Cruachan Power Station Visitor Center
Cruachan Power Station Visitor Center
Cruachan Power Station Visitor Center
4.5
About
AN UNDERGROUND WORLD ON A SPECTACULAR SCALE. Cruachan is a place like no other, journey deep into the heart of this mountain to discover how we convert the power of water into electricity. An experienced guide will lead you inside the power station to help you understand how we can create 440MW of power in just 2 minutes! Our interactive FREE EXHIBTION is a great way for all ages to further understand how today's energymix is made up. The cafe and gift shop are available for anyone who just wants to stop in for some light refreshments and retail therapy.
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4.5
681 reviews
Excellent
407
Very good
182
Average
59
Poor
20
Terrible
13
bluehills68
Edinburgh, UK106 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
We visited today on our way to Oban and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
It was very informative and interesting. I would like to point out how wonderful the staff are. Everyone we met was very friendly and very helpful. I don't think I've been anywhere in a while with such great staff. We shall return on our next visit 'up north'
It was very informative and interesting. I would like to point out how wonderful the staff are. Everyone we met was very friendly and very helpful. I don't think I've been anywhere in a while with such great staff. We shall return on our next visit 'up north'
Written 12 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for such great comments about the visitor centre team! We try our best to make sure every visitor has a great experience, we look forward to welcoming you back to Cruachan Visitor Centre.
Written 3 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
carltonmsrachelc
Blackburn5 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Fantastic visitor centre and tour (Thank you Ishbel and Mike!). Absolutely incredible to see inside the mountain and learn about how it all works!
Written 2 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Great to hear you enjoyed your guided tour with Ishbel and Mike, and your time at Cruachan Visitor Centre.
Written 3 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
CD1Newcastle
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK80 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
What a fabulous experience we had here! The quality of the tour was excellent - the tour guide was fantastic, so knowledgeable and engaging. Our two children, aged 9 and 8, thoroughly enjoyed the tour and we all learned lots. The visitor centre is good and the cafe is good too, with lovely views over the loch.
Written 24 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for a lovely review. We always try to adapt the guided tour for the audience, its great to know the children enjoyed the tour and learned lots.
Written 3 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Janet W
6 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
This exceeded my expectations. The visit was so informative and I learned so much in the space of 30 minutes. The two tour guides did an excellent job
Written 20 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We always aim to exceed expectations - thank you for letting us know we did when you visited!
Written 3 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Steven Ringer
4 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
What an awesome experience!! Informative without being over technical, would highly recommend.. Definitely a marvel of technological advances!!
Written 14 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review. Glad you found the tour informative.
Written 15 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Leslie W
175 contributions
Jul 2023
The tour inside the mountain was wonderful. The guides were friendly and cheerful, and so informative. They gave a great talk AND answered all the questions our group added. The view of the generator chamber is impressive, especially when you learn none of it is natural, the whole cavern was excavated for this purpose. I was unfamiliar with this form of hydropower and I learned so much.
Don't skip the displays in the Visitor Center either, there's a lot of information there. Also nice, clean toilets.
Notes: Book ahead - people get turned away often because the day's tours are all full. Each tour is only a few people, just what will fit in the one van.
Note again: it's very warm in the tunnel and chamber. Leave behind in the free lockers your coats and scarves and hats.
Don't skip the displays in the Visitor Center either, there's a lot of information there. Also nice, clean toilets.
Notes: Book ahead - people get turned away often because the day's tours are all full. Each tour is only a few people, just what will fit in the one van.
Note again: it's very warm in the tunnel and chamber. Leave behind in the free lockers your coats and scarves and hats.
Written 14 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your lovely review. We really appreciate your kind comments about our tour guides. Thank you for highlighting the advice of pre booking for a guided tour as spaces are limited on each tour.
Written 15 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Laura Mac
Falkirk, UK29 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
We booked to visit when we were passing on our way to Oban, and so glad we did. I would definitely recommend booking prior to visiting as people were getting turned away whilst we were there as it was fully booked. We arrived early and stopped of at the cafe for lunch, which was reasonably priced with good portion sizes. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed there meals, especially the lentil and sweet potato soup that was delicious, I could easily be tempted to come back just for the soup alone 🤣.
The whole experience of going into the hollow mountain was amazing. The 2 tour guides had a fantastic rapport together, with great banter between them. The tour was fun whilst being very informative and they actively encouraged you to ask any questions you had regarding the power station. One of the tour guides then spoke to my son (15yo) about his interest in going on to do Engineering at school. Would definitely recommend visiting!!
The whole experience of going into the hollow mountain was amazing. The 2 tour guides had a fantastic rapport together, with great banter between them. The tour was fun whilst being very informative and they actively encouraged you to ask any questions you had regarding the power station. One of the tour guides then spoke to my son (15yo) about his interest in going on to do Engineering at school. Would definitely recommend visiting!!
Written 10 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your lovely review and comments. We do advise booking in advance, as spaces on each tour are limited, so its great that you stopped in to do so!
Its great to hear you enjoyed the café, the soups are very tasty, we hope you get a chance to come back to try another variety.
Written 15 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Julie M
Stirling, UK18 contributions
Jul 2023 • Friends
Stopped here for a bite of lunch and was Initially underwhelmed by a very basic menu. Ended up being very glad we did. It looked and tasted like the food was prepared with care and attention to detail. Our tea came in lovely proper cups and saucers and we received several offers of more hot water to top up our pot. The cafe was immaculate and the staff were warm, helpful and welcoming. We discussed how well run the place appeared to be as we dined. Only regret was not telling the lady with the fabulous sleeve of ink that she had the most beautiful complexion I’ve ever seen.
Written 19 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for such a lovely review of our Cafe. We have chosen to keep it simple, so we can as you say prepare all the food and drink with care and attention to detail. It so nice to have the teams dedication to excellent service recognised by our visitors, along with the levels of cleanliness of the cafe and centre. We hope to welcome you back to Cruachan Visitor Centre
Written 9 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Skytourist
Peebles, UK1,426 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
All had a really good time here. My youngest (9) was fascinated and wished the tour was longer. We were surprised that it was so warm in the tunnel. We could have asked more questions but were aware that the 30mins rapidly passed.
Excellent good in the cafe as well.
I would put a second screen showing all the uk energy being used in the visitor centre. That alone was really interesting.
Excellent good in the cafe as well.
I would put a second screen showing all the uk energy being used in the visitor centre. That alone was really interesting.
Written 6 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review. Its great to hear your group enjoyed the tour, our aim is to make it suitable for all ages. Great idea to have the screen showing electric insights in the visitor centre, as well as the content being available online on the electric insights website.
Written 9 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Louise B
3 contributions
May 2023 • Family
We went as a family and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The tour was fascinating and the tour guides were superb - Gary and Mike.
We had a great time looking round the exhibition and it was great for all ages.
The cafe was fab - we had soups, toasties and cakes and coffees - absolutely delicious!
Would highly recommend this as a wee day out!
Thank you also to Sarah - fabulous staff!
We had a great time looking round the exhibition and it was great for all ages.
The cafe was fab - we had soups, toasties and cakes and coffees - absolutely delicious!
Would highly recommend this as a wee day out!
Thank you also to Sarah - fabulous staff!
Written 8 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ladywilding
Manchester, UK86 contributions
We are travelling with a puppy - will we be able to take him in with us?
CruachanVC
Dalmally, UK
Dogs are welcome at our outdoor seating area and small garden. Dogs are not permitted in the visitor centre or on the guided tour.
john b
Sheffield, UK
is there disabled access
gordjan2015
Uplawmoor, UK30 contributions
The centre is wheelchair friendly but I don't think the bus is and there's a wee bit uphill walking when you get off the bus. Think it would be best if you phoned or emailed them to ask before going
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Claim your listingCRUACHAN POWER STATION VISITOR CENTER: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Cruachan Power Station Visitor Center
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