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Location notes
This is the site of the long derelict Culloden station on the Inverness to Perth line, some seven miles from Inverness. It is just under one mile to the east of the battlefield visitor centre at a hamlet called Newlands. The line is easily viewed from the road on either side of the road over bridge. Trains heading south are sometimes held at the end of the dual track section, which is visible in the cutting.
Railway type and traffic
Most of the traffic is First ScotRail class 170s, with just the odd 158 appearing on the morning service from Newtonmore, and sometimes in tandem with a 170 when returning from a heavy service at Haymarket. Other traffic brings class 67 on the Caledonian sleeper - inbound just before 08:00, and outbound 20:25 off Inverness, it is about 12 minutes to this location from Inverness by train. The Highland Chieftain completes the passenger picture; 07:55 off Inverness soutbound and due at 20:08 inbound.
DB Schenker class 66 or 67s on the Mossend to Lairg tanks - Mondays about mid-day northbound and 19:30 off Milburn yard southbound. This train picks up the southbound Mossend vans and runs as a combined train south of Inverness. Can also run on demand on other days.
DB Schenker class 66 or 67s on the Mossend to Lairg tanks - Mondays about mid-day northbound and 19:30 off Milburn yard southbound. This train picks up the southbound Mossend vans and runs as a combined train south of Inverness. Can also run on demand on other days.
Environment
You are viewing the line from the B9006 road, but you could easily miss the location if you are not looking for it, as the road is high above the cutting or viaduct. There are a few scattered houses and a small transport depot on the right hand side just past the viaduct heading out of Inverness. There is something like a smallholding opposite this depot; do not be put off by the barking dogs - they are collared!
Road directions
The easiest way to get here is to head out of Inverness city as if heading south on the A9. Some 2 miles out of Inverness you pass under the B9006, and the slip road is immediately on the left. Go to the traffic lights at the top, and turn right (Culloden Road). Keep going for the best part of 5 miles You may get glimpses of the viaduct over the fields to your right; this should be the cue to slow down.
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Culloden Viaduct, North Side map co-ordinates
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Culloden Viaduct, North Side map co-ordinates
Parking
If you are around after the working day, it is possible to park in the entrance to the transport depot. But beware, the odd bus uses this to reverse into to turn round. Otherwise tuck you car well into the side of the road - the east side of the bridge is probably safer. Walk the few yards back and peer over! Beware the road traffic is quite frequent and oblivious to speed limits!
Public transport
Simply take the Rapsons Coaches no 7 Bus which will be going to Piperhill and ask the driver for Sunnyside. This bus leaves from the main post office at Queensgate in Inverness.
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
There is nothing at the location.
Accommodation
Inverness city has any number of hotels and guest houses. There are also a couple of guest houses adjacent to the battlefield visitor centre. There is a caravan park a short distance further east on the left hand side.
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.
Culloden Viaduct, North Side
Streetmap links
Culloden Viaduct, North Side general view map
Culloden Viaduct, North Side close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Culloden Viaduct, North Side
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Culloden Viaduct, North Side
Googly map
Culloden Viaduct, North Side general view map
Culloden Viaduct, North Side close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Culloden Viaduct, North Side
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Photographic notes
This situation is only any good whilst there is usable daylight as trains pass at speed. Best times of day for the light are early morning to mid-day for southbound shots, as the cutting can be quite dim, otherwise. However the late afternoon / evening is definitely better for inbound trains. Inevitably with such a location the angles are quite acute.
Videographers with a long zoom can get great inbound shots as you can see the line all the way over the viaduct and onto the embankment beyond, so some long sequences available here.
Videographers with a long zoom can get great inbound shots as you can see the line all the way over the viaduct and onto the embankment beyond, so some long sequences available here.
General views - All photographs © Stuart Lillie unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking south
Fig 2 - Looking north
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.
