Building record MHG21257 - WWI power station - Joss Street, Invergordon, (Munro's Garage)

The site of a former WWI generating station. The bulding is now (2015) in use as a garage.

The site was investigated in 2015 as part of the ARCH project 'Invergordon in World War I'. This area was gardens at the time of the 2nd edition OS map (surveyed in 1902). A WWI Naval plan in private collection shows a building at the site labelled Joss Street Generating Station. It was connected by overhead lines to the larger Generating Station and Pump House situated near the church. A picture on Canmore (DP 196203) from a WWI album shows the machinery and workers at the plant, including a woman in coveralls. The building was owned by the Hydro in the 1950s and 1960s who reputedly cleaned out the interior. It is currently (2015) a garage. <1>

At least three versions of a WWI Naval plan survive, two in private collection which probably date to wartime, and one in the National Archives (MPI 1/641/4) which dates to 1921. On all three the buildings taken over or built by the Navy are shaded, but there are a few discrepancies between the plans. One of the plans in private collection has enlarged details, but only shows the Admiralty buildings and not others in the town. Valuation Rolls also indicate some buildings not shaded on our plans were taken over by the military. It is clear from contemporary photographs that the army built additional buildings, particularly north of Cromlet Drive. <2>