The hydro-electric scheme was constructed for the British Aluminium Company and was designed by engineer brothers Patrick and Charles Meik.

[4] The scheme involved the construction of a gravity dam over 914 m long (the longest in the Highlands) and 27 m high, creating the Blackwater Reservoir.

It has been described as the last major creation of the traditional 'navvy' whose activities in the construction of canals and railways left an indelible mark on the British countryside.

The construction of the Blackwater Dam and the associated aluminium smelter featured in the novel Children of the Dead End by Patrick MacGill who worked on the project as a navvie.

Although producing some of the highest grade aluminium, its small size in comparison to modern US smelters led to its closure in June 2000.

An economic impact assessment of Mountaineering confirms the value to the highlands to be £163.7m each year,[14] and because of this there has been continued support to expand the existing long-distance hiking and biking trails.

This has seen new developments, such as the Great Glen Way and the Stevenson Way, which follows the route of Alan Breck Stewart and Jamie Balfour as they flee pursuing redcoats in the Kidnapped novel.

[15] There are various accommodation options including hotels, guest houses, bed and breakfast, bunkhouses and campsites in the village,[16] which also has a store,[17] banking and post office facilities.

The refurbished hostel building, located on Lab Road, was previously used as the research and testing facility for British Aluminium.

It is located centrally in the village and is named after the fast flowing water outlet that enters the River Leven from the power house of the old aluminium factory.

[25] The centre was also an important staging post on the West Highland Way, providing facilities for walkers, including a bar, sauna and steam room.

[31] The Kinlochleven Community Trust, a partnership consisting of the local community, (Rio Tinto) Alcan, Lochaber Enterprise, Highland Council and Scottish Natural Heritage, supported by other agencies in Scotland and the European Union and chaired by Highland Councillor Drew McFarlane-Slack led the economic revival of the village.

[33] The B863 road runs round the head of Loch Leven through Kinlochleven, connecting to Glencoe to the south-west and North Ballachulish to the north-west.