The five BT Telephone Exchanges (and one former) in the Lairg (01549) telephone area
Altnaharra ATE
Altnaharra telephone exchange is situated beside the A836 in Altnaharra, Lairg IV27 4UE and also covers the surrounding area including Loch Naver and Crask Inn.
The first exchange here came into service as an RAX5 around 1931.
The principal telephone code for this exchange is 01549-411.
Its former dialling code was 054 981.
ID: NSALT. Photo courtesy of Nick Mutton.
Invershin ATE
Invershin telephone exchange is situated beside the A836 in Invershin, Lairg IV27 4ET and also covers the surrounding area including Culrain and Balblair.
It possibly came into service in the early 1970s, to replace the adjacent previous auto exchange.
The telephone code this exchange is 01549-421.
Its former dialling code was 054 982.
ID: NSIVS. Photo courtesy of Suzanna Bunting.
Invershin former ATE
The former Invershin telephone exchange is situated beside the A836 in Invershin, Lairg IV27 4ET.
It came into service around 1938 to replace a manual exchange that opened in the post office in 1932.
It is now used as an out-building by the neighbouring house.
ID: NSIVS. Photo courtesy of Suzanna Bunting.
Lairg ATE
Lairg telephone exchange is located in Church Hill Road, Lairg, IV27 4BL and also serves the surrounding area north to Loch Shin and south to Achinduich.
It came into service around 1971 to replace a manual board opened on 19 September 1928 when local landowner Edgar Horne made the inaugural call to the Duke of Sutherland at Dunrobin Castle.
The principal telephone code for this exchange is 01549-40.
Its former dialling code was 0549.
ID: NSLAI. Photo courtesy of Suzanna Bunting.
Merkland ATE
Merkland telephone exchange is situated beside the A838 at Corriekinloch, Lairg IV27 4NY and serves the area around Loch Merkland and the northern end of Loch Shin.
It came into service around the early 1970s, replacing an earlier auto exchange, possibly sited immediately to the south of the current one. The first Merkland exchange was opened around 1937.
The principal telephone code for this exchange is 01549-431.
Its former dialling code was 054 983.
ID: NSMER. Photo courtesy of Suzanna Bunting.
Rosehall ATE
Rosehall telephone exchange is situated beside the A837 at Invercassley, Lairg IV27 4BD and serves Rosehall, Invercassley and the surrounding area.
The first exchange here was a manual board which opened in 1936 in the post office, at first offering no service at night or on Sundays.
The principal telephone code for this exchange is 01549-441.
Its former dialling code was 054 984.
ID: NSRHL. Photo courtesy of Suzanna Bunting.