The Highland Rail Partnership was formed in 1997 to promote development of the Highland rail network for passenger, freight and heritage business. Successes have included winter Sunday trains to Wick and Kyle, an extended season for summer weekend trains to Oban and Mallaig, reopening of Beauly Station, the Safeway Flier to Inverness and Georgemas, return of oil deliveries to rail at Fort William and Lairg, lineside timber-loading at Kinbrace and 'The Jacobite' which is Britain's only daily mainline steam operation.
(Permalink) Frank Roach Highland Rail Partnership Kyle Line West Highland Lines

A memorial seat to Frank Spaven was unveiled at Inverness Station prior to a meeting of the Highland Rail Partnership. Frank Spaven was the first head of planning at the Highlands and Islands Development Board and was instrumental in the saving of the Far North and Kyle lines from Inverness.
(Permalink) David Spaven Frank Spaven Highland Rail Partnership Kyle Line

The Scottish Executive has awarded EWS with £1m for timber traffic. The grant will be broken up as follows;



- £158,000 to partly finance the re-development of the rail freight depot at Beattock for timber. EWS is seeking further funding.



- £766,000 for a track access grant for timber sent by rail from Fort William, Crianlarich and Arrochar to Chirk in North Wales.



- £143,000 for a track access grant for timber from Kinbrace in Sutherland to Inverness. The project is also supported by the Highland Council, the Forestry Commission, the Highland Rail Partnership and EWS.


(Permalink) Arrochar and Tarbet Beattock Chirk Crianlarich EWS Forestry Commission Fort William Highland Council Highland Rail Partnership Inverness Kinbrace Timber West Highland Lines