Stewart Stevenson MSP commemorates 150 years of the Inverness to Aberdeen Line

On Saturday 16 August, Stewart Stevenson, Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change, unveiled a plaque at Elgin Station to mark 150 years since the completion of the railway line between Inverness and Aberdeen.

Mr Stevenson was joined by Alasdair McNicoll, Projects Director at First ScotRail, Ron McAulay, Director Scotland for Network Rail, Malcolm Reed, Chief Executive of Transport Scotland and Paul Phillips of EWS freight along with a number of other guests.

The focus of the commemoration was the 40 mile section of railway between Nairn and Keith, which was opened on 18 August 1858, by the Inverness and Aberdeen Junction Railway Company. The section of track created a continuous line from Inverness to Aberdeen meaning that for the first time, passengers could travel direct between the two towns and, after a change at Aberdeen onwards south. It was also the first time that the Highlands were connected by rail to the rest of Scotland and Great Britain.

Guests were invited to attend a buffet hosted by Moray Council in the Elgin Business Centre - formerly the Great North of Scotland station – and to view a railway exhibition in Elgin Museum, which included paintings by young artist Leo du Feu, which concentrate on themes of train travel.

Stewart Stevenson said: "I am delighted to be invited to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the creation of the Aberdeen to Inverness rail line.

"The completion of this line in 1858 was a tremendous engineering success, providing a vital connection between thriving industries in Inverness and Aberdeen and giving further impetus to Scotland’s industrial revolution and the economy of the North.

"Continuing to improve connections is central to this Government's purpose of increasing sustainable economic growth. Scottish Ministers are committed to focusing transport investment on improving connections across Scotland, reducing journey times and improving opportunities for business, leisure and tourism.”

He continued, "People from across Scotland benefitted from this line, as it opened new markets and provided access to some of the most spectacular destinations in the country. We are determined to build on that legacy as we develop a transport infrastructure to meet 21st century needs."

Alasdair McNicoll said: “I am delighted to represent First ScotRail at this occasion which marks an important event in the history of Scotland’s railway. The completion of this line connected the Highlands with the central belt and beyond and heralds a significant link in the rail network as we see it today.”

Railway historian Dr Ann Glen added, "This stretch of railway had a profound effect on travel from the Highlands and Moray coast southwards. It also transformed the economies of places along the route and the wider countryside around it".