The Far North

Drivers Eye View

Dingwall to Wick and Thurso - Much of the 142 miles from Dingwall to Wick is sparsley inhabited.

The line follows the coastal contours through Invergordon to Tain.

Instead of taking the direct route across the Dornoch Firth, the line heads inland via Lairg.

After Rogart we pass through the long since closed “Mound” station still with its platform for the Dornoch branch intact.

We take a look at the remains of their erstwhile line and discover Dornoch station building still surviving.

At Golspie the line became the “Duke of Sutherland’s Railway” - one of the longest ever privately built lines.

Dunrobin Castle Station is next en route. Here we learn a little about the Third Duke, from his great great grandson Lord Strathnaver.

By the time the line reaches Helmsdale the coast has become more rugged than ever.

From there it proved absolutely impossible to drive the railway any further along the coast, therefore our train heads inland again, this time through the remote Strath of Kildonan for 25 miles to Forsinard.

At least there is a road along the valley but from there to Georgemas the railway is quite alone.

Britain’s most northerly junction is where our four-car class 156 Sprinter divides.

Unlike normal travellers you get the chance to see BOTH branches, firstly to Thurso and finally Wick. Filmed 1990.