Dave Thompson MSP

Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, met with David Fraser and Bert Nicholson from the Strathspey Railway Charitable Trust, along with Fergus Ewing, SNP MSP for Inverness and Nairn, to discuss the extension of the Strathspey Steam Railway to Grantown.

During the meeting, it was agreed that the next step ought to be securing an engineering solution to the short Gaich section of the plans.

Commenting on this, Dave said: “I was pleased we had such a positive meeting with the Strathspey Railway Charitable Trust, and I believe there is a real opportunity to progress this development.

“Extending the Steam Railway to Grantown would bring considerable economic benefits, as this is undoubtedly a huge tourist attraction.

Once an engineering solution is in place, it will be possible to progress the project and begin to apply for funding.

Commenting on the proposed extension, Mr Ewing said: “I have campaigned to support the Grantown extension of the Strathspey railway for several years as one of the main visitor attractions in the area.

I recently met leading officials from Transport Scotland, and I am working with David Fraser and his colleagues to advance the proposals to provide a solution to engineering challenges in the first instance.

I have also addressed their AGM last weekend at Boat of Garten.”