A vision of Britain through time
A vision of Britain from 1801 to now.
Including maps, statistical trends and historical descriptions.
A vision of Britain through time
A vision of Britain from 1801 to now.
Including maps, statistical trends and historical descriptions.
Dingwall and Skye Railway, The, designed to open up to railway facilities the western coasts of Ross and Inverness, and by means of steamers to afford access to the principal islands of the Outer and Inner Hebrides, was originally projected to reach Kyle Akin (the Strait of Haco), where the island of Skye is separated from the mainland by a narrow channel. A bill for a line to this point was obtained in 1864, but the difficulty of raising the capital caused the adoption of a modified scheme, carrying the line to its present western terminus on Loch Carron. The railway, branching from the Highland line at Dingwall, rises a short distance there from upon a steep incline, on which is situated the first station, Strathpeffer (4¼ miles). This station occupies a remarkably elevated position, the famous spa that gives it name being situated 1½ mile away in the deep valley below. The view from this portion of the line is magnificent; prominent amongst the objects of interest being Castle-Leod, belonging to the Duchess of Sutherland (Countess of Cromartie in her own right), which is seen in the midst of fine trees. After leaving Strathpeffer, the line passes through a cutting close under Craig-an-fhitaich, the 'Raven's Rock,' whose precipitous face, 250 feet high, beetles ominously over the railway. Half-a-mile further the line enters Ross-shire, and passes Loch Garve, the first of a series of fine lochs which skirt the route. The shores are nicely wooded. The station of Garve (11¾ miles) forms the starting-point for Lochbroom and Ullapool by a wild coach road over the -Diridh More. The line afterwards passes Loch Luichart, where there is a station (17 miles), and the Grudie, Loch Cullin, and Strathbran afford varying aspects of Highland scenery. Achanault station (21¼ miles) is a favourite starting-point for the ascent of a number of the giant mountains of Ross-shire. Auchnasheen station (27¾ miles) is the starting-poi
(F.H. Groome, Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland (1882-4); © 2004 Gazetteer for Scotland)
| Linked entities: | |
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| Administrative units: | Inverness Shire ScoCnty Ross Shire ScoCnty |
| Place: | Dingwall |
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