BEN ALDER rail crossing

29/07/2026

five years ago, on 28 July 2021, Network Rail closed the Ben Alder Level Crossing at to the public. The crossing is used by a recorded public right of way and routes 153 and 155, two important historic routes through the Central Highlands. The crossing’s closure causes great inconvenience to residents and visitors alike, as it requires users to make a detour of up to 1.5km.

While there appears to be no prospect of the crossing reopening in the near future, discussions are still ongoing. The situation at Dalwhinnie continues to illustrate how important level crossings are to the integrity of public access networks.

As a result of concerns raised, ScotWays and other partners including Network Rail have been active participants in the National Access Forum level crossings working group. This has resulted in the development of a Memorandum of Understanding which should ensure that, in future, public access at other level crossings is both safely managed and safeguarded.

For more information on ScotWays work on the safe management of public access and railways: https://scotways.com/dalwhinnie.



Photo: Richard Barron

13/05/2026

Hmmmm I think we need a village uprising to have our crossing included in the new agreement that will be including all similar crossings in scotland!

26/04/2026

Yesterday (Friday 24th April) they blocked the hill walkers carpark with rails and vehicles completely… they would have blocked the turning circle which is essential for residents and council services et, but for a residents intervention….
They have a yard they actually own opposite the signal box - why can’t they use that area!
Padlocked gates do not give Network Rail ownership of the hill walkers carpark or rights to block access for emergency services to two estates!!

See the photos in the comments section below…

Network Rail tells Strathy: “We’re improving access for disabled passengers”

22/04/2026

Unbelievable!
ScotRail will cut the service that is already lacking and yet Network Rail will abuse the residents of Dalwhinnie on a nightly basis with their overnight works until January 2027, however the letter to inform us arrived several days after the works started…. Not that we noticed a change in behaviour because they’ve been in the village since the start of the year every week so far and not always with notifications which they are meant to do!

ScotRail confirm 06.47 from Kingussie is to be scrapped

21/04/2026

Current use of the hill walkers carpark dominated each night by Network Rail doing their noisy overnight works keeping locals awake and/or waking them up!

18/04/2026

Multiple deliveries today… huge loaders reversing down our small street trashing pavements they damaged in February, which were repaired 24hrs ago and have again been driven over and crushed…
Ben AlderRoad is not appropriate for NETWORK RAIL abuse as it’s next to residential housing that is occupied 24/7!!!
The second vehicle waiting to deliver is on station road, parked on a pavement and blocking the entrance to The Apiary cafe!

08/04/2026

NETWORK RAIL UPDATE FOR DALWHINNIE
Anyone think this is another reason for the padlocked gates?
They act as if they own the road, carpark and street, and this is becoming unacceptable!
Every night until January next year!
They have used our drive to turn in the past with heavy vehicles and the road/pavements along Ben Alder Road, & Station Road, are in a shocking state!