Guide to Strathpeffer
Victorian Spa Town in the Highlands
The Highland town of Strathpeffer dates back to the end of the 17th century,
but the late Victorian period was its heyday.
It grew from a village to a bustling spa town. Much of the old town is typical Scottish Victorian -
ornate domestic buildings and hotels with lots of gables, turrets and hanging tiles.
A great deal of this has been extremely well preserved and this gives Strathpeffer much of its character today.
Most of the modern building has been built at the West end of the town, separated from the old by the new
school and community centre and its playing fields. Although the other interpretation of this town planning is
that the council housing has been kept well away from the expensive private housing - a typical British class divide.
Spa Waters & the Railway
The Victorians believed the spa waters had lots of health benefits. The spa town started from a wooden pump room in the early 19th century then Strathpeffer added a variety of impressive hotels and the Pavilion, right at the centre of the original village.
The coming of the railway in 1885 - and another large hotel built by the railway company - meant that Strathpeffer
was a fashionable outing direct from London by train.
Soon Strathpeffer was a small town, boasting four large hotels, (one of which was burned to the ground
during the late Victorian era,) and several smaller ones including Mackay's and the Richmond Hotel.
There are probably more hotel bedrooms in Strathpeffer than domestic ones.
Alas, the railway also foreshadowed Strathpeffer's future decline. Due to the refusal of one or two local landowners, the railway could not go through Strathpeffer, but had to settle for a branch line terminating in the village. The through line from Dingwall bypassed the village.
Twentieth Century Strathpeffer
The Great War of 1914-1918 killed not only many of Scotland's young men but also changed the country for ever. The spa trade disappeared and with that, much of Strathpeffer's prosperity. The branch railway line was closed and many of the grand hotels fell into disrepair.
Strathpeffer was, however, spared the 1960s and 1970s redevelopment which spoilt so many of Britain's towns and cities.
It still has most of its Victorian architecture and character - this is certainly what makes it such an attractive holiday destination.
The old railway station was rescued and turned into a series of small units - The Museum of Childhood, a cafe (with daily newspapers to browse) and gift shop. It is now in a much better state of repair than most 'working' stations still in use for trains; it is popular with locals as well as tourists.
Eagle Stone
Discover a Local Legend by visiting The Eagle Stone, an early Pictish symbol stone from around 700 AD.
According to this legend a prophecy was made by the Braam Seer (whose wooden carved figure can be seen in the gardens
behind the Pavilion) that when the Eagle Stone falls three times, ships will be able to be moored on it. The stone has
apparently already fallen twice and with global warming causing rising sea levels who knows...Maybe the sea will
reach Strathpeffer one day! Take a short walk up a path signposted off the main road just beyond the Cromarty Building.
The town is a popular base for walkers; there is plenty in the vicinity to suit all abilities. From the west end of the village a forest track leads to the hill of Cnoc Mor; a diversion en-route takes in Knock Farril a Pictish hill fort, worth the trip for the views alone. A more modern construction, dating from the early 1990s, is the Touchstone Maze. This is a maze formed from 81 stones in concentric circles, using many different types of rock found in Scotland.
Present Day Strathpeffer
The Village Centre
The original Victorian Pavilion has been renovated as an arts centre. During the 2007 season The Pavilion
greatly benefited from the temporary closure of the main concert venue in Inverness and has had a steady stream of
well known musicians of various genres. Now Strathpeffer has had a taste of the arts it is hoped this will continue.
The Pavilion also houses the Red Poppy Restaurant which offers lunches and evening meals.
Local landmarks and beauty spots include Blackmuir Wood, where Ross Holiday Homes,
Ben Wyvis Lodges are situated as well as a number of
historical monuments dating from early Pictish history to present day. There are also nearby woods and lochs ideal for walking, running or cycling.
The parade of shops in The Square opposite The Pavilion is the heart of the village. Here you can find McColls supermarket which incorporates the post office, a hairdresser, chemist and gift shops. The cycle hire and repair shop Square Wheels is just across the Square where you can also find maps of walks in the area and good advise.
Just down the hill from the Square, in the Cromarty Building, is an Internet cafe, Digit Works, for those of us who can't survive for more than a couple of days without e mail. The owner, Mark, is a multi-skilled man who also bakes for The Coffee Shop further down, which not only has an excellent supply of home baked cakes but Spirit MacKenzie will also prepare packed lunches on request from her delicious menu.
Strathpeffer golf course
The golf course is at the highest point of Strathpeffer and has splendid views across the surrounding hills. The course is described as "challenging" and boasts the biggest drop in height of any first hole in Scotland. There are numerous other golf courses within easy (car) driving distance.
Castle Leod
Castle Leod sits in the shadow of Ben Wyvis on the edge of Strathpeffer. Although it is still the family home of the Earl of Cromartie, the head of the Mackenzie Clan , it is open twice a month during the summer months for guided tours. It is one of only a few Scottish castles still occupied by the family, who have lived there for five hundred years.