Strathpeffer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Strathpeffer
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 Strathpeffer
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| Population | 1,040 (2020) |
| OS grid reference | NH478576 |
| • Edinburgh | 125 miles (200 km) |
| • London | 600 miles (735 km) |
| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | STRATHPEFFER |
| Postcode district | IV14 |
| Dialling code | 01997 |
| Police | Northern |
| Fire | Highlands and Islands |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament |
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| Scottish Parliament |
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Strathpeffer (which means Srath Pheofhair in Scottish Gaelic) is a lovely village and spa town in the Highland area of Scotland. It's located in a part of Scotland called Ross and Cromarty. About 1,469 people live here.
Contents
Exploring Strathpeffer's Location
Strathpeffer is found in a strath, which is a wide valley. It's about 5 miles (8 kilometers) west of Dingwall. The village sits between 200 and 400 feet (61 to 122 meters) above sea level. Because hills protect it from the west and north, Strathpeffer often has drier and warmer weather than other places nearby.
A Look Back at Strathpeffer's History
Strathpeffer has been an important place for a long time. Because of its location, several battles happened here many years ago.
Ancient Battles in the Valley
- Blar Nan Ceann: This battle, whose name means "battle of the heads," took place at the western end of the village. We don't know exactly when it happened. In this fight, the MacKenzies of Seaforth defeated the MacDonells of Glengarry. There's even a well nearby called Tobar a' Chinn, or "well of the head," where something important happened during the battle.
- Battle of Blar Na Pairce: Around 1486, a battle called "battle of the park" happened here. The local MacKenzies, led by their chief Kenneth MacKenzie, won against a large group of MacDonalds. This battle took place southwest of the village, near Loch Kinellan. In the loch, there's an old island fort called a crannog. This crannog was once a hunting spot for the Earls of Ross. It's even said that Robert The Bruce, a famous Scottish king, visited it!
- Battle of Drumchatt: In 1497, another battle happened on a ridge southeast of Strathpeffer called Drumchatt, or "the Cat's Back." In this fight, the Clan Mackenzie and Clan Munro teamed up to defeat the Clan MacDonald of Lochalsh.
Strathpeffer as a Spa Town
In the 1700s, special water springs were found in Strathpeffer. These springs had a lot of sulfur, which people believed was good for their health. Because of this, Strathpeffer became a very popular Victorian spa resort.
The pump-room, where people could drink the spring water, was built in 1819. Soon after, a hospital and a hotel were also built for visitors. Sadly, the spa hospital was destroyed by fire in 1942.
The Strathpeffer Pavilion was built in 1880. It was a place for visitors to enjoy entertainment. For a while, it wasn't used much and fell into disrepair. But now, it has been beautifully restored! It's a busy place again, hosting concerts, weddings, and many other events.
The Railway's Impact
When railways arrived in nearby Dingwall in 1862, it became much easier for people to visit Strathpeffer. In 1885, a special branch line was built just for Strathpeffer, and the Strathpeffer railway station opened. This made the village even more popular.
The railway branch line closed in 1946. Today, the old station building is still there and looks just like a classic Victorian building. It now has many interesting shops and craft stores. It's also home to the Highland Museum of Childhood, which is a fun place to learn about how children lived in the past.
There's a project by the Strathpeffer Spa Railway Association to bring back some of the old railway track. They hope to buy an engine and run a short heritage train line for visitors to enjoy.
Things to Do in Strathpeffer
Strathpeffer's unique Victorian buildings make it a charming place to visit. You'll find many hotels, guest houses, and holiday cottages here.
Outdoor Activities
- Golf: The village has a beautiful golf course. It's famous for having the longest drop from the tee to the green of any course in Scotland!
- Mountain Biking: Strathpeffer is home to one of the world's toughest mountain bike races, called the Strathpuffer. This is a 24-hour event held every January. Over 400 riders take part, using the local bike trails.
Local Culture and Events
- Pipe Band and Highland Dancers: Every Saturday from late May to September, the Strathpeffer and District Pipe Band and local Highland dancers perform in the village square. It's a popular event for both visitors and people who live there.
- Castle Leod: Nearby is Castle Leod, which is the home of the Earl of Cromartie, who is the Chief of the Clan Mackenzie. The castle is open to the public a few times a year.
- Highland Gathering: The annual Strathpeffer Highland Gathering is one of Scotland's oldest Highland Games. It takes place in the grounds of Castle Leod every August, with traditional Scottish sports and music.
Music and Entertainment
The Strathpeffer Pavilion is a great place for music. It has hosted famous bands and singers like Deacon Blue, The Kaiser Chiefs, and Edwyn Collins. The Strathpeffer and District Pipe Band, formed in 1980, often plays in the village square, adding to the lively atmosphere.
Sports in Strathpeffer
Strathpeffer is home to the Caberfeidh Camanachd Club. This team plays shinty, a traditional Scottish sport similar to hockey. They play their home games at Castle Leod. The team currently plays in National Division One and also has a reserve team. Caberfeidh has won shinty's biggest competition, the Camanachd Cup, twice, in 1934 and 1939.
Well-Known People from Strathpeffer
- Charles Kennedy (1959–2015) was a Member of Parliament (MP) for the local area in the 1980s and early 1990s. An MP is a person elected to represent their area in the UK Parliament, helping to make laws for the country.
- Rev William Fraser (1851–1919) was a minister at the Strathpeffer Free Church from 1908 to 1919.
