Golspie is on the iconic Far North Line that runs from Inverness to Thurso. The line is impressive and the views are beautiful- but at 168 miles long, there are not many trains stopping on this line. If you are lucky enough to be doing this journey with a stop off in Golspie, we have some suggestions for what you should do based on how much time you have until the next train.
This page was created in collaboration with the Far North Line Community Rail Partnership, which works to promote, protect and enhance the Far North Line.
The railway station building
A history of the railway in Golspie
Take a minute to check out the railway station building. Though the inside has been remodelled, the outside looks much as it does when it was built in 1868. After the Sutherland Railway company ran out of funds, The Third Duke of Sutherland stepped in and privately financed the line across his estates from Golspie, via his private platform at Dunrobin, to Brora and Helmsdale. The station building was designed by the Duke’s estate architect, William Fowler, and so it shares some architectural features, such as dormer windows, wide eaves and exposed roof beam ends, with other contemporary estate buildings and is quite unlike any other station building on the line with the exception of Helmsdale, also designed by Fowler.
This intriguing plaque can be seen on the station platform to the north of the station building:
It would be fascinating to know if the ‘subscription’ was genuinely voluntary and heartfelt or whether pressure was applied (or contributions deducted at source) by the Duke or his agents!
Contributed by Michael Wilmott, Secretary of the Far North Line Community Rail Partnership.
What to do in 1 hour and 50 minutes
Explore Golspie with some of these town walks
● ‘The Great Divide’ trail takes you from Fishertown in the south to the grounds of Dunrobin Castle.
● This heritage walk takes you on a meander through the centre, ending up near the Big Burn Walk.
● Do the picturesque walk up Big Burn gorge, which culminates in a beautiful waterfall.
● If you are travelling with children, expend some energy in one of Golspie’s playparks or on the beach.
What to do in 3 hours and 30 minutes
Go further out of town, hire a bike or shelter from the weather
● Walk up to ‘The Mannie’ on the peak of Ben Bhraggie
● Explore Iron Age Golspie. Follow part of the John O’Groats trail along the shoreline to Dun Liath broch. There is route information here.
● Take in some local Jacobite history. Walk as far as the Littleferry Monument which commemorates the soldiers killed on both the Jacobite and Government sides during this battle, which took place the day before Culloden. Walk back into town along the beach.
● Rent a bike from Sam’s Bike Shed and cycle down towards Loch Fleet Nature Reserve. Alternatively, if you’re feeling adventurous, explore the Wildcat trails.
● If the weather sends you indoors, spend some time browsing the Local History collection at Golspie Library. You do not need a library card to visit.
What to do in 4 hours and 30 minutes
A round of golf, a long coastal walk or a half-day adventure to Littleferry
● Play a round of golf at Golspie Golf Club. The club was established in 1889 but grew out of games already played here by the Sutherland Golfing Society. Visitors are welcome.
● If you’re feeling fit, do the 10km walk along the shoreline to Brora and get the train from there. This takes you along the John O’Groats Trail. There is route information here.
● Spend longer at the Loch Fleet Nature Reserve and Littleferry, around 3 miles away. You can walk via the shore or there is a walking and cycling track as far as Balbair Woods. Detour to the wildlife hide, explore the sand dunes, and walk down to the pier where the ferry, after which the area is named, used to cross the channel. There are more details and an interactive map here.
