The extension took more than four years to complete due to the unforgiving nature of the terrain through which it was driven - 29 bridges had to be constructed and more than 30 cuttings excavated through solid rock, which led to it costing £20,000 per mile[7] (making it the most expensive rail route to be built in the UK at the time).

[8] Originally the station provided a connection to the ferry services for the Outer Hebrides.

However, as the ferry terminal at the Kyle of Lochalsh was 71 miles (114 km) from Stornoway, in 1970 Ross and Cromarty council voted to create a new £460,000 (equivalent to £8,987,500 in 2023)[9] ferry terminal at Ullapool which was only 43 miles (69 km) from Stornoway.

[10] The signal box closed in 1984, when Radio Electronic Token Block working was introduced on the line by British Rail - although no longer operational it is still intact and has been adapted for use as a holiday cottage.

There are four daily departures from the station to Dingwall and Inverness during the week, and either one (winter) or two (summer) services on Sundays.