Wikipedia

Strathpeffer

Strathpeffer(Scottish Gaelic:Srath Pheofhair) is a village andspa towninRoss and Cromarty,Highland,Scotland,with a population of 1,469.

Strathpeffer
Strathpeffer is located in Ross and Cromarty
Strathpeffer
Strathpeffer
Location within theRoss and Cromartyarea
Population1,040 (2022)[1]
OS grid referenceNH478576
•Edinburgh125 miles (200 km)
•London600 miles (735 km)
Council area
Lieutenancy area
CountryScotland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townSTRATHPEFFER
Postcode districtIV14
Dialling code01997
PoliceScotland
FireScottish
AmbulanceScottish
UK Parliament
Scottish Parliament
List of places
UK
Scotland
57°35′00″N4°32′45″W/ 57.5832°N 4.5457°W/57.5832; -4.5457

Geography

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It lies in astrath5 miles (8 km) west ofDingwall,with the elevation ranging from 60 to 120 m (200 to 400 ft) abovesea level.Sheltered on the west and north, it has a comparatively dry and warm climate.

History

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Clach an Tiompain(also known as the Eagle Stone), a Class 1Pictishsymbol stone in Strathpeffer

The strategic location of the village has led to several battles being fought in the area:

  • Blar Nan Ceann (battle (field) of the heads), lies at the western end of the modern village (grid referenceNH47625773[2]). Very little is known about the battle there, not even its date, other than the MacKenzies of Seaforth defeated theMacDonells of Glengarryand some incident took place at a well near the battlefield, subsequently called Tobar a' Chinn (well of the head).
  • Battle of Blar Na Pairce(battle (field) of the park), in approximately 1486 saw the localMacKenzies,under their chief Kenneth MacKenzie, defeat a large invading force ofMacDonalds.The battlefield lies south-west of the modern village, on the banks of Loch Kinellan. The loch contains acrannog,which remained a hunting seat of theEarls of Rossuntil the late medieval period and was reportedly visited byRobert The Bruceduring his reign. It was from this crannog that Kenneth MacKenzie went out to meet the MacDonalds.
  • TheBattle of Drumchatt,which took place in 1497 on Drumchatt (Druimchat) or "the Cat's Back", a ridge to the southeast of Strathpeffer. TheClan MackenzieandClan Munrodefeated the invadingClan MacDonald of Lochalsh.
Strathpeffer from the north east

In theVictorian eraStrathpeffer was popular as a spa resort, owing to the discovery ofsulphuroussprings in the 18th century. The pump-room in the middle of the village dates from 1819. Soon after that, a hospital and a hotel were also built. During World War 1, the hospital was a convalescent US Naval Hospital</ref>https://www.history.navy.mil/our-collections/photography/numerical-list-of-images/nhhc-series/nh-series/NH-115000/NH-115798.html</ref>. In 1942 the Spa hospital was destroyed by fire.[3]TheStrathpeffer Paviliondates from 1880, and was built to provide a venue for entertainment of the visitors. It fell into disuse and disrepair towards the end of last century, but has now been restored as a new venue for the arts, weddings, other functions, and events of all kinds.

Coal like material was found near Castle Leod in the 1700s and was worked for a short time. The material was evaluated by well known Mining Engineer John Geddes in the mid 1800s but it is not known if his suggestion that it should be further evaluated was implemented.

Railway

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The arrival of the railways in Dingwall in 1862 did much to bring more visitors to the town. In 1885 a branch line from theKyle of Lochalsh Linewas built andStrathpeffer railway stationwas opened on 3 June; the most logical route for the line was through the town, but disagreements with landowners initially prevented the railway from crossing their land. The branch closed in February 1946.[4]The station now contains a variety of shops and craft outlets as well as theHighland Museum of Childhood.The station building itself is of classic Victorian architecture and still has the original platform which many shops front onto. The nearest stations are now in Dingwall and Garve.

A project is under way by the Strathpeffer Spa Railway Association to restore some of the track, buy an engine and run a short heritage line.[5]

Tourism

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A view across Strathpeffer (facing north)

Strathpeffer's distinctive Victorian architecture has added to its appeal.[citation needed]Strathpeffer contains several large hotels and many guest houses, holiday cottages and B&B establishments. There is a scenic golf course, which boasts the longest drop from tee to green of any course in Scotland.[6]

Strathpeffer is the home of one of the world's most extreme mountain bike races, theStrathpuffer,a 24-hour event held in January each year.[7]Organised by Square Wheels bike shop, it uses the local trail network and regularly attracts over 400 competitors.

The Strathpeffer and District Pipe Band and local Highland dancers perform in the square every Saturday from end May to September, and this is a popular gathering for both visitors and residents. Nearby isCastle Leod,seat of the Earl of Cromartie, Chief of the Clan Mackenzie, which is now open to the public several times a year. The annual Strathpeffer Highland Gathering, one of the longest-established Highland Games in Scotland, takes place in the grounds ofCastle Leodevery August.

Music

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Strathpeffer Pavilionhas hosted acts such asDeacon Blue,The Kaiser ChiefsandEdwyn Collins.[citation needed]Strathpeffer and District Pipe Band was formed in 1980 and play regularly in the square.[citation needed]

Sport

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Strathpeffer is the home ofCaberfeidhCamanachd Club who play their home games at Castle Leod. The team currently play in shinty'sNational Division One.They also field a reserve team inNorth Division Two.The team have twice won shinty's premier competition, theCamanachd Cup;in 1934 and 1939.

Notable people

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  • Charles Kennedy(1959–2015) MP for the then seat of Ross, Cromarty & Skye lived here in the 1980s and early 1990s.[8]
  • Rev William Fraser(1851–1919) minister of Strathpeffer Free Church 1908 to 1919.

Notes and references

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  1. ^"Mid-2020 Population Estimates for Settlements and Localities in Scotland".National Records of Scotland.31 March 2022.Retrieved31 March2022.
  2. ^Site Record for Blar Nan Ceann,Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland
  3. ^"Spa hospital fire. £20,000 Strathpeffer outbreak".The Glasgow Herald.29 April 1942. p. 6.Retrieved24 March2017.
  4. ^"Strathpeffer Railway Station".www.ambaile.org.uk.Retrieved17 August2016.
  5. ^"Railway Restoration Project – Strathpeffer, Ross-Shire, Highlands".Strathpeffervillage.org.uk.Retrieved2 December2012.
  6. ^"Strathpeffer Spa Golf Club".theaa.com.Retrieved25 January2019.
  7. ^Strathpuffer 24 homepageRetrieved 21 November 2017
  8. ^Hurst, Greg (August 2006).Charles Kennedy.Politicos. p. 54.ISBN1-84275-176X.
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