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Location notes
Located north of Inverness, Muir of Ord sits between Dingwall and Beaully stations on the Far North and Kyle lines. Situated 8 miles from Inverness, Muir of Ord was actually closed in 1960, but reopened in October 1976. The station used to have a signal box here, when mechanical signaling was in force. Since the introduction of radio signaling (RETB) to the Inverness - Dingwall stretch, in 1988, the signal box has gone, but the passing loop and southbound platform remain.
A further point of interest is that when the original Ness bridge was swept away in 1989, the decision was made to build a replacement bridge, which opened 14 months later, in April 1990. During that 14 month period, services to Wick, Thurso, and Kyle, all started from Dingwall. Muir of Ord station was closed during this period, and a temporary, but properly built servicing depot was established here. This closed once the Ness bridge reopened in 1990, and all maintenance was transfered back to Inverness. At this time, Muir of Ord reopened. Interestingly, rolling stock was transfered by low loader from Inverness to Invergordon every 6 months, and stock used on the far north lines during this period were actually shown as allocated to Muir of Ord (MO).
A further point of interest is that when the original Ness bridge was swept away in 1989, the decision was made to build a replacement bridge, which opened 14 months later, in April 1990. During that 14 month period, services to Wick, Thurso, and Kyle, all started from Dingwall. Muir of Ord station was closed during this period, and a temporary, but properly built servicing depot was established here. This closed once the Ness bridge reopened in 1990, and all maintenance was transfered back to Inverness. At this time, Muir of Ord reopened. Interestingly, rolling stock was transfered by low loader from Inverness to Invergordon every 6 months, and stock used on the far north lines during this period were actually shown as allocated to Muir of Ord (MO).
Railway type and traffic
The scene is dominated by First Scotrail 158s. The scenic nature of the lines does mean it is popular with Railtours. Any diesel loco can be expected on these, providing they meet the ra index, and have either fixed, or portable RETB equipment installed.
Freight consists of tankers from Lairg, and pipes from Georgemass Junction, all hauled by DB Schenker 66s.
Freight consists of tankers from Lairg, and pipes from Georgemass Junction, all hauled by DB Schenker 66s.
Environment
Although in a sheltered spot, this is the highlands of Scotland, and the weather can change suddenly. The two pictures I took were taken on a dull day, which was rather cold. The next day, it was sunny and warm all over the Highlands!
Road directions
From Inverness, follow the A9 over the Kessock Bridge. Stay on this road until you reach the roundabout for Tore. Take the exit signposted for Muir of Ord (A832) and keep on this road. The station is signposted in the village.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Muir of Ord map co-ordinates
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Muir of Ord map co-ordinates
Parking
The car park sits on the site of the old station building, next to the northbound platform. Your car will be in sight at all times. Space is not a premium. However, DO NOT park at the gates which lead to the site of the old Muir of Ord depot. Network Rail may still require access.
Public transport
6 trains each way a day are run by First ScotRail. Stagecoach Inverness runs bus services, mainly route 19.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Amenities
The station is unmanned, and there are no facilities at the station.
From the station car park, turn right, and then right again, and cross the bridge, to go into the village centre, where there are some facilities. Other main facilities can be found in Dingwall and Inverness.
From the station car park, turn right, and then right again, and cross the bridge, to go into the village centre, where there are some facilities. Other main facilities can be found in Dingwall and Inverness.
Accommodation
Plenty of facilities in the area, and
The tourist board website will advise.
Sun Compass
Sun Compass using Suncalc by brought to you by Vladimir Agafonkin:
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Muir of Ord
Streetmap links
Muir of Ord general view map
Muir of Ord close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Muir of Ord
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Muir of Ord
Googly map
Muir of Ord general view map
Muir of Ord close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Muir of Ord
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Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
Do not access, or attempt to gain access to the site of the Muir of Oed Depot
The depot was demolished in 1990, when the ness bridge reopened, and the site has lay disused since. However, it is still covered by railway bye laws, and anyone caught trespassing on the site can be prosecuted.
From the platforms, especially the southbound one, it is possible to see the site, as the concrete apron still exists.
As the station is on a sort of north south axis, the sun will not pose too many problems. Traffic noise is minimal, so videos can be shot without problem.
Just north of the station is a railway station style bridge over the tracks, and this can be used for shots as well.
It gets dark really quickly in the Highlands by the way!
The depot was demolished in 1990, when the ness bridge reopened, and the site has lay disused since. However, it is still covered by railway bye laws, and anyone caught trespassing on the site can be prosecuted.
From the platforms, especially the southbound one, it is possible to see the site, as the concrete apron still exists.
As the station is on a sort of north south axis, the sun will not pose too many problems. Traffic noise is minimal, so videos can be shot without problem.
Just north of the station is a railway station style bridge over the tracks, and this can be used for shots as well.
It gets dark really quickly in the Highlands by the way!
General views - All photographs © Robert Clarke unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north
Fig 2 - Looking south
Disclaimer
All information contained within this is site is © Trainspots. The images used on this site remain the property of the original photographer, as credited at the top of the page, and are used with their kind permission.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavour to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass on either railway or private land. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window. Trainspots has been running now for over 10 years and there are imitation sites and guides to railfotspots. But we are a free site and we continue on the path we started out on over a decade ago to provide a useful guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavour to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass on either railway or private land. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window. Trainspots has been running now for over 10 years and there are imitation sites and guides to railfotspots. But we are a free site and we continue on the path we started out on over a decade ago to provide a useful guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
