Helmsdale pupils perform song and poem at 150th railway anniversary event
Eighty people alighted at Forsinard from the first northbound train of the day on Friday, June 21. They had arrived to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the opening of the line north from Helmsdale to Wick and Thurso, writes Michael Willmot of the Far North Line Community Rail Partnership.
Forsinard was chosen for the occasion as it is near the midpoint of the section of line opened in 1874 and also the site of the RSPB Flow Country nature reserve. Climate change concern was one theme of the event and during the meeting the importance of both the preservation of the Flow’s carbon capturing peat and of promoting sustainable travel, such as by rail, were emphasised.
Those attending included all the pupils of Helmsdale primary school; their visit may possible by the generous donation of a group travel pass from ScotRail. The school provided a musical welcome and poem for the gathering and then the children were treated to a tour and briefing by RSPB staff about the importance of the reserve – a key element of the Flow Country Partnership currently waiting to hear whether the area has been granted UNESCO World Heritage Site status.
Meanwhile in the conference room there was a presentation about the construction and early history of the line from author and railway historian, Keith Fenwick; and from William Bruce an appreciation of his 75 years travelling on the route (half the route’s history!) and the changes seen in that time.
An excellent lunch was provided by Forsinard Lodge and the afternoon started with Milly Revill Hayward, RSPB Engagement & Communications Officer speaking movingly about the importance of restoring and preserving the bogs of the Flow both because of their unique ecology but also as a very significant carbon store.
The conference section of the event closed with a panel session covering aspirations for the line and updates on recent developments, followed by questions and discussion. The panel comprised Ian Budd from the Friends of the Far North Line, Michael Willmot from the Far North Line Community Rail Partnership, Frank Roach from Hitrans and Ryan Savage from ScotRail. This and the earlier sessions were expertly chaired by John Yellowlees, ScotRail Honorary Rail Ambassador.
Following this, many of the participants took the coach via Strath Halladale and Dounreay to Thurso and thence the train, to travel the 150 year old route across the Flow, one of the most isolated rail lines in the UK.
The event was generously supported by ScotRail, the Friends of the Far North Line, the Highland Railway Society, Helmsdale Station CIC and Venture North.
Keith Fenwick launched his book about the line at the meeting. Entitled “Completing the Far North Line” it traces the history of the three railway companies which built the line north from Bonar Bridge (now Ardgay). Copies are available from the Highland Railway Society, www.hrsoc.org.uk, Timespan in Helmsdale, Dornoch bookshop and Waterstones in inverness.
