Inverness and Ross-shire Railway

Inverness and Ross-shire Railway Act 1860
Inverness and Ross-shire Railway Act 1860
Act of Parliament
	Parliament of the United Kingdom
Citation	23 & 24 Vict. c. cxxxi
Dates
Royal assent	3 July 1860
Other legislation
Repealed by	Highland Railway Act 1865
Status: Repealed

Inverness and Ross-shire Railway
Overview
Locale	Scotland
Dates of operation	11 June 1862–30 June 1862
Successor	Inverness and Aberdeen Junction Railway
Technical
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Length	57.5 miles (92.5 km)

Inverness and
Ross-shire Railway

Legend

Dingwall and Skye Railway

Dingwall

Conon

Cromarty & Dingwall

Light Railway

(

partially

built

)

River Ness Viaduct

Rose Street Junction

Inverness

Welsh's Bridge Junction

Millburn Junction

Inverness & Aviemore Direct Rly

Inverness and Nairn Railway

The Inverness and Ross-shire Railway was a Scottish railway company formed in 1860 to build a line from Inverness to Invergordon. It opened in 1862 as far as Dingwall and in 1863 to Invergordon. It was extended to a Bonar Bridge station in 1864. It provided the basis for later extensions that eventually reached Thurso, forming the Far North Line. The Dingwall and Skye Railway branched off at Dingwall to reach the Kyle of Lochalsh.

In 1862 it amalgamated with the Inverness and Aberdeen Junction Railway and later became a constituent of the Highland Railway. The line continues in use at the present day.

First railways[edit]

Aberdeen obtained a railway connection to the south in 1850. The advantages to a community that had a railway service were already plainly visible, as were the serious disadvantages in not being so connected, and interested persons in Inverness started to think about their situation.^[1]

At the time a railway heading directly south towards Perth was not technically feasible, and attention was given to reaching Aberdeen, and getting a connection southwards by that circuitous route. A first step in that direction was the opening of the Inverness and Nairn Railway in 1855. This was described at the time as being only a beginning. The Nairn line was on easy terrain in the coastal strip, and any extension would be over more challenging ground.^[2]

Thoughts in Inverness turned also to the possibilities of a northward railway. At first this was expected to be by ferry crossing from Nairn to the north side of the narrows of the Cromarty Firth; from there railways could extend on easier ground to Invergordon, Tain and Dingwall.^[3]

Inverness and Ross-shire Railway authorised[edit]

In the years immediately following, confidence in engineering projects -- encouraged by the local engineer Joseph Mitchell led to a more practical scheme from Inverness directly round the western extremity of the Beauly Firth and then northwards. Sir Alexander Matheson of Ardross was the driving force in ensuring the formation of a company to carry out this work, encouraged by the far-sighted engineer Joseph Mitchell, and a provisional committee met in Inverness in January 1859 to promote such a line.

So it was that the Inverness and Ross-shire Railway Bill was unopposed in Parliament, and was given royal assent on 3 July 1860, for a line from Inverness to Invergordon, a distance of 31 miles (50 km). This included a crossing of the Caledonian Canal by swing bridge,^[3]^[4] considered by Ross to be a novelty at the time, and river crossings of the Beauly, Conon, Sgitheach, Allt Graad, and Alness Rivers. Authorised share capital was £215,000.^[5]

Construction and opening[edit]

The Inverness station of the Nairn company faced east, and the Ross-shire line would approach from the west, so west facing platforms were built at the station; there was a by-pass line, originally provided as the Nairn company's approach to Nairn Harbour, on Shore Street. When the line was opened it was referred to as the Rose Street Curve.^[3]

On 10 June 1862 Colonel Yolland of the Board of Trade carried out an inspection of the first section of the line and approved it, and on 11 June 1862 the first section of the route opened, from Inverness to Dingwall.^[3] The remainder of the route was delayed by a dispute over land acquisition, but on 25 March 1863 the line was opened throughout to Invergordon.^{[note 1]}^[4]^[6]^[7]

The extension to Invergordon was at first considered to be a feeder to the southward line, rather than a step towards the Far North.^[7]

Amalgamation[edit]

In the mean time, Parliamentary powers to amalgamate with the Inverness and Aberdeen Junction Railway were sought, and duly obtained on 30 June 1862.^[3] The Inverness and Nairn Railway had already amalgamated with the Aberdeen Junction company, on 17 May 1861.^[8]

Further north[edit]

A further extension, from Invergordon to Bonar Bridge was now planned, and was authorised by the Ross-shire Railway Extension Act of 11 May 1863.^[3] The Act gave the powers to the Inverness and Aberdeen Junction Railway.^[4] The extension opened to Meikle Ferry on 1 June 1864. The ferry enabled onward road journeys to Dornoch and beyond, although the station was not close to the actual ferry landing stage.^{[note 2]} The line was continued to Bonar Bridge, 57 miles (92 km) from Inverness, on 1 October 1864. The Bonar Bridge station is actually at Ardgay, west of the Kyle of Sutherland and not conveniently situated for the community of Bonar Bridge.^[3]^[4]

Formation of the Highland Railway[edit]

The railways based on Inverness were working in partnership. On 1 February 1865 Inverness and Aberdeen Junction Railway, the Inverness and Perth Junction Railway and the Inverness and Ross-shire Railway amalgamated, and on 29 June 1865 a change of name was authorised: the enlarged company was to be called the Highland Railway Company.^[8]

Still further north[edit]

The notion of a Far North Line was now gathering pace, and the independent Sutherland Railway was authorised in 1865, opening to Golspie in 1868. Further extensions took place, until Wick and Thurso were connected by rail on 28 July 1874.^[9]^[10]

Inverness viaduct collapse[edit]

In 1989 the River Ness masonry arch viaduct in Inverness collapsed on 7 February due to turbulent conditions in the river. It was reconstructed in a different form.^[11]

The route today[edit]

The line is still open, being part of the Far North Line.

Locations[edit]

Inverness; opened 7 November 1855 for Inverness and Nairn Railway; still open;
Rose Street Junction; with former Harbour line from Welsh's Bridge Junction, now upgraded to Rose Street curve;
Connection to Muirtown basin (on Caledonian Canal);
Clachnaharry; opened 1 April 1868; closed 1 April 1913;
Bunchrew; opened 11 June 1862; closed 13 June;
Lentran; opened 11 June 1862; closed 13 June;
Clunes; opened 20 August 1863; closed 13 June 1960;
Beauly; opened 11 June 1862; closed 13 June 1960; reopened 15 April 2002; still open.
Muir of Ord; junction for Fortrose branch 1904 – 1960;
Conon; opened 11 June 1862; closed 13 June 1960; reopened as Conon Bridge 8 February 2013; still open;
Dingwall; opened 11 June 1862; still open;
Dingwall North Junction; divergence of Dingwall and Skye Railway to Kyle of Lochalsh, 1870 to present day;
Fowlis; opened 23 March 1863; renamed Foulis 20 March 1916; closed 13 June 1960;
Novar; opened 23 March 1863; renamed Evanton 1 June 1937; closed 13 June 1960
Alness; opened 23 March 1863; closed 13 June 1960; reopened 7 May 1973; still open;
Invergordon; short harbour branch 1874 - 1971;
Invergordon; opened 23 March 1863; still open;
Delney; opened 1 June 1864; renamed Delny 1865; closed 13 June 1960;
Parkhill; opened 1 April 1861; renamed Kildary 1 May 1868; closed 13 June 1960;
Nigg; opened 1 June 1864; closed 13 June 1960;
Fearn; opened 1 June 1864; still open;
Tain; opened 1 June 1864; still open;
Meikle Ferry; opened 1 June 1864; closed 1 January 1869;
Edderton; opened 1 October 1864; closed 13 June 1960;
Mid Fearn; opened 1 October 1864; closed 31 March 1865;
Bonar Bridge; opened 1 October 1864; renamed Ardgay 2 May 1977.^[12]

The onward route northward from Bonar Bridge was opened in 1868 by the Sutherland Railway.

Notes[edit]

^ Ross gives the opening to Invergordon as 23 May 1863 on page 175, but this seems to be a mistake. Quick gives 23 March, but the discrepancy may be due to ceremonial and full public openings.
^ The Dornoch Firth Bridge was opened in 1991, crossing the Firth at this point.

References[edit]

^ John Thomas and David Turnock, A Regional History of the Railways of Great Britain: volume 15: North of Scotland, David St John Thomas (publisher), Newton Abbot, 1989, ISBN 0946537 03 8, page 154
^ Thomas and Turnock, page 225
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g H E Vallance et al, The Highland Railway, David & Charles, Newton Abbot, 1938, extended edition 1985, ISBN 0-946537--24-0, pages 30 to 33
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Donald J Grant, Directory of the Railway Companies of Great Britain, Matador, Kibworth Beauchamp, 2017, ISBN 978 1785893 537, pages 279 and 280
^ David Ross, The Highland Railway, Tempus Publishing Limited, Stroud, 2005, ISBN 0 7524 3479 9, page 33
^ Vallance et al, page 175
^ ^a ^b Ross, page 34
^ ^a ^b Vallance et al, page 28
^ Vallance et al, pages 35 to 37
^ Thomas and Turnock, page 317
^ The Herald (Inverness newspaper), 8 February 1989
^ M E Quick, Railway Passenger Stations in England, Wales and Scotland: A Chronology, version 5.03, September 2021, Railway and Canal Historical Society, electronic download, alphabetically arranged

[6] Ross gives the opening to Invergordon as 23 May 1863 on page 175, but this seems to be a mistake. Quick gives 23 March, but the discrepancy may be due to ceremonial and full public openings.

[10] The Dornoch Firth Bridge was opened in 1991, crossing the Firth at this point.

[thomas154-1] John Thomas and David Turnock, A Regional History of the Railways of Great Britain: volume 15: North of Scotland, David St John Thomas (publisher), Newton Abbot, 1989, ISBN 0946537 03 8, page 154

[thomas225-2] Thomas and Turnock, page 225

[vallance30-3] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g H E Vallance et al, The Highland Railway, David & Charles, Newton Abbot, 1938, extended edition 1985, ISBN 0-946537--24-0, pages 30 to 33

[grant279-4] Donald J Grant, Directory of the Railway Companies of Great Britain, Matador, Kibworth Beauchamp, 2017, ISBN 978 1785893 537, pages 279 and 280

[ross33-5] David Ross, The Highland Railway, Tempus Publishing Limited, Stroud, 2005, ISBN 0 7524 3479 9, page 33

[vallance175-7] Vallance et al, page 175

[ross34-8] Ross, page 34

[vallance28-9] Vallance et al, page 28

[vallance35-11] Vallance et al, pages 35 to 37

[thomas317-12] Thomas and Turnock, page 317

[herald-13] The Herald (Inverness newspaper), 8 February 1989

[quick-14] M E Quick, Railway Passenger Stations in England, Wales and Scotland: A Chronology, version 5.03, September 2021, Railway and Canal Historical Society, electronic download, alphabetically arranged

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[3]

[4]

[5]

[note 1]

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v t e Historical Scottish railway companies
Primary companies	Caledonian Railway Glasgow and South Western Railway Great North of Scotland Railway Highland Railway North British Railway
Caledonian Railway	Aberdeen Railway Alloa Railway Alyth Arbroath and Forfar Busby Railway Cathcart District Clydesdale Junction Crieff Junction Crieff and Comrie Crieff and Methven Junction Dumfries, Lochmaben and Lockerbie Dunblane, Doune and Callander Dundee and Perth Dundee and Perth and Aberdeen Forfar and Brechin General Terminus and Glasgow Harbour Garnkirk and Glasgow Glasgow Central Railway Glasgow, Paisley and Greenock Greenock and Wemyss Bay Hamilton and Strathaven Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Lanarkshire and Dumbartonshire Leadhills and Wanlockhead Lesmahagow Railway Lochearnhead, St Fillans and Comrie Paisley and Barrhead District Perth, Almond Valley and Methven Polloc and Govan Rutherglen and Coatbridge Scottish Central Scottish Midland Junction Scottish North Eastern Solway Junction Symington, Biggar and Broughton Talla Railway Wishaw and Coltness Lines built by the Caledonian Railway Balerno line CR Cleland and Midcalder CR Main Line CR Douglas Branch CR Hamilton Branch CR Hamiltonhill Branch CR The Switchback Independent lines worked by the Caledonian Railway Callander and Oban Killin Railway
Glasgow and South Western Railway	Ardrossan Railway Ardrossan and Johnstone Ayr and Dalmellington Ayr and Maybole Junction Ayr to Mauchline Ayrshire and Wigtownshire Barrhead Branch Bridge of Weir Railway Cairn Valley Caledonian and Dumbartonshire Junction Castle Douglas and Dumfries Dalry and North Johnstone Darvel Branch Girvan and Portpatrick Junction Glasgow, Dumfries and Carlisle Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock and Ayr Greenock and Ayrshire Kilmarnock and Troon Largs Branch Maidens and Dunure Maybole and Girvan Paisley and Renfrew Paisley Canal Line
Great North of Scotland Railway	Aberdeen and Turriff Aboyne and Braemar Alford Valley Banff, Macduff and Turriff Junction Banff, Portsoy and Strathisla Boddam Branch Deeside Denburn Valley Formartine and Buchan Inverury and Old Meldrum Junction Keith and Dufftown Moray Coast Morayshire St Combs Light Railway Strathspey Railway
Highland Railway	Buckie and Portessie Branch Dingwall and Skye Duke of Sutherland Findhorn Railway Fortrose Branch Inverness and Aberdeen Junction Inverness and Aviemore Direct Inverness and Nairn Inverness and Perth Junction Inverness and Ross-shire Kyle of Lochalsh Extension Perth and Dunkeld Sutherland and Caithness Sutherland Railway Independent lines worked by the Highland Railway Dornoch Light Railway Wick and Lybster Light Railway
North British Railway	Aberlady, Gullane and North Berwick Anstruther and St Andrews Railway Ballochney Bathgate and Coatbridge Blane Valley Border Counties Railway Border Union Railway Campsie Branch Carlisle and Silloth Bay Railway and Dock Company Charlestown Railway and Harbour Company Coatbridge Branch Devon Valley Railway Dunfermline and Queensferry East of Fife Railway Edinburgh and Bathgate Edinburgh and Dalkeith Edinburgh and Glasgow Edinburgh and Hawick Edinburgh, Leith and Newhaven Railway Edinburgh, Loanhead and Roslin Railway Edinburgh and Northern Edinburgh Suburban and Southside Junction Esk Valley Eyemouth Railway Fife and Kinross Railway Forth and Clyde Junction Gifford and Garvald Glasgow, Bothwell, Hamilton and Coatbridge Glasgow City and District Glasgow, Dumbarton and Helensburgh Glasgow and Milngavie Junction Glasgow, Yoker and Clydebank Kelvin Valley Railway Kincardine Line Kinross-shire Railway Kirkcaldy and District Railway Leadburn, Linton and Dolphinton Leven Railway Leven and East of Fife Railway Macmerry Branch Monkland and Kirkintilloch Monkland Railways Montrose and Bervie Mallaig Extension Newburgh and North Fife Railway (worked by NBR) Newport Railway North Berwick Branch North British, Arbroath and Montrose Peebles Railway The St. Andrews Railway Stirling and Dunfermline Strathendrick and Aberfoyle Slamannan Slamannan and Borrowstounness Wemyss and Buckhaven Railway West Highland Railway West of Fife Mineral Railway Wilsontown, Morningside and Coltness
Joint lines	Caledonian and Dumbartonshire Junction City Union Dundee and Arbroath Darvel and Strathaven Glasgow and Paisley Joint Glasgow and Renfrew District Glasgow, Barrhead and Kilmarnock Joint Kilsyth and Bonnybridge Portpatrick and Wigtownshire Joint
Other lines	Brechin and Edzell District Campbeltown and Machrihanish Light Railway Cromarty and Dingwall Light Railway Dundee and Arbroath Hagdale Chromate Railway Invergarry and Fort Augustus Lealt Valley Diatomite Railway Lochaber Narrow Gauge Perth, Almond Valley and Methven Rothesay and Ettrick Bay Light Railway Skye Marble Railway Tranent to Cockenzie Waggonway