Through 30 years after World War II, engineers deployed by the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board built some 50 major dams across the region, and over 20,000 miles of power line, and brought electricity to the Highlands and Islands.

The workforce – labourers and engineers, tunnel tigers and linemen – had to cope with weather and geology to turn into reality the vision of regeneration of the Board’s founder, Tom Johnston. Caithness author James Miller tells their story.