Llamas and lighthouse on the Rhinns of Islay

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Picture of three Llamas in a field with a lighthouse in the background
Llamas and lighthouse on the Rhinns of Islay

A view from Claddach, three Llamas in a field with the Rhinns of Islay lighthouse on Orsay in the background, Eilean Mhic Coinnich towards the right.

Wave power station panorama from 2005, Isle of Islay

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Panoramic picture of an industrial concrete building, a wave power station
Wave power station panorama from 2005, Isle of Islay

It’s long gone now, but back in 2005 when I took the pictures for this panorama it was still very new and exciting. This is a panoramic view of the experimental wave power station at Claddach on the Rhinns of Islay. Waves came in from the Atlantic (on the left, obviously), driving air through the tunnel (centre) and out through the vents (on the right). When the wave went out again the same process went in reverse. This drove a wind turbine in the station, generating electricity.

I was told it made a lot of noise and could be heard for quite a distance. Also the grid in the area didn’t have enough capacity, so it couldn’t be used to its full capacity.