Shining Light

A new biography. "Shining Light: The story of Edward 'Electricity' MacColl" details his struggles to convince politicians to back the technology in the face of criticism from landowners, tourist businesses and those working in the coal industry.

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Few Scots in the 20th century left a greater mark on their country than Edward MacColl - yet his story remains almost unknown. Born in Dumbarton in 1882, he left school at 14 and went on to become one of the country's greatest electrical engineers and receive a knighthood from King George VI in 1949.

MacColl combined ingenuity with imagination to build the iconic hydro-electric schemes that produce green power to this day, from the Falls of Clyde at New Lanark to the shores of Loch Lomond, Pitlochry in Perthshire and Glen Affric in the Highlands. He delivered power from the people, played a key role in the creation of Britain's national grid and was the driving force behind the introduction of electric light, heat and power to cottages, crofts and communities across the Scottish Highlands. He promoted tirelessly the electrical idea, believing it was central to social and economic progress and a cleaner and better life.

A proud member of the Clan MacColl, a knowledgeable enthusiast of Scottish scenery and culture and a vivid and often humorous writer, he earned universal respect and admiration. This is his story.