Ian Appleby and Elizabeth Howe, the residents of the former Altnabreac railway station house in Caithness, were taken into custody today under a reported contempt-of-court warrant. A 100-second livestream posted on the couple’s YouTube channel appears to show the moment authorities arrived at their property and executed the arrest. The couple have been involved in a long-running dispute with Network Rail over access to the remote station, which has attracted national attention due to the unusual nature of the case and the station’s isolated location.

The arrest follows reports of a warrant being issued earlier this month related to allegations that Appleby and Howe breached court orders, including claims of secretly recording court proceedings. The couple deny all wrongdoing. Previous legal disputes have also included accusations that the pair obstructed railway operations, at times preventing trains from stopping at Altnabreac due to safety concerns. Despite these allegations, no convictions have yet been recorded against them in relation to the railway access dispute.

The livestream shows officers arriving at what is assumed to be their property, speaking briefly with the couple, and escorting them away. Authorities have not yet released a formal statement confirming the arrest, but the video’s appearance on a verified channel strongly indicates the action was carried out today.

This development marks the latest chapter in the couple’s ongoing legal saga, which has highlighted broader questions about property rights, rural access, and railway safety. Observers note that the case is unusual for its combination of remote-location disputes and highly publicised legal proceedings. Court dates for related charges are expected to continue, with further hearings to clarify the outcomes of the contempt-of-court allegations.

Image: ScotRail