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.
