Inverness and Ross-shire Railway
Encyclopedia
The Inverness and Ross-shire Railway was incorporated on 3 July 1860 with the aim to build a line to Invergordon
. The line opened in stages:
On 30 June 1862 the railway was incorporated into the Inverness and Aberdeen Junction Railway
, which had previously absorbed the Inverness and Nairn Railway
. Ultimately the line became part of the Highland Railway
on 1 February 1865.
The extension to Bonar Bridge (latterly Ardgay) was authorised as the Ross-shire Extension Act on 11 May 1863, opening to Meikle Ferry on 1 June 1864 and Bonar Bridge
on 1 October 1864. The former terminus at Meikle Ferry on the southern side of the Dornoch Firth
is today the Dornoch Bridge Inn. Here mail was transferred from the train to cross the ferry (today replaced by Dornoch Firth Bridge) to continue its journey northwards to Sutherland, Caithness and the Orkney and Shetland Islands. It remained a station for only three years in the mid 1860s until the line was completed to Golspie. Beyond Meikle Ferry, the closed station at Edderton
still exists as a private house next to the Balblair Distillery.
The line is still open, being part of the Far North Line
.
Invergordon
Invergordon is a town and port in Easter Ross, in Ross and Cromarty, Highland, Scotland.-History:The town is well known for the Invergordon Mutiny of 1931. More recently it was also known for the repair of oil rigs which used to be lined up in the Cromarty Firth on which the town is situated...
. The line opened in stages:
- 11 June 1862 - Inverness to Dingwall
- 23 March 1863 - Dingwall to Invergordon
On 30 June 1862 the railway was incorporated into the Inverness and Aberdeen Junction Railway
Inverness and Aberdeen Junction Railway
Inverness and Aberdeen Junction Railway is an historic railway in Scotland.- History :It was authorised by an Act of Parliament on 21 July 1856 as an extension to the Inverness and Nairn Railway, the line was opened in stages:...
, which had previously absorbed the Inverness and Nairn Railway
Inverness and Nairn Railway
The Inverness and Nairn Railway was a railway worked by, and later absorbed by the Inverness and Aberdeen Junction Railway.- History :The line was opened in the year 1855 and connected the towns of Inverness and Nairn. Opening had been delayed from 1 August 1855 due to delays in the contractor's...
. Ultimately the line became part of the Highland Railway
Highland Railway
The Highland Railway was one of the smaller British railways before the Railways Act 1921; it operated north of Perth railway station in Scotland and served the farthest north of Britain...
on 1 February 1865.
The extension to Bonar Bridge (latterly Ardgay) was authorised as the Ross-shire Extension Act on 11 May 1863, opening to Meikle Ferry on 1 June 1864 and Bonar Bridge
Ardgay railway station
Ardgay railway station is a railway station serving the village of Ardgay in the Highland council area of Scotland. The station is on the Far North Line, 93 km north of Inverness, near Bonar Bridge. Ardgay station has a passing loop, the next loop to the south being at and to the north, .-...
on 1 October 1864. The former terminus at Meikle Ferry on the southern side of the Dornoch Firth
Dornoch Firth
The Dornoch Firth is a firth on the east coast of Highland, in northern Scotland. It forms part of the boundary between Ross and Cromarty, to the south, and Sutherland, to the north....
is today the Dornoch Bridge Inn. Here mail was transferred from the train to cross the ferry (today replaced by Dornoch Firth Bridge) to continue its journey northwards to Sutherland, Caithness and the Orkney and Shetland Islands. It remained a station for only three years in the mid 1860s until the line was completed to Golspie. Beyond Meikle Ferry, the closed station at Edderton
Edderton
Edderton is a village near Tain, lying on the shores of the Dornoch Firth, Easter Ross. It has approximately 388 inhabitants. It is the location of the Balblair Distillery, and of the Class III Pictish stone, the Edderton Cross Slab, which lies in the old churchyard of the village...
still exists as a private house next to the Balblair Distillery.
The line is still open, being part of the Far North Line
Far North Line
The Far North Line is a rural railway line entirely within the Highland area of Scotland, extending from Inverness to Thurso and Wick.- Route :...
.
Connections to other lines
- Sutherland RailwaySutherland RailwayThe Sutherland Railway was a railway worked by, and later absorbed in 1884 by the Highland Railway running through Sutherland, Scotland. Sutherland is a former county, and former districts of the Highland region....
at ArdgayArdgay railway stationArdgay railway station is a railway station serving the village of Ardgay in the Highland council area of Scotland. The station is on the Far North Line, 93 km north of Inverness, near Bonar Bridge. Ardgay station has a passing loop, the next loop to the south being at and to the north, .-... - Dingwall and Skye RailwayDingwall and Skye RailwayThe Dingwall and Skye Railway was authorised on 5 July 1865 with the aim of providing a route to Skye and the Herbrides. However due to local objections, another Act of Parliament was required before work could commence. This was passed on 29 May 1868...
at DingwallDingwall railway stationDingwall railway station serves Dingwall, in the Highland council area of Scotland. It is located just south of the junction of the Far North Line and the Kyle of Lochalsh Line, and is served by First ScotRail. To the south is the proposed station of... - Partially constructed Cromarty and Dingwall Light RailwayCromarty and Dingwall Light RailwayThe Cromarty and Dingwall Light Railway was a never-completed light railway linking Cromarty in the Black Isle, Ross and Cromarty, Scotland to the Highland Railway system at Conon.-History:...
at Conon - Fortrose BranchFortrose BranchFortrose Branch, also known as the Black Isle Railway is an historic railway in Scotland.-History:Authorisation was obtained on 4 July 1890 to build a 15.75 mile branch line from Muir of Ord to Rosemarkie; however the line never proceeded beyond Fortrose.* 1 February 1894 - Opened .* 1 January...
at Muir of OrdMuir of Ord railway stationMuir of Ord railway station is a railway station on the Kyle of Lochalsh Line and the Far North Line, serving the village of Muir of Ord in the Highland council area of Scotland. It is the location of the sole remaining crossing loop on the single line between and... - Inverness and Nairn RailwayInverness and Nairn RailwayThe Inverness and Nairn Railway was a railway worked by, and later absorbed by the Inverness and Aberdeen Junction Railway.- History :The line was opened in the year 1855 and connected the towns of Inverness and Nairn. Opening had been delayed from 1 August 1855 due to delays in the contractor's...
at InvernessInverness railway stationInverness railway station is the railway station serving the Scottish city of Inverness.- History :Opened on 5 November 1855 as the western terminus of the Inverness and Nairn Railway, it is now the terminus of the Highland Main Line, the Aberdeen-Inverness Line , the Kyle of Lochalsh Line and the... - Inverness and Aviemore Direct RailwayInverness and Aviemore Direct RailwayThe Inverness and Aviemore Direct Railway was built by the Highland Railway to provide a direct route between Inverness and Aviemore.-History:...
at InvernessInverness railway stationInverness railway station is the railway station serving the Scottish city of Inverness.- History :Opened on 5 November 1855 as the western terminus of the Inverness and Nairn Railway, it is now the terminus of the Highland Main Line, the Aberdeen-Inverness Line , the Kyle of Lochalsh Line and the...