Cromarty and Dingwall Railway Bridge

Visitors to the area might be interested to know that there was once plans for a 'Light Railway' line to run along the northern edge of the Black Isle, from Dingwall to Cromarty. En route the train was to stop at Alcaig, Culbokie, Ellan Vannin and Drumcudden. The building work started in 1914, from the Cromarty end of the line.

From the projected financial figures it seemed the Company would be successful. Revenue from passengers was to make up half the returns with the remainder coming from goods, livestock and mail. The project was supported not only by the large estate owners and farmers but by the local businessmen and smallholders as well.

In her 'Recollections of A Bygone Age', Jessie Munro, a native of the Black Isle, talks about local enthusiasm for the project, 'This (the railway) was to benefit all of us in the area. My own father had a share in it, as did many other people'.

 Unfortunately, with the outbreak of the first World War, more and more workmen were called away for military projects. Work on the railway came to a standstill. After the war, attempts to revive the project failed and the Company went into liquidation in 1925. It was a sad end to what might have been. In Jessie's word again,

'We all considered this a great pity, for it would have done wonders for these outlying districts and the town of Cromarty, which was always a difficult place to reach unless by sea or stage-coach.'