Altnabreac dispute reignites as couple post videos linked to train-stopping claims

The long-running dispute involving the Far North Line request stop at Altnabreac has taken a fresh twist after the couple at the centre of the row publicly claimed online that they halted multiple trains and began posting videos they say document what happened. The dispute has already drawn attention because it combines questions of station access and maintenance with civil litigation over land rights and a separate criminal case connected to an incident at a nearby crossing.

ScotRail suspended calls at Altnabreac in November 2023, citing difficulty securing safe access to carry out essential work. The couple have repeatedly denied wrongdoing and have disputed aspects of the railway’s position, while also pursuing arguments in civil proceedings about what rights, if any, they hold over land in the area of the crossing and adjoining infrastructure.

Altnabreac’s status as a request stop adds a layer of confusion for casual observers. Request stops allow passengers to signal a train to call, but that system is designed around safe boarding practice at the station itself, not around interactions at other parts of the railway. Crossings, even when they form part of a wider access route, are safety-critical locations where the accepted purpose is crossing the railway promptly and safely, rather than remaining close to the running line.

The videos now circulating online, posted by the couple themselves, purport to show an individual at or near the crossing attempting to attract the attention of approaching trains. If the footage is authentic and reflects the events alleged in court, it may become a point of scrutiny because it is being presented publicly by those who deny trespass and other allegations. Any evidential value, and any conclusions about what offences may or may not have been committed, would ultimately be a matter for the courts rather than social media commentary.

The wider question raised by the Altnabreac saga is how far private disputes over land rights can collide with a heavily regulated transport system built around safety and operational control. With civil arguments and criminal allegations running on separate tracks, the emergence of self-published footage risks intensifying public debate while also sharpening the stakes for the legal process still under way.

Image: ScotRail