Tunnels

Glendoe’s network of tunnels is extensive - the system will be served by over 16 kilometres of these passageways. An 8.6 kilometre tunnel 4.6 metres in diameter will collect water and bring it to the reservoir while 8 kilometres of tunnels 5 metres in diameter will channel water from the reservoir to the underground power station, and out into Loch Ness. In addition, a 1250m long Access Tunnel, 7 metres in diameter, will lead to the power station cavern.

Perhaps the most impressive piece of machinery used in constructing Glendoe is the enormous tunnel boring machine (TBM). The 200 metre-long machine, named Eliza Jane by local schoolchildren, entered the hillside in summer 2006 and is set to emerge around two years later having created eight kilometres of tunnels.

Eliza Jane rear end view - with another 150m to be built on	Eliza Jane front end view - the Cutter Head

Video: The TBM's journey from Newcastle to Glendoe

Eliza Jane was built in Germany and shipped to Newcastle, from where she had to travel 270 miles by road to Glendoe. She is a very wide load, so the journey was a challenging one.

Video: Making way for the TBM

To allow Eliza Jane to begin boring, two short lengths of tunnel had to be created by the drill and blast method.