Storr Lochs Power Station

By Fiona Morris

A journey stone tribute to the life of Kenneth Macpherson
Image provided by Fiona Morris

The sluice pipe extending from Storr Lochs Power Station
Image provided by Fiona Morris

My father’s family were originally from Glendale in Skye but moved to the central belt for work. My father Kenneth Macpherson was a civil engineer, who was involved in the construction of the dam supplying STORR LOCHS POWER STATION which “took the electric” to Skye. Sadly, whilst working on the project, he developed and eventually succumbed to leukemia. As a memorial, the displaying of his initials 'KM' were worked into the final creation of the Dam. His team punched holes into a sluice pipe cap, which form the letters 'K' and 'M' (super imposed on each other). The initials can still be seen there today (72 years later).

My journey stone shows the dam and his initials which I saw when I went to visit the dam recently. I believe it was modernised and upgraded in 2017 and is still supplying the area with electricity.

Many thanks to Fiona Morris for sharing with us the story behind her journey stone, created as part of the Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands.

WHAT IS A JOURNEY STONE?

Prior to the beginning of the stitching of each tapestry panel, each stitcher of the Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands was tasked with telling their interpretation of the 'Spirit of the Highlands and Islands' within a blank outline of a stone. The possibilities were truly endless - is it represented in the land? The people? A historical site? A favourite memory?

In any case, each journey stone represents the connection between each individual stitcher, their story, and their own sense, or 'spirit', of place. Discover more of the stories behind the journey stones of the Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands here.