Tourism

Culrain - Invershin core path

Silvia Muras

— 3 min read
Culrain - Invershin core path
© Crown copyright 2024 Ordnance Survey. Media 017/24.

CULRAIN & INVERCHARRON AREA

0.69 km

  • Constructed path. Suitable for walking and cycling.

  • If cycling, please note that the viaduct is narrow with two flights of steep steps. There is a bike rail, however it might be challenging if you are carrying a fully loaded bike with panniers. 

  • If arriving by car, there is parking in Culrain (West side) or in Layby on A836 just north of railway viaduct (East side). 


By Silvia Muras

The Invershin Viaduct Footbridge was opened on the 9th of May 2000. Its aim was to provide a safe pedestrian link between the villages of Invershin and Culrain. 
The only A-listed building in the Kyle of Sutherland area, the Shin Railway Viaduct (also known as Invershin Viaduct or Oykel Viaduct) was built for the Sutherland Railway by engineers Joseph Mitchell and Murdoch Paterson and it opened to traffic on 13 April 1868. Since then, the rail bridge was used as an unofficial - and illegal - link between Culrain and Invershin. 


That’s why, to discourage people from crossing over the rail lines, two train stations were built on both ends of the railway, covering one of the shortest distances between stations in the North of Scotland. The journey from Invershin to Culrain by train covers 1/4 of a mile and takes only 1 min. The journey by foot doesn’t take long either, between 5 and 10 minutes.

(Left) Stairs with cycle ramp on the side. (Centre) The walkway has been built off the side of the viaduct. © Katrin Lopes-Carrie (Right) View from the footpath. © Shona Sutherland

The walkway is stable and well-maintained, and there are some spectacular views up and down the Kyle of Sutherland. 


This path offers an exciting alternative crossing point of the Kyle of Sutherland to those cycling the National Cycle Route 1 (from Dover to John O’Groats and beyond). 


There are light switches on both sides, providing illumination at night. (Centre) A plaque in memory of Sandy Chalmers was erected in 2018. (Right) The path as it approaches Culrain station. Photos © Katrin Lopes-Carrie

There are light switches providing light for cyclists and walkers when using the bridge at night, and a commemorative plaque in memory of local councillor Sandy Chalmers.
You can continue your walk west with the nearby Carbisdale core path (7.76km long), or east with the Invershin Balblair core path (2.87km).

Finally, if you are walking with dogs, please be aware that the ground is grating on the bridge and your dog might not like it!

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