The September 2023 issue of Far North Express had the news that HITRANS is taking on the lease of Primrose Cottage, the former car hire premises in Strothers Lane, next to Inverness Station, to avoid any tenancy vacation issues.

As outlined in my Highland Railway Buildings book this building, then known as Miranda Cottage, was probably the first of the relatively few houses owned by the HR for their employees in Inverness. Because of the availability of housing in the town, the Railway did not feel it normally necessary to build houses for the staff there, as it did in rural areas.

The major exception was the block of cottages built in Railway Terrace in 1889 for the breakdown gang so that they could be quickly called out for an emergency. These were close to the existing Miranda Cottage. In between was the Time Office for Lochgorm Works, which were reached by a footbridge.

Inverness street directories record that in 1899 Miranda Cottage was occupied by Alex Cameron, line inspector. He was still there in 1911, but by then had become the Highland Railway advertising agent. The building was now also recorded as 42 Railway Terrace. In 1930 the tenant was John Mackenzie, LMS inspector.

Miranda Cottage appears in the minutes of the HR Estates Committee, which looked in detail at possible expenditure on the railway's property. In January 1904 there is reference to solving the problem of damp in the cottage, while in December 1907 it was decided to install gas lighting.

It is to be hoped that this Highland Railway survivor will be retained and restored in the Inverness Station Masterplan.