more to Kinlochleven than just its magnificent scenery. Long before the arrival of the Aluminium smelter in 1907, Kinlochleven existed as two small hamlets called Kinlochmore and Kinlochbeag. At Mamore lodge high on the south-facing hill on Kinlochmore estate King Edward VII spent time shooting. Later the woodlands above Kinlochleven were chosen as a suitable site for POW camp during World War 1.The remains of the site can still be seen today.

The story of Kinlochleven unfolds when the North British Aluminium Company build the Blackwater reservoir, hydroelectric plant and aluminium smelter. During the early years many "navvies" were brought in to work on the construction.

Kinlochleven was a wild place and has often been described as the 'Wild West' during this period. Graves still exist of the men who died in the mountains on their way to find work. Around the smelter housing was created by the Village Improvement Society, recreational facilities were provided and schools and churches built.

The smelter was one of the largest in the world at the time, employing over 800 people. With strong international demand for aluminium the village quickly grew to a thriving community of over 1,000 people.

For many years, the Kinlochleven Smelter specialised in the production of high purity aluminium. At this time aluminium was used in the manufacture of an increasing number of everyday engineering and household items.

Changing patterns of demand, outdated technology, economies of scale, increasing environmental controls all contributed to the decline of the smelter. In 1994 Alcan Smelting and Power (UK) LTD announced the closure of the smelter at the end of the century. In 1995,Prior to the closure the Kinlochleven Working Group was set up with task of securing a prosperous future for the village. In June 2000 the smelter finally closed and a Highland village was reborn.

Click HERE to visit the Alcan Web Site

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