Railway workers' cottages, Fortrose

These attractive cottages in Fortrose are a reminder of the Black Isle Railway which ran from Muir of Ord to Fortrose. The line was a branch of the Highland Railway network and it carried passengers from 1894 until 1951.

The line ran through farmland on the south side of the Black Isle. It was initially meant to run as far as Rosemarkie but it was never completed. Along the way it stopped at Redcastle, Allangrange, Munlochy, Avoch and a private stop at Rosehaugh for the progressive estate owner, Mr James Douglas Fletcher.

Six cottages make up the row. Originally they would have housed two engine drivers, two porters, a linesman and the guard. Cottage number six, at the far right of the row was always reserved for the guard. There is nothing left of the station itself – the site is taken up with a fire station and car park.

The locals made good use of the train when it was in its heyday. On a Saturday night the trains ran quite late. You could get into Inverness for a football match, have your tea and take in the pictures (cinema) before catching the train back to the Black Isle!