This is one of two notable summits on the Kyle line, this being a summit of 458 ft (further west is Luib Summit of 646 ft). Many trains would require banking, a locomotive pushing in the rear to assist the climb, going west, from Dingwall. Also known as Raven's Rock Summit.
At this summit the line crosses from the Strath of the River Peffery to the Rogie Burn and Strath Garve.
The summit is on the route required by Sir William Mackenzie 9th Baronet, of Coul House to avoid his house and lands. From Fodderty Junction the line climbs hard to Raven Rock before dropping down to the shore of Loch Garve and Garve station. The original proposal was to take the line through Strathpeffer and Contin, it would pass through four miles of Mackenzie's property and close to his house. This route was also not without its challenges but would have better served the growing spa town of Strathpeffer than the distant Strathpeffer [1st] station and later Strathpeffer [2nd] terminus.
In 1925 a set of quarry sidings were opened for the local council to provide road material. The site had no road access. The sidings were served fro the west, located on the south side of the line just west of the cutting at the summit. This quarry closed in 1939 and the siding was taken out in 1952.
It is due to the deviation that today there is no Strathpeffer station.
The climb to the summit and failure to have a station in Strathpeffer continue to be challenges for the Kyle line.
Nearby stations Achterneed Strathpeffer [2nd] Garve Dingwall Conon Bridge Alcaig Muir of Ord Lochluichart [1st] Muir of Ord Market Stance Platform Lochluichart Lochluichart [2nd] Foulis Culbokie Redcastle Beauly | Blackwater Viaduct Fodderty Junction Yard Fodderty Junction Luichart Power Station Tourist/other Raven Rock Rogie Falls Highland Hotel [Strathpeffer] Elsick House Coul House Loch Garve Knockfarrel Fort Strathgarve Lodge Ben Wyvis - An Cabar Brae House Ben Wyvis |
Location names in dark blue are on the same original line. |
Ben Wyvis Rack and Pinion RailwayA proposal was made in the 1970s to build a a rack and pinion railway northwards from an interchange near Raven Rock Summit to the summit of Ben Wyvis (3,432 ft). |
/10/1925 | Dingwall and Skye Railway Raven Rock Summit quarry siding opens. |
/07/1939 | Dingwall and Skye Railway Raven Rock Summit quarry closes. |
/03/1952 | Dingwall and Skye Railway Raven Rock Summit siding removed. |