Strathpeffer Introduction

Attribution: unknown (The ruin of Free Church in Jamestown)

Welcome to Strathpeffer

Strathpeffer stands in a beautiful setting at the head of the Peffery Valley, 200 ft. above sea-level and guarded to the North by the massive bulk of Ben Wyvis. Strathpeffer is a unique place in that it is the only remaining Scottish Spa. The benefits of its waters were first recognised during the latter half of the 18th. century, although the first Pump Room was not built until 1819. In 1861 a larger Pump Room was built , but this has now been demolished. That site is now occupied by The Tasting Pavilion and Tourist Office. The waters contain Sulphur and Chalybeate (Iron) but only the Sulphur Wells are available at present.

The outstanding Victorian Architecture of the village owed much to the development of the Spa, as does the presence of some outstandingly beautiful trees. The village has several small but interesting shops, most clustered around the Square. The old Railway Station has been converted and now houses the Highland Museum of Childhood, a wood-carver’s workshop and some craft shops.

Several walks exist around the village, giving beautiful views of the surrounding countryside. For the energetic, there is also a splendid 18 hole Golf Course. The population of Strathpeffer is in the region of 1200. A large percentage of its inhabitants are retired. Those employed are involved in Tourism, Forestry, Farming and crofting, with quite a number commuting daily, either to Dingwall or Inverness. The village boasts two vey large hotels (over 100 bedrooms each), several hotels and guest houses, Bed and Breakfast accommodation and self-catering establishments.

Strathpeffer is a good centre from which to explore and visit places of interest, including Loch Ness, Cawdor Castle, Dunrobin Castle and Gardens, Culloden Battle Field, John O’Groats, Skye, Inverewe Gardens with many other diverse and interesting places within easy reach. Hill-walking, sailing, horse riding, tennis and golf can all be sampled without travelling far.

The water feature in the Square, built in the early 1990s

Attribution: unknown

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Strathpeffer » Strathpeffer History » Strathpeffer Biography
Firefly ; the first aeroplane seen in the Highlands
Firefly ; the first aeroplane seen in the Highlands
Firefly ; the first aeroplane seen in the Highlands. (By courtesy of the Curator, Inverness Museum)
Cover
Cover
Elsick House
Elsick House
Elsick House, which became Strathpeffer Youth Hostel, and is currently (2015) private residences.
The memorial gate at Fodderty Churchyard.
The memorial gate at Fodderty Churchyard.
Chalet
Chalet
Clarence Finlayson refers to the Chalet at Knockfarrel but does not include a photograph. Here are two, each taken by Urquhart, Dingwall.
Chalet
Chalet
Clarence Finlayson refers to the Chalet at Knockfarrel but does not include a photograph. Here are two, each taken by Urquhart, Dingwall.
Strathpeffer: a jewel in the Highland casket.
Strathpeffer: a jewel in the Highland casket.
The Old Mill at Milnain, Strathpeffer.
The Old Mill at Milnain, Strathpeffer.
Peat Bath
Peat Bath
Ah! The pleasures of a peat bath. (By courtesy of the National Monument Records of Scotland)
The Pump Room
The Pump Room
The Pump Room in the spa season. (By courtesy of the National Monuments Record of Scotland)
The new Pump Room
The new Pump Room
A reconstruction of an early Celtic settlement
A reconstruction of an early Celtic settlement
A reconstruction of an early Celtic settlement. (BBC copyright photograph)
Castle Leod
Castle Leod
Knockfarrel, from the heights of Achterneed.
Knockfarrel, from the heights of Achterneed.
Knockfarrel, from the heights of Achterneed.
Petition to the Court of the Lord Lyon Scotland
Petition to the Court of the Lord Lyon Scotland
Petition to the Court of the Lord Lyon Scotland (By courtesy of THE SCOTSMAN)
A Crannog on Loch Kinellan
A Crannog on Loch Kinellan
The Eagle Stone
The Eagle Stone
A standing stone, with its mysterious 'cup marks'
A standing stone, with its mysterious 'cup marks'
A standing stone, with its mysterious 'cup marks'. (By courtesy of the National Monuments Record of Scotland)
Approaching the summit of Knockfarrel from Strathpeffer. An etching by Allan Haldane.
Approaching the summit of Knockfarrel from Strathpeffer. An etching by Allan Haldane.
Monument to the memory of the Honourable Caroline Mackenzie
Monument to the memory of the Honourable Caroline Mackenzie
Monument to the memory of the Honourable Caroline Mackenzie (By courtesy of the National Monuments Record of Scotland.)
The Silly Stones
The Silly Stones
The Silly Stones. (By courtesy of the National Monuments Record of Scotland)
Plaque detailing the measurements of the trees in question.
Plaque detailing the measurements of the trees in question.
The largest Spanish chestnut tree in Great Britain
The largest Spanish chestnut tree in Great Britain
The Square in Strathpeffer
The Square in Strathpeffer
The Strath, a general view.
The Strath, a general view.

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