Sutherland Station Restoration a "Shining Example" of Far North Line Potential

3rd September 2015

Highland (Scottish Labour) MSP, Rhoda Grant is hailing Helmsdale station as a "shining example" of the potential to improve stations and the passenger experience along the length of the far north line connecting Caithness, Sutherland and Ross with the Highland capital.

Last month Helmsdale Station Community Interest Company, set up in 2009 to rescue and restore the listed station building at Helmsdale as a community project announced that volunteers behind the renovation had been shortlisted for an award under the caring and protecting category at the inaugural Scottish Heritage Angel Awards, to take place in Edinburgh on the 28th September, funded by the Andrew Llyod Webber Foundation.

The Helmsdale station building, originally constructed in the 1870s , had fallen into disrepair and had lain empty for over 20 years has now been rejuvenated with original platform features being reinstated, the stationmasters quarters converted into self-catering holiday accommodation, the station office into a photographic dark room and the waiting room into a visitor information centre.

Commenting, Rhoda Grant MSP said: "This is really good news for the far north line and the group of volunteers and organisers behind the Helmsdale station restoration are a shining example for communities the length of the north of how we can build on our Highland transport heritage and support local communities and the rural Highland economy.

“We are seeing more and more interest in rail as people become more conscious about reducing carbon emissions and environmentally friendly travel. I am keen to see more tourist also using the far north line and restoring historic stations and buildings along the route as well as offering accommodation and other activities in places like Helmsdale is exactly what we need to see more of over the coming years at other stops along the line in order to help ensure the future of both the railway line and the communities it serves."

Mrs Grant continued, “I wish the volunteers nominated for the award the best of luck in Edinburgh later this month, and hope to be able to visit the station building and see the refurbishment first hand whilst I am on constituency visits in Sutherland in October.”

Rhoda Grant MSP also lodged a motion in Parliament congratulating the volunteers on the rejuvenation of the station and wishing the group luck at the award ceremony to be held in Edinburgh at the end of September.