The Strath Puffer Cache Traditional Cache
Lorgadh: As the owner has not responded to my previous log requesting that they check this cache I am archiving it.
Regards
Karen
Lorgadh - Volunteer UK Reviewer
www.geocaching.com
UK Geocaching Policies Wiki
Geocaching Help Center
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(small)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
A gentle walk along flat ground, although may be very muddy in wet weather
Although the area has been inhabited for very many hundreds of years, Strathpeffer was not developed as a spa until the 19th and early 20th centuries. One of the most important developments was the coming of the railway to Strathpeffer in 1885. It had originally been hoped to build the Highland Railway line from Inverness through Strathpeffer and then on to Kyle of Lochalsh, but some landowners in the village were unwilling to sell part of the land needed, so the line was therefore constructed along the north side of the valley and then north of Raven’s Rock in 1870. A station was opened at Achterneed. It was originally called Strathpeffer station, but was subsequently renamed when, on June 3 1885, a branch line was opened from Fodderty Junction to the terminus at Strathpeffer The station was built to the design of Murdoch Paterson, and this then allowed wealthy visitors to travel all the way from London to Strathpeffer by rail.
During the First and Second World Wars the village’s large villas and hotels were commandeered by the armed forces as a US naval hospital, and wounded servicemen were brought to the village by rail. Sidings further down the valley were used as ammunition stores for the naval base at Invergordon. The station was finally closed to passenger traffic in 1946 and the last freight train ran in 1951 after which date the rail tracks were dismantled. After falling into disrepair, the buildings were fully restored in 1986 and make up the Victorian Station Visitor Centre: set in secluded gardens and picnic areas they are home to the Highland Museum of Childhood, a tearoom and a variety of gift and craft shops. Just the place to step back in time and relax at the end of a day geocaching in the area!
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)