The Highland Railway ran from Perth in Central Scotland north to Inverness and then on up the east coast to Wick and Thurso. From Dingwall, the railway ran west to Kyle of Lochalsh to serve Skye and the Western Isles. From Inverness, another line ran east to Keith, where it connected with the line to Aberdeen. Several branches were built from this core network to serve nearby towns.
The Highland Railway Society caters for all those interested in the Highland Railway from its inception to the current day. Membership currently costs £12.50 per year (or £10.00 if you are under 18 or over 65), for which you receive a quarterly journal and purchase Society publications at reduced prices. An email chat group encourages discussion between members.
As well as being a source of information for modellers, kits and components which are not otherwise available have been produced in both 4mm and 7mm scales.
The Society has established an extensive archive of books, photographs and drawings. Many of the drawings and photographs can be viewed on the Highland Council's Am Baile website. Some of the artefacts are on display at Kyle of Lochalsh Station courtesy of the Friends of the Kyle Line during the summer months. The Society is keen to expand this collection either by donation or purchase.
The Society is please to announce the publication of Blair Atholl's Railway by Howard Geddes. The author has been able to draw on several early photographs which illustrate how the station grew. He also shows how the development of the station and the village went hand in hand. Containing 112 pages and 93 illustrations plus 8 maps, the book is priced at £9.50 (£11.20 by post). Members can obtain copies for £7 at meetings and exhibitions or £8.70 by post. To order, please send a cheque made payable to the Highland Railway Society to John Roake, Ringmarsh Cottage, Horsington, Templecombe, BA8 0EL. |