^{Photo by Donald Stirling} 

The railway comes to Dornoch

The coming of the railways to the Highlands at the end of the 19th Century opened south-east Sutherland to  visitors from the south. The 1896 Light Railways Act meant that it was possible to construct the line to less rigorous (and less costly) standards  and the Telford causeway across the Fleet estuary could be used for both the road and the railway. The Dornoch Light Railway opened in 1902 and linked the Burgh to the main line from Inverness to Thurso.

With the railway came investment in fine holiday homes and a grand Highland Hotel with its 65 bedroom and chandeliers. Dornoch as a holiday destination had arrived, the line brought a new vitality to the area.

The rise of car ownership in the 1950s meant that the little spur line became unprofitable and it closed in 1960 just before the infamous Beeching Cuts reconstructed Britain's rail network. 

Although the railway is no longer in use, the station and platform can still be seen and the line now provides a safe track for walkers to the former fishing village of Embo.