To mark the 60th anniversary of Cruachan Power Station, renewable energy company Drax has donated £60,000 through its charitable arm, the Drax Foundation, to support two community projects in Argyll, Scotland.
Oban Mountain Rescue has received £30,000 to help replace its ageing command vehicle, which is critical for coordinating rescues in remote and challenging areas of Scotland. The team’s current vehicle is 16 years old and no longer reliable. The new van will be professionally converted to mountain rescue standards, equipped with advanced communications systems and designed to serve as a mobile base for missions involving helicopters, drones, and rescue dogs.
“This support from the Drax Foundation is an incredible step forward for us,” said Ross Lilley, Vehicle Fund Raising Manager at Oban Mountain Rescue. “It brings us significantly closer to our goal of replacing our command vehicle, which is essential for maintaining our capability to save lives in some of the most remote areas of Argyll. As a volunteer-led service, we rely entirely on donations, and this grant will help ensure our team remains rescue ready.”
The new vehicle is expected to be operational by the end of 2025 and will improve the team’s ability to respond to incidents, particularly in the hills near Cruachan Reservoir – one of its most frequent call-out locations. Oban Mountain Rescue is made up of more than 50 volunteers, around 30% of whom are women, and responds to dozens of emergencies each year.
Another £30,000 has been awarded to St Conan’s Kirk to support urgent conservation and energy-efficiency upgrades. The church, located on the banks of Loch Awe, is known for its distinctive architecture and serves as a venue for education, heritage, and community events. It is operated entirely by volunteers.
The funding will be used to upgrade heating and insulation in the Crypt and Bruce Chapel Basement and install a small solar PV system to provide renewable energy for the building.
“We’re incredibly grateful to the Drax Foundation for this funding,” said Graham Swanson, spokesperson for St Conan’s Kirk. “Their continued support has helped us deliver vital community programmes, improve our facilities, and welcome more people through our doors. This funding will allow us to further our mission of preserving the Kirk’s heritage while offering a vibrant and inclusive space for all.”
The upgrades will also enable the Crypt to be converted into a children’s exhibition and performance space, while the Bruce Chapel Basement will be turned into an education room for local schools and community groups.
“Both Oban Mountain Rescue and St Conan’s Kirk are incredible examples of what dedicated volunteers can achieve,” said Sarah Cameron, Drax’s Community and Education Manager in Scotland. “Whether saving lives or enriching them through culture and heritage, they embody the resilience and spirit of this region. We’re proud to mark Cruachan’s 60th anniversary by supporting the communities that surround it.”
Cruachan Power Station was opened in 1965 by Queen Elizabeth II. It was one of the world’s first reversible pumped storage hydro systems and currently has a generating capacity of 440MW.
