The Railways of the Isle of Skye and Adjacent Islands

[rogerfarnworth]

In April/May 2025 we had a holiday on Skye and as part of that started finding out about the history of industrial railways on Skye and immediately adjacent islands.

The first we investigated was a line used to carry Diatomite from Loch Cuithir to Lealt on Skye the linked article below looks at that industry and follows the line. ...

The Railways of Skye & Adjacent Islands – Part 1 – Loch Cuithir to Lealt

Derived from the remains of microscopic fossilized sea or freshwater algaes, diatomite is a naturally occurring, versatile mineral used in an array of applications from cosmetics to filtration. [4]…

rogerfarnworth.com

Derived from the remains of microscopic fossilized sea or freshwater algaes, diatomite is a naturally occurring, versatile mineral used in an array of applications from cosmetics to filtration. [4] It was harvested by drag line from Loch Cuithir in the late 19th century and the first half of the 20th century.

“This unique form of silica has an elaborate honeycomb structure, peppered with thousands of tiny holes ranging from a few microns to submicron diameters. No other silica source, be it mined or artificially produced, presents such a structure. Some diatomite deposits are saltwater but most are from freshwater sources. … When ground, this profusion of shapes results in an extremely low-density powder known as ‘diatomaceous earth’ (DE) which has excellent absorption properties that are highly prized for filtration, agriculture, paints, plastics, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals application.” [4]

Diatomite was also used in the production of dynamite. [2][3]

Other articles will follow in due course. ....

 

[Howardh]

I love looking at the maps showing these old mineral lines, and today how much is left of them. If I recall correctly, even little Unst had a mineral line to a small port! Always willing to learn if any actual lines still survive even if unused, or any that have been turned into pathways used by the public.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

If I've got my bearings right, that's a fairly remote part of North East Skye, with Loch Cuithir located just below (to the East) of the Trotternish Ridge, and several km from the coast road. Whilst we're talking about the "Misty Isle", wasn't there also another, fairly short-lived narrow-gauge mineral railway in South Skye, leading down from a marble quarry up in Strath Suardal, to the pier at Broadford? Maybe that'll be the subject of Part Two?!

 

[rogerfarnworth]

If I've got my bearings right, that's a fairly remote part of North East Skye, with Loch Cuithir located just below (to the East) of the Trotternish Ridge, and several km from the coast road. Whilst we're talking about the "Misty Isle", wasn't there also another, fairly short-lived narrow-gauge mineral railway in South Skye, leading down from a marble quarry up in Strath Suardal, to the pier at Broadford? Maybe that'll be the subject of Part Two?!

The Skye Marble Railway is on the list, we walked it while we were there. There are a couple of others closer to completion which will probably come earlier in the series.

Yes, you have your bearings right.

 

[Lloyds siding]

I love looking at the maps showing these old mineral lines, and today how much is left of them. If I recall correctly, even little Unst had a mineral line to a small port! Always willing to learn if any actual lines still survive even if unused, or any that have been turned into pathways used by the public.

I spent some time on Easdale, which despite only just being offshore, qualifies as one of the Hebrides. There are no roads, but the slate quarry railways track beds are now in use as footpaths.

 

[thejuggler]

Raasay has lots of relics from the ironstone industry which operated there, including the track bed. Well worth the short ferry trip from Skye. Great distillery too.

 

[rogerfarnworth]

Yes, the juggler, we went to Raasay, walked the line and went to the distillery. An article about the Iron Ore Mines and their Railways will follow soon. ...

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 30 May 2025 ==

I spent some time on Easdale, which despite only just being offshore, qualifies as one of the Hebrides. There are no roads, but the slate quarry railways track beds are now in use as footpaths.

I checked out Easdale online - these are the results. ...

Easdale is a small island off the coast of Seil in Argyll, Scotland. It was historically the centre of the Scottish slate industry, with seven quarries that were active for nearly three centuries. The remains of these quarries and the associated infrastructure are still visible today, highlighting the scale of the slate mining industry on the island.

The flooded quarries now serve as deep pools and habitats for various flora and fauna. The remains of the quarries and infrastructure are a key element of Scotland's industrial heritage and offer valuable insights into early slate quarrying and industrial processes.

The industrial remains of Easdale continue to define the island's character, and the community has successfully regenerated after a period of decline following the end of the slate industry.

Today, Easdale is a popular destination for visitors and holidaymakers who appreciate its unique landscape and tranquility. The island is known for its World Stone Skimming Championships, held annually in one of the flooded
quarries.

 

[Lloyds siding]

Yes, the juggler, we went to Raasay, walked the line and went to the distillery. An article about the Iron Ore Mines and their Railways will follow soon. ...

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 30 May 2025 ==


I checked out Easdale online - these are the results. ...

Easdale is a small island off the coast of Seil in Argyll, Scotland. It was historically the centre of the Scottish slate industry, with seven quarries that were active for nearly three centuries. The remains of these quarries and the associated infrastructure are still visible today, highlighting the scale of the slate mining industry on the island.

The flooded quarries now serve as deep pools and habitats for various flora and fauna. The remains of the quarries and infrastructure are a key element of Scotland's industrial heritage and offer valuable insights into early slate quarrying and industrial processes.

The industrial remains of Easdale continue to define the island's character, and the community has successfully regenerated after a period of decline following the end of the slate industry.

Today, Easdale is a popular destination for visitors and holidaymakers who appreciate its unique landscape and tranquility. The island is known for its World Stone Skimming Championships, held annually in one of the flooded
quarries.

Sounds a fair description. If you were watching 'From Russia with Love' last night, there was a (very) brief view of Easdale, with much longer views of Scaba and Jura, in the boat chase sequences.

 

[nlogax]

Raasay has lots of relics from the ironstone industry which operated there, including the track bed. Well worth the short ferry trip from Skye. Great distillery too.

Good spot..wish I knew about this when I last visited, I was either in the distillery, the hotel or the restaurant along the road!

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Believe the WW1-era mile-and-a-half Isle of Raasay iron ore cable-worked narrow gauge railway ran from the ironstone mine(s) up at Inverarish down to the pier at the coastal strip, at Suisnish. Have been over to Raasay a number of times over the years, but never quite had the time on a half day trip to properly explore the remains of the old iron ore railway, so it will be interesting to read what @rogerfarnworth has to say in the topic, in due course.

 

[rogerfarnworth]

The Railways of Skye & Adjacent Islands – Part 2 – The Talisker Distillery Tramway

The Talisker Distillery Tramway was a short 2ft-gauge tramway which opened in 1900 and closed in 1948. It ran from Carbost Pier on Loch Harport, along the Harport shore to Talisker Distillery and was used to transport materials for Talisker Distillery.

The Railways of Skye & Adjacent Islands – Part 2 – The Talisker Distillery Tramway

The Talisker Distillery Tramway was a short 2ft-gauge tramway which opened in 1900 and closed in 1948. It ran from Carbost Pier on Loch Harport, along the Harport shore to Talisker Distillery and w…

rogerfarnworth.com

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Part 3 – The Skye Marble Railway

The featured image for this article is the only photograph I have been able to find of ‘Skylark’, the locomotive which for a matter of only a few years operated on the Skye Marble Railway. Further notes about the locomotive can be found in this article. An information board across the road from Kilchrist Church, features Skylark at the head of a train of wagons. [5]


Some sources say that in 1904, an aerial ropeway was constructed to transport marble to Broadford Pier from Kilchrist Quarries (alternatively known as Kilbride Quarries or Strath Suardal). The quarries were used to excavate marble. [1][2] Other sources talk of the line being worked first by horses. [14] There was an incline between the upper and lower Quarries at Kilchrist which appears to have been rope-worked. It is most likely, given the length of line from Kilchrist to the quay at Broadford and the relatively shallow gradients, that the line from the marble works down to Broadford was worked by horses, but it is entirely possible that an aerial ropeway was employed. Nothing remains of the line beyond the formation which now carries a footpath once South of Broadford, and, as will be seen below, some rails in the surface of the pier at Broadford.

The Railways of Skye & Adjacent Islands – Part 3 – The Skye Marble Railway

The featured image for this article is the only photograph I have been able to find of ‘Skylark’, the locomotive which for a matter of only a few years operated on the Skye Marble Railw…

rogerfarnworth.com

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Jun 2025 ==


Part 4 – The Raasay Iron Mine Railway

There is an excellent book by Laurence & Pamela Draper, which they self-published in 1990, entitled “The Raasay Iron Mine: Where Enemies Became Friends.” I picked up a copy second-hand from an online sales site. That book covers the operation on Raasay in some detail. This article looks at the railways involved.

The Railways of Skye & Adjacent Islands – Part 4 – The Raasay Iron Mine Railway

The article discusses the Raasay Iron Mine, established by William Baird and Company before World War I, and its associated railways. The mine utilized German Prisoners of War for labor amidst loca…

rogerfarnworth.com

L. & P. Draper tell us that “Just before the First World War the Scottish coal and iron-ore mining, and iron-smelting, firm of William Baird and Company opened up an iron-ore mine on the Island of Raasay in the Inner Hebrides. … In association with the mine, Baird’s built several kilometres of narrow-gauge railway, a crusher, five calcining kilns, a huge ore hopper and a reinforced concrete pier. Many aspects of the installation, such as this pier, diesel-electric power generation and the provision of powerful external electric lighting, were very advanced for their time.” [1: pV][3: p146]

The BBC tells us that “William Baird and Co. Ltd … owned the Raasay estate and initiated the mine’s operations. The mine was developed just before the war and was crucial in providing iron ore for the British war effort, with the ore being transported to Ravenscraig for smelting.” [2]