Coordinates: 57°35′00″N 4°32′45″W / 57.5832°N 4.5457°W / 57.5832; -4.5457

Strathpeffer
Scottish Gaelic: Srath Pheofhair
Strathpeffer  Strathpeffer shown within the Ross and Cromarty area
Population	1,469
OS grid reference	NH478576
- Edinburgh	125 miles (200 km)
- London	600 miles (735 km)
Council area	Highland
Lieutenancy area	Ross and Cromarty
Country	Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	STRATHPEFFER
Postcode district	IV14
Dialling code	01997
Police	Northern
Fire	Highlands and Islands
Ambulance	Scottish
EU Parliament	Scotland
UK Parliament	Ross, Skye and Lochaber
Scottish Parliament	Highlands and Islands
	Ross, Skye and Inverness West
List of places: UK • Scotland •

Strathpeffer (Scottish Gaelic: Srath Pheofhair) is a village and spa town in Ross and Cromarty, Highland, Scotland, with a population of 1,469.

Geography

It lies in a glen 5 miles west of Dingwall, with varying elevation from 200 to 400 feet above sea level. Sheltered on the west and north, it has a comparatively dry and warm climate.

History

Clach an Tiompain, a Class 1 Pictish symbol 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 reference NH47625773^[1]). Very little is known about the battle there, not even its date, other than the MacKenzies of Seaforth defeated the MacDonells of Glengarry and some incident took place at a well near the battlefield, subsequently called Tobar a' Chinn (well of the head).

The Battle of Blar Na Pairce, battle (field) of the park, in approximately 1486 saw the local MacKenzies, under their chief Kenneth MacKenzie, successfully defeat a large invading force of MacDonalds. The battlefield lies south-west of the modern village, on the banks of Loch Kinellan. The loch contains a crannog, which remained a hunting seat of the Earls of Ross until the late medieval period and was reportedly visited by Robert The Bruce during his reign. It was from this crannog that Kenneth MacKenzie went out to meet the MacDonalds.

The Battle of Drumchatt took place in 1497 on Drumchatt (Druimchat) or "the Cat's Back", a ridge to the southeast of Strathpeffer. The Clan Mackenzie and Clan Munro defeated the invading Clan MacDonald of Lochalsh.

Strathpeffer from the north east

In the Victorian era Strathpeffer was popular as a spa resort, owing to the discovery of sulphurous springs 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. The Pavilion dates 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 stunning new venue for the arts, weddings, other functions, and events of all kinds.

Railway

The arrival of the railways in Dingwall in 1862 did much to bring more visitors to the town. In 1885 a branch line from the Kyle of Lochalsh Line was built and Strathpeffer railway station was opened on 3 June; the most logical route for the line to Kyle of Lochalsh was through the town, but disagreements with landowners initially prevented the railway from crossing their land. The branch closed in 1946. The station now contains a variety of shops and craft outlets as well as the Highland Museum of Childhood. The nearest stations are now in Dingwall and Garve.

A project is underway by the Strathpeffer Spa Railway Association to restore some of the track, buy an engine and run a short heritage line.^[2]

Tourism

A view across Strathpeffer (Facing North)

Because of its location in the heart of the Highlands, and because it contains several large hotels and many guest houses, holiday cottages and B&B establishments, Strathpeffer has remained a popular visitor attraction and a good base for touring the Highlands. Aladdin's Cave for Tourist's in the Square is always an interesting visit, full of wonders from all over, including all the local maps and guides to the many walks in the surrounding area. There is also a very scenic golf course, which boasts the longest drop from tee to green of any course in Britain.

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 is Castle Leod, seat of the Earl of Cromartie, Chief of the Clan Mackenzie, which is now open to the public several times a year (details on the Strathpeffer Pavilion website). The annual Strathpeffer Highland Gathering, one of the longest-established Highland Games in Scotland, takes place in the grounds of Castle Leod every August.

Music

Strathpeffer is home to a vibrant music scene and has been described as "The Highland Village of Music". Strathpeffer Pavilion has hosted major acts such as Deacon Blue and The Kaiser Chiefs. The Coffee Shop in Cromartie Buildings is a haven for songwriting and musical talent in the genres of folk, country and roots, regularly hosting acts such as Rory McLeod and Cara Luft. Strathpeffer and District Pipe Band perform regularly in the square and are in their 31st year.

External links

• Strathpeffer village website
• Strathpeffer Community Centre
• Strathpeffer Pavilion
• Aladdin's Cave
• Strathpeffer Spa Golf Club
• Highland Museum of Childhood
• Castle Leod
• Strathpeffer Branch at railscot.co.uk
• Strathpeffer Community Council

Notes and references

•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.