Cannich Hall

With the coming of the hydro scheme life in Strathglass, and in particularly Cannich, was changed forever. Previously the village only had a scattering of small dwellings. Suddenly in the late 1940s the population increased greatly. Permanent housing was also required for the people who would maintain the scheme long after the construction workers had gone. Just as the power station at Fasnakyle was faced with sandstone sourced from near Burghead in Moray, new houses were constructed in the village of similar materials. Aptly, MacColl Road was named after the Chief Executive and Vice Chairman of NOSHEB from 1943 to 1951, Sir Edward MacColl, whose contribution to the success of the hydro-electric schemes throughout the country was immense.

First class entertainment was provided for the workers at the hall.  The latest cinema films were shown with a change of programme three times a week.  Concerts were staged that featured some of the top performers of the day such as Robert Wilson and Tessie O’Shea.  Other performers included up and coming stars of the future such as Stanley Baxter, Rikki Fulton and Jack Milroy.  Week-end dances proved very popular. 

The BBC made two radio broadcasts from Cannich; an edition of the favourite Worker’s Playtime and a Sunday Service led by Rev. Duncan Turner the local Industrial Chaplain.

The workers were housed in two camps, the main centre at Cannich and another at Cozac, near Loch Mullardoch. Accommodation was provided in Nissen huts; one can still be seen near the present campsite in Cannich.  The camp at Cannich resembled a typical war-time military camp. This was a major change to the small settlement that had existed for generations. Besides living quarters, there was an admin building, large workshop, canteen, sick bay, general store, and post office. A temporary generating station was established to provide power to the camp and immediate locality during construction work. The diesel-powered generators were housed in a large shed, which still stands today opposite the woods at Marydale.

After work on the scheme ended, the hall was gifted by the Hydro Board to the village and retained its importance as a venue for the local people.  After a period in the ownership of Highland Council, the hall was acquired for the community in 2009 by the newly formed Strathglass and Affric Community Company Limited (SACC).   Economic pressures on the council saw the closure of several village halls and only the intervention of SACC ensured its survival as a community asset.