PICTURES: Kyle Station attraction set to reopen at Easter following major revamp
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Kyle Station Museum will reopen to the public at Easter after a major refurbishment.
Located on the platform at Kyle of Lochalsh Railway Station, the museum tells the intertwined stories of Kyle Harbour, west coast fishing and the Kyle Line – one of the world’s most scenic railway journeys.
A new exhibition gallery features fascinating historic photos, many of them by renowned Kyle photographer Duncan MacPherson (1882-1966). A video viewing ‘carriage’ has been created to show archive films associated with the railway, harbour and fishing.
Also on display are a specially commissioned sea life sculpture by metalwork artist Greg Dobson and scale models of traditional fishing craft.
A second exhibition gallery has been redisplayed to celebrate the rich history of the iconic Kyle Railway Line. When it opened in 1897 this was the world’s most expensive stretch of railway, requiring 31 rock cuttings and 29 bridges in a 10-mile section.
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A highlight in this gallery is a working model of Kyle of Lochalsh Station in the 1960s. Other exhibits include the station’s original two-sided railway clock; guards’ uniforms and memorabilia; old signals and other equipment; and tickets, pamphlets and posters.
The refurbished museum also includes activities for children and an archive room, as well as a gift shop and takeaway refreshments.
Tom Campbell, trustee of the charity that runs the museum, said: “It is exciting to see the hard work of our charity’s volunteers and partners come to fruition. We look forward to sharing our redeveloped displays, maritime exhibits, artworks and films with new audiences. We are also pleased to share again many much-loved exhibits including our working model trains and railway artefacts. The museum is conveniently situated at the ‘gateway to Skye’, so whether you’re travelling on the Kyle Line or heading for the Skye Bridge we look forward to welcoming you at the end of the platform.”
Lucy Casot, CEO of Museums Galleries Scotland, said: “We are pleased to have been able to support Kyle Station Museum’s refurbishment. The new displays and activities will help bring local history to life and broaden the range of opportunities for people to engage with the collections. Kyle Station Museum is an important heritage asset with fascinating stories to tell, and we look forward to seeing this new chapter in the museum’s history unfold.”
Alasdair Smart, tourism manager at ScotRail, said: “The Kyle Line is widely acknowledged as one of the world’s great train journeys. We are proud to be custodians of this spectacular stretch of railway which carries more than 100,000 passenger journeys a year. The refurbished museum will be a valuable addition to the visitor experience for all those who travel on this line or pass through Kyle of Lochalsh. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the museum and the Friends of the Kyle Line and their excellent work promoting the railway and its history.”
As well as running the museum, the Friends of the Kyle Line also manages holiday accommodation in the restored Signal Box. It is available to rent on Airbnb and all income supports the museum.
Kyle Station Museum will be open daily from April 8 to October. For times and more information
visit the website at kylestationmuseum.org or Facebook and Instagram @KyleStationMuseum.
Listings information
Kyle Station Museum: Discover the fascinating story of Kyle Harbour, West Coast fishing and the
Kyle Line Railway, one of the world’s most scenic railway journeys. Exhibitions, films, family
activities, shop and refreshments. Located at the end of the platform inside the historic station
buildings. Open daily from 8 April. Admission £3 Adults, £1.50 Child, £8 Family. For opening times
and more information visit www.kylestationmuseum.org.
