Altnabreac
Altnabreac
| |
|---|---|
  Altnabreac Altnabreac shown within the Caithness area | |
| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | HALKIRK |
| Postcode district | KW12 |
| Police | Scottish |
| Fire | Scottish |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament | |
| Scottish Parliament | |
Altnabreac (from Scottish Gaelic Allt nam Breac) is a tiny settlement within the former county of Caithness, in the north of Scotland, and now within the Highland council area. The settlement, notable for its remoteness, consists of Altnabreac railway station and the former Altnabreac School. The school was closed in 1986 and converted into a private residence. The former gamekeeper's house sits adjacent to the school and station. There is a natural spring about 200 yards from the school providing crystal clear drinking water. Lochdhu Lodge, approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 km) to the south, was built until 1895. During the 1980s peat banks were worked to provide fuel for the residents who regularly used to be cut off from the nearest town of Thurso during the winter. It can only be approached by train by special request to stop at the unmanned station, or along unsurfaced Forestry Commission roads from the nearest village, Westerdale, about 12 miles away.
Altnabreac, like Dounreay, was considered as a location for a final repository for the UK's nuclear waste. However, this idea was not pursued.
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