Corrour, at a height of 1,338 feet above sea level, is the highest station on the British railway network and one of the most remote. Located in the vast wilderness of Rannoch Moor and not accessible by public road, the station offers access and adventure for walkers and climbers to a challenging part of Scotland. In winter it can be very demanding and dangerous for all but the most experienced of walkers who are competent and properly equipped to navigate and survive in extreme arctic conditions. The building on the left of picture is ‘Station House‘. Owned and built by Corrour Estate, it is a restaurant which is open from mid March until the end of October each year and can justifiably claim to be Britain’s most remote restaurant since it is only accessible by rail or by those able and willing to walk over miles of exposed open country to reach it. The station also provides access to the famous Loch Ossian Youth Hostel, located on the western shore of Loch Ossian, approximately a mile walk from the Station.
The high, well glazed, building at the end of the platform is the former signal box. It now belongs to the Corrour Estate and provides three small well-equipped en-suite sleeping facilities. The Signal Box is a fantastic place for those that want to savour staying in a unique location.
K1, 62005 (showing as 62034) stands at Corrour with a special charter, waiting for the ScotRail service train to Glasgow Queen Street to pass.
An unusual site nowadays, two steam locomotives, a K1 and ‘Black 5’ at Corrour Station as the Glasgow – Fort William/Mallaig ScotRail service leaves.
Some idea of the remoteness of Corrour Station and the wild open landscape can be seen on the picture on the left. Taken at the end of December, the ground is frozen but relatively free of snow cover. The road picked out by the light snow is a rough estate road. The nearest public road is at least 10 miles away. Click on the picture and a larger view of the scene will be revealed which includes Loch Ossian (The Youth Hostel is located at the station end of the loch among the scatter of trees) and the long ridge leading to the ‘Munro’, Carn Dearg. The train approaching the station is the 10.10am ScotRail service from Mallaig to Glasgow Queen Street.
A view looking back from the track to Loch Ossian.
The line’s summit sign 500m north from Corrour Station.
Lochan a’ Chlaidheimh
It is not always cold and icy on Rannoch Moor as this picture shows a summer ScotRail service crossing the moor in August. A time when the thousands of blue lochans sparkle and the grasses, mosses and flowers reveal a really surprising pallet of colours. Walking is still challenging and, even in summer, it can quickly become cold wet and windy. These weather changes require walkers to be prepared and to carry map and compass too. Be aware there is no mobile phone cover.
Fine weather in mid May. Spot the Glasgow – Fort William/Mallaig train lost in the vastness of Rannoch Moor and click to see a wider panorama.
The long climb from Tulloch requires sustained effort. This picture shows Black 5, 44996 working hard 2 miles north of Corrour.
Mallaig/Fort William – Glasgow service
BLACK 5, 44996 approaching Corrour Station, just about to pass the line summit.
The climb north from Rannoch Station to Corrour. Here 44996 passes the ‘Sword Loch’ in fine style.
K1 passes Loch na Sgeallaig, 1km south of Corrour Station on a wild October day.
