6B DUKE OF SUTHERLAND'S RAILWAY

The railway was authorised in 1870 and merged into the Highland Railway in 1884. It opened from Dunrobin to a temporary terminus outside Helmsdale in 1870 and to Helmsdale itself the following year. It remains open throughout although a number of intermediate stations closed to passengers and/or goods in the 1960s.

Duke of Sutherland's Railway

Authorised: 20/6/1870
Merged into Highland Railway: 1884

Opened
Dunrobin - Gartymore (West Helmsdale) 10/1870*1
Golspie - Helmsdale 19/6/1871*2

*1: Section of line between two temporary termini. Dunrobin later became a private platform. The station at Helmsdale was replaced by a permanent one on the extension of the line.

*2: O 16/5/1871 for contractor's traffic. Line worked by the Highland Railway.

Stations

271 DUNROBIN*1 (G 2/11/64 P 29/11/65)

272 BRORA

273 LOTH*2 (P 13/6/60 G/CC 18/5/64)

274 WEST HELMSDALE*3 (P/CC 19/6/1871)

275 HELMSDALE

*1: Temporary terminus.Later became private platform serving Dunrobin castle. Reopened as private station.

*2: Unstaffed from 4/7/49

*3: Replaced by new station at Helmsdale on extension of line.

Station openings

Temporary stations at Dunrobin and West Helmsdale opened on 10/1870, to be replaced by stations at Brora and Helmsdale on 19/6/1871. Loth opened 7/1871.

Closures

West Helmsdale shut in 1871 when the line was extended. Loth closed to passengers in 1960 and to goods in May 1964. Dunrobin closed to goods in November of that year and to passengers in November 1965. Brora and Helmsdale remain open.