Teams, tales and tips – a guide to the local game
The smallest town to be represented in the Scottish Premiership – in fact, one of the smallest top-flight towns anywhere in Europe – Dingwall is home to Ross County. County town of Ross-shire, that also includes part of the Outer Hebrides, Dingwall is just slightly more north and more remote than its local football rival of Inverness.
The Staggies of Ross County and Caledonian Thistle from Inverness both gained Scottish League status in 1994 after decades in the Highland League. With a population of under 6,000 – fewer than the capacity of the Global Energy Stadium, in fact – Dingwall was perhaps a more controversial choice to ascend to the Scottish League than the big city of Inverness.
But after three decades, County’s average gates are slightly higher than those of their Inverness rivals. More than that, the Staggies not only reached the Scottish Cup final in 2010 but won the Scottish League Cup in 2016.
Founded in 1929, their longer tradition and slightly more northerly location make them the club of choice for fans from the crofting communities and small towns of the Highland hinterlands.
Hardened by years of traversing the single lanes of the local A roads to get to Highland League games, fans from Wick and Thurso on the extreme tip of mainland Scotland think nothing of the four-hour round trip to Dingwall.
For football travellers, a trip to Dingwall can be combined with a ride on the scenic Kyle of Localsh or Far North rail lines. Dingwall station is a short walk from the Global Energy Stadium, named after the locally based, multinational company run by County chairman Roy MacGregor, a former youth team player.
Still referred to on certain maps by its regular name of Victoria Park, it sits next to the Highland Football Academy, positive evidence of the healthy level of co-operation between Ross County and Inverness Caledonian Thistle for the good of the game in this remote region. A modern indoor and outdoor complex, with professional coaching, draws in young hopefuls from as far away as the Isle of Lewis.
Getting Around
Arriving in town, local transport and tips
The nearest airport is Inverness, 13km (eight miles) north-east of the city it serves, 35km (21 miles) south of Dingwall.
A train runs roughy every hour from the station just outside Inverness airport direct to Inverness, where you change for Dingwall (£10, overall journey time 1hr depending on connection). Like everything in Dingwall, the station is walkable to the town’s modest offering of pubs and hotels. The ground is close to the station, just the other side of the railway lines.
Local buses are run by Stagecoach. The Inverness Zone 2 DayRider (£8.70) is valid for Dingwall.
Inverness Taxis (01463 222 222) should charge around £20-£25 to Inverness, £50 all the way to Dingwall.
Dingwall-based C&E Taxis (01349 862 412) charges £45-£50 from the airport at Inverness and £35-£40 from its bus/train stations.
Where to Drink
The best pubs and bars for football fans
Given Dingwall’s size, its few hostelries are convenient for a pre-match drink an easy stroll from the stadium, though the Mallard (see Ross County) is more convenient than most.
With the closure of the County Tavern (hopefully all the Staggies memorabilia found a good home), the only real pub is a little further up the High Street at No.62. The Caledonian Bars is a traditional local with TV sport. Prominent patrons have included Liberal politicians in this fairly orange part of the UK. The late Charles Kennedy liked the place, apparently, and Ed Davey has posed here in pint-pulling mode.
The Caley comprises two bars – hence the name – and a beer garden with communal tables.
The only other real option is the bar at the National Hotel, The Stag, with its occasional live entertainment and ceilidh nights.
Where to stay
The best hotels for the ground and around town
Visit Scotland has an online booking service for the modest selection of lodgings in Dingwall.
Everything is an easy walk to the ground – but none easier than the landmark National Hotel, in business since 1859, with 42 guest rooms including suites and singles. Accommodating generations of passengers travelling on scenic Highland railway lines, the National houses The Stag, a restaurant and one of the few bars in town.
On Station Road, you’ll find a couple of B&Bs, most notably the excellent, friendly Garfield House (01349 867 514), featured on several booking sites and where a fine breakfast will set you up for the day – if not several days.
Other hotels in Dingwall are in dire need of renovation and/or responsible ownership.
