Living and Working
Scar House Village
Developing such a vast scheme as Scar House Reservoir changed the landscape of Upper Nidderdale for ever. Less than a hundred years ago the site was a noisy and dangerous work site buzzing with activity. Huge amounts of manpower had to be drafted in to build the reservoir and as a result a whole village was created.
Scar House village was of a very good standard for the time, much better than the houses in the cities the reservoir was feeding. The 1,250 residents had hot and cold water, electric lights and flush toilets, as well as shops, a school, concert hall and a reading and recreation room. A resident doctor and nurse cared for the villagers' health needs, supported by a hospital on site. A cinema was also built which caused much excitement.
Now Scar House is characterised by its peace and solitude. You can still see the remains of where the village once stood and the landscape is scarred by the old quarries and railways lines. With a bit of imagination you can picture the thriving community that once lived there.