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

Click on photo album to view thumbnails and then click thumbnail to see the full size images 
Strathpeffer » Strathpeffer Environment
01 Peffery Way Logo
01 Peffery Way Logo
The Peffery Way logo showing how the route will follow under the slope of Knockfarrel.
02 Peffery Way
02 Peffery Way
As far as it goes by October 2018. Copyright RCHS,
03 Peffery Way
03 Peffery Way
An explanation of the work so far. Copyright RCHS,
04 Peffery Way
04 Peffery Way
The way back to Strathpeffer Old Station. Copyright RCHS,
05 Peffery Way
05 Peffery Way
Looking towards the end of the one mile of construction. Photo taken c. late 2018 Copyright: RCHS
06 Peffery Way
06 Peffery Way
Passing one of the bridges faithfully reconstructed. Copyright RCHS
07 Peffery Way
07 Peffery Way
1 January 2019 - as far as it goes. A bridge awaited. Copyright RCHS
08 Peffery Way
08 Peffery Way
1 January 2019 - as far as it goes. A bridge awaited. Copyright RCHS
09 Peffery Way
09 Peffery Way
1 January 2019 - Knockfarrel in background. Copyright RCHS
10 Peffery Way
10 Peffery Way
The bridge supports awaiting decking. Photo Taken: 1 January 2019. Copyright RCHS
11 Peffery Way
11 Peffery Way
Looking towards 'the Heights' Photo Taken: 1 January 2019. Copyright RCHS
12 Peffery Way
12 Peffery Way
Looking towards 'the Heights' Photo Taken: 1 January 2019. Copyright RCHS
13 Peffery Way
13 Peffery Way
5 January 2019. The bushes have been burnt and part of the next phase is visible Copyright RCHS
14 Peffery Way
14 Peffery Way
Photo Taken: 5 January 2019. Copyright RCHS
15 Peffery Way
15 Peffery Way
Photo Taken: 5 January 2019. Copyright RCHS
16 Admiring Murdo's Bridge - Peffery Way
16 Admiring Murdo's Bridge - Peffery Way
A New Year's Day walk on 1 January 2020 gave some members of the Wednesday Walking Group an opportunity to admire Murdo's Bridge (some are camera-shy!). Photo copyright RCHS
17 At the end of the platform at the Old Station is the start of the Peffery Way
17 At the end of the platform at the Old Station is the start of the Peffery Way
At the end of the platform at the Old Station is the start of the Peffery Way (on right) with Knockfarrel in the distance. [Photo: Jane Dewar]
18 Coffee after the Peffery Way walk
18 Coffee after the Peffery Way walk
Following the walk, the group returned to the Old Station where there was opportunity to have coffee and Christmas leftovers. [Above photos of 1 January 2020: RCHS]
19 Peffery Way
19 Peffery Way
A mist-shrouded Knockfarrel in the distance. Then, on 4 January 2020, the Peffery Way Association held their post-New Year walk. A group of approximately 50 people enjoyed this, although misty weather prevailed. The group set off from Fodderty Cemetery and joined the track (which a local resident described as "the coffin road") leading to the restored section from Fodderty to Dingwall. Photo copyright RCHS
20 Looking across to Achterneed from the Peffery Way
20 Looking across to Achterneed from the Peffery Way
Looking across to Achterneed from the Peffery Way. [Photo: Jane Dewar]
21 Mobility Scooter friendly Peffery Way
21 Mobility Scooter friendly Peffery Way
Brenda and Jerry Brown. An admirable aspect of the Peffery Way is that anyone using a mobility scooter is not disadvantaged. [Above photos of 1 January 2020: RCHS]
22 Murdo's Bridge" (in Gaelic Drochaid Mhurchaidh) - Peffery Way
22 Murdo's Bridge" (in Gaelic Drochaid Mhurchaidh) - Peffery Way
The plaque honouring "Murdo" reveals that this is now named "Murdo's Bridge" (in Gaelic Drochaid Mhurchaidh) and the passer-by is urged, in Gaelic and in English, to Walk with the trees and the flowers, the bees and the birds and leave no sign. Bridge built by volunteers of the Peffery Way Association, May 2019. Photo taken 1 January 2020 Copyright RCHS
23 Peffery Way
23 Peffery Way
A New Year's Day walk on 1 January 2020 gave some members of the Wednesday Walking Group an opportunity to admire Murdo's Bridge (some are camera-shy!). Photo copyright RCHS
24 Peffery Way Bridge
24 Peffery Way Bridge
The replacement as seen on New Year's Day 1 January 2020. Photo copyright: RCHS
25 Peffery Way
25 Peffery Way
Again on the return journey, the track leading to Dingwall going past Knockbain Farm. Then, on 4 January 2020, the Peffery Way Association held their post-New Year walk. A group of approximately 50 people enjoyed this, although misty weather prevailed. The group set off from Fodderty Cemetery and joined the track (which a local resident described as "the coffin road") leading to the restored section from Fodderty to Dingwall. Photo copyright RCHS
26 Peffery Way
26 Peffery Way
Photograph taken on the return journey showing the bridge on the "coffin road" under which ran the former railway and now the Peffery Way. Then, on 4 January 2020, the Peffery Way Association held their post-New Year walk. A group of approximately 50 people enjoyed this, although misty weather prevailed. The group set off from Fodderty Cemetery and joined the track (which a local resident described as "the coffin road") leading to the restored section from Fodderty to Dingwall. Photo copyright RCHS
27 Bridge over former Railway Line - Peffery Way
27 Bridge over former Railway Line - Peffery Way
Plaque on the bridge over the former railway line, at Fodderty, detailing the history of the line as shown below. The bridge carries the rough track which locals say was known as "the coffin road" and seems entirely possible as the track connects the Lochussie/Knockbain area with Fodderty cemetery. [Photo RCHS]
28 Peffery way
28 Peffery way
Photo courtesy of Peffery Way Association.
29 Peffery Way Route Map
29 Peffery Way Route Map
30 Association map
30 Association map
31 peffrey way continued work since 2020
31 peffrey way continued work since 2020
32 new volunteers
32 new volunteers
33 enjoying a group walk 2022
33 enjoying a group walk 2022
34 volunteers at work 2023
34 volunteers at work 2023
35 New Year walk 2023
35 New Year walk 2023
365 New Year walk 2023
365 New Year walk 2023
peffery way by railway before
peffery way by railway before
peffrey way
peffrey way
peffrey way after
peffrey way after
peffrey way before
peffrey way before
peffrey way before
peffrey way before
peffrey way by railway after
peffrey way by railway after
peffrey way sign
peffrey way sign
volunteers 2022
volunteers 2022

Please submit your comment

Do you have any more information about any of the content on this page.

Your comments are always welcome: