Scenic Railways in the Scottish
Highlands
|
The Inverness - Kyle Railway at
Plockton |
Introduction
The Highlands of Scotland offer
some of the most spectacular scenery in the UK.
From mountains to valleys and moors you can find it all
from the window of you carriage. The railways of
the Highlands retain a unique feel and atmosphere all of
their own. Take some time to discover these lines
and the communities that lie along their length.
For those with some more time on their hands,
connections by road and sea allow access to the some of
the most remote areas of the British Isles.
|
The Routes
Timetables
For up to date timetables online for all of the
above routes, visit the
First Scotrail web site.
Summary of the
Timetables
|
Route |
Journey Length |
Frequency (Mon - Sat) |
Times |
|
Inverness
- Kyle of Lochalsh |
2 hr 37
min |
3 trains
each direction daily 1 |
morning,
mid morning and early evening |
|
Inverness
- Thurso / Wick |
4 hr 12
min |
3 trains
each direction daily |
morning,
mid morning and early evening |
|
Inverness
- Perth |
2 hr 3
min |
10 trains
each direction daily 2 |
frequent
departures |
|
Glasgow -
Oban |
3hr |
4 trains
each direction daily |
morning,
mid day, afternoon and evening |
|
Glasgow -
Fort William |
3 hr 50
min |
4 trains
each direction daily |
morning,
mid day, afternoon and evening |
|
Fort
William - Mallaig |
1 hr 20
min |
4 trains
each direction daily |
morning,
mid morning, afternoon and early evening |
Notes
1 - 4 trains each direction in summer.
2 - Includes one long distance Intercity train, GNER Highland
Chieftain to London Kings Cross with local journeys between main
stations on the route. Also includes one overnight sleeper
service which stops at all stations to pick up or set down only
- no local journeys.
3 - Sundays - Fewer trains operate on Sundays.
Currently the following frequencies are observed on these lines:
- Far north & Kyle, 1 each direction / summer 2 each direction;
Highland Main Line - 6 each direction including sleeper; West
Highland - 1 each direction year round and 2 in summer.
General Information
Trains on these routes are equipped for medium distance
journeys. Trains on the routes provide catering facilities
unless otherwise indicated in the timetables (summer only to
Kyle of Lochalsh). This usually consists of a trolley
service of hot and cold drinks and snacks. Intercity
trains on the Highland Main Line have a full buffet car.
Trains on the Kyle and Far North Lines are formed of class 158
Express Units. Trains on the West Highland are class 156
Super Sprinter trains with the exception of the first and last
trains to / from Fort William which are formed of Mark 2 air
conditioned coaches attached to the Sleeper service. The
Highland Main Line has class 158 and class 170 Turbostar trains
except for the Sleeper and the Intercity from GNER which is a
High Speed Train. All trains on the Highland Main Line
have first class accommodations. All other routes only
have standard class accommodation for day time services.
Inverness - Dingwall - Garve - Strathcarron
- Kyle of Lochalsh
|
Connections: |
From
Strathcarron Station to Lochcarron and Torridon. At
Achnasheen Station you can take a conecting bus service to
Kinlochewe and during the summer to Gairloch. Details of
these conections are on the First Scotrail timetables.
From Kyle you can catch a Citylink coach to Skye
calling at all the main towns and ferry terminals on the
island. This connection appears in the railway
timetables, but travellers should note that the coach
leaves from the old ferry pier and NOT the railway
station.
|
The railway to Kyle was completed in 1897,
comparatively late for British lines. It's easy to see
why. Even today the railway passes through only small
villages
for its entire length. This is a true rural railway.
Your journey begins at Inverness, the 'capital of the
Highlands'. Once across the Ness River the line curves
along the banks of the Moray Firth and makes its way to Dingwall.
The town retains its importance as the market town of Ross Shire
and today is still a junction with trains either continuing
North to Wick and Thurso or west on the Kyle Line.
Dingwall is the place to get off if you wish to visit
Strathpeffer, the Victorian Spa Town. Due to difficulties
with landowners the railway bypassed Strathpeffer and to
this day the largest community along the route misses out on
direct service. Take a Stagecoach bus from the bus stop
near the station in Dingwall to go there.
|
Express Train at Kyle Station |
After leaving Dingwall the railway climbs uphill until Garve
is reached. The line is clearly in the Highlands and for
the duration of the journey you are met with lochs, heather
covered hills and small pockets of woodland. Many stations
the train passes through are so small you must tell the guard in
advance if you wish to get off, or wave to the driver if you
want to get on. Be sure to look out for wildlife on this journey. Deer
and birds of interest can almost always been seen from the
carriage window. |
It is often stated that the most spectacular part of the
journey is from Strathcarron onwards, however the section from
Garve to Strathcarron features some stunning and remote heather
covered valleys and hills. Garve itself is a small
village where the road braches off to Ullapool on the West
Coast. Ullapool is now the main ferry port for the Isle of
Lewis and a motor coach connection is available from trains
arriving to Inverness.
The station at Strathcarron is the alighting point for nearby
Lochcarron. There is a connecting bus service from the
1159 service from Kyle / 1052 service from Inverness to
Lochcarron and Torridon. This is also the crossing point
for trains and you can usually see the train from Kyle pass
here.
The train leaves Strathcarron to follow the shores of Loch
Carron. This is a sea Loch eventually ending up in the
Atlantic Ocean if you were to continue past Skye. This
next part of the journey is particularly scenic. You may
wish to break your journey at Plockton. This small palm
tree filled village is nestled beside the loch and you can view
the yachts tied up in the bay from the train.
The final stretch of the line overlooks the sea to Skye with
views of the Cullin hills before arrival in Kyle. The
station itself at Kyle is of interest being the original and
situated on the pier. To this date various vessels can be
seen tied up beside the trains in the station.
The Kyle line is truly one of the worlds great rail journeys.
The only decision to make is whether to take a day trip or spend
some time exploring the destinations you can reach from this
wonderful railway.
Inverness - Dingwall (for Kyle) - Tain - Lairg
- Thurso - Wick
|
Connections: |
Royal Mail Postbus from Lairg Station
to Durness, Tongue and Lochinver. At Thurso
Station a conecting bus takes passengers to the
NorthLink Ferries for Orkney. Details appear in
railway timetables. |
|
Dunrobin Castle |
Trains on this route start from Inverness and
follow the same route as the Kyle trains as far as Dingwall.
At Dingwall they branch north and you can see the line to Kyle
curve off to the west just beyond the station. This route
takes passengers along the shores of the Cromarty Firth.
Once known for its links to the Royal Navy, today you are more
likely to see oil rigs tied up right alongside the line at
Invergordon which is now an important centre for the oil
industry. |
This scenic line continues north towards Tain
before curving inland and into Sutherland. Here the
scenery changes from farmlands to more rugged landscape of hills
and rivers. Look out for Dunrobin Castle with its own
railway station. This is the only private station in
Britain and during the summer you can request the train to stop
here for a visit to the castle and gardens.
Towards the end of the journey the train
travels through the flow country of Caithness. This
expanse of peat bog is the only such habitat like this in the
country. The area is rich in wildlife and is stunning both
in all seasons.
Journeys end is either Thurso or Wick on the
north coast. From Thurso you can continue by Northlink
ferry to Orkney. If you are considering this option you
will need a few days to have enough time on Orkney and for
travelling. No matter where you choose to visit though you
will be assured of a unique experience.
In contrast to the other routes mentioned on this page, the
Highland main line is a high speed busy rail route linking the
north with the central belt of Scotland. Built by the
Highland Railway Company, this line today forms part of the
express rail network of First Scotrail and also hosts two daily
Intercity trains to London. Despite this the line is not
short of scenery and is probably one of the most rural of our
mainlines passing through no large towns on its entire length
from Inverness to Perth.
For most of the trip passengers enjoy the very best mountain
scenery Scotland has to offer and pass the highest points on the
UK rail network. Not surprisingly then in winter, it is
common to see snow on the hills and sometimes at rail level too.
Near the popular visitor town of Pitlochry the line passes
through a narrow gorge as road, rail and river meet. While
shortly afterwards Blair Athol with its castle is reached.
This is the only castle in Europe which retains its own private
army.
The line then continues to climb until Druimuachdar summit is
reached. The highest point on the UK rail network and the
heart of the mountains. Beyond this point you reach
Kingussie and Aviemore, both popular holiday resorts while
retaining their small Highland town feel.
The end point of this route is Inverness. This is the main
town in the Highland region and also the starting point of the
Kyle line and Far North Lines, also mentioned on this page.
Glasgow - Crianlarich - Oban
Glasgow - Crianlarich - Fort William - Mallaig
|
Connections: |
From Oban ferries leave for
Colonsay, Mull, Coll, Tiree, Barra and South Uist.
From Malliag ferries leave for Canna, Rum, Eigg,
Muck and Skye. All are operated by Caledonian
MacBrayne. Further details from rail timetables or
from www.calmac.co.uk
.
|
The West Highland Railway is unique for many reasons.
The Mallaig extension was the first railway in the UK to build
its bridges from concrete, earning the lines engineer the
nickname Concrete Bob. Today its the only part of the
national network with a regularly scheduled steam service every
day during the summer months. And all year round visitors
can enjoy the communities that make up the line and the
spectacular scenery to be found from the trains window.
Like the Far North lines these railways are not known for
their high speeds and dense traffic. Instead they are an
escape to a more rural and relaxed way of life. They link
the main towns but also some very small places along their
length and are a delight for a day trip or equally a fortnights
exploring.
Starting in Glasgow, travellers make their way to Queen
Street Station. For those from the south there is a
connecting bus from Glasgow Central Station and you get on it
free if you have a through ticket. Leaving from Glasgow
trains travel alongside the river Clyde and through the northern
suburbs of Glasgow but it is not long before the city is left
behind and the train skirts the banks of Loch Lomond.
The journey is then a mix of glens, lochs and moors.
Passengers enjoy the scenery drift by from their windows and all
along the way the train stops at small communities where local
people get on and off the train as part of their daily lives.
Crianlarich is the junction for Oban. Here many trains on
the line will split with one section going to Oban and the other
Fort William so make sure you are seated in the correct portion
of the train!
Trains for Oban head west and are soon met with the sights
and smells of the Ocean at Oban. Many passengers will
continue their journeys by ferry to their final destination as
Oban is the railhead for many of the West Coast Islands.
Other passengers continue north through Ranoch Moor. To
the railwayman it is known as 'the' moor. In the days of
steam this section of line, along with so many others, was not
only beautiful but also a challenge to engine crews.
Today's modern Super Sprinters make light work of the line but a
sense of the remoteness remains. The station at Ranoch
remains open and hosts a tearoom. Other than the station
there is nothing but natural wilderness at Ranoch and so not
surprisingly it is a very popular stop with hill walkers.
Fort William is the journeys end for many passengers, but
others will continue to Mallaig. The Mallaig extension is
still operated on its own with certain trains only serving the
extension while others contiune south. This is again a
highly scenic railway and many visitors travel from around the
world to sample this route. In the summer visitors have
the added option of taking a steam train along this route.
The steam service was introduced in the 1980's by the then
ScotRail section of British Rail. It remains to this day a
highly successful venture and the only section of mainline
railway that has a regularly scheduled steam passenger service
in the UK! Even though on a normal train the line can
still be enjoyed.
These lines are truly unique in the world and like the far
north lines, can offer much more than a day out. If you
are planning to spend some time in the area, consult your local
rail station about a Scotrail Travelpass as this can offer some
substantial savings.
