Rail Connected Shipping Services

You could be forgiven for thinking that the Channel Tunnel meant the end of rail connecting shipping services, but this is not the case.  There are still lots of places to go with the 'boat train'.  In fact many services have invested and offer serious competition to both the tunnel and flying. 

This page details domestic Rail and Sail options.  To find out about International boat trains, click here. 

Orkney & Shetland

When travelling to Orkney you can either leave from Thurso or Aberdeen. 

Aberdeen has three Intercity services daily from the East Coast of England provided by GNER (Great North Eastern Railway) and regular services from throughout Scotland including Edinburgh, Perth, Dundee and Glasgow.  There is also a nightly sleeper service from London. Travelling via Aberdeen has two benefits for the rail passenger.  Firstly, the railway station at Aberdeen is situated next to Aberdeen harbour and the terminal for Northlink Ferries to Orkney and Shetland.  Secondly, the ferries from Aberdeen arrive into Kirkwall, the main town on Orkney.  When travelling via the Thurso route, a bus connection must be used to reach the ferry terminal at Scrabster Harbour.  Additionally the ferry arrives into Stromness in Orkney, which again requires a further bus connection if you intend to travel to Kirkwall.  However, travelling via Thurso does make sense if you are located in the Inverness area and north.  If travelling via Thurso check the timetable as certain bus conections leave from the Railway Station and others from the St Georges St Post Office in Thurso. 

The Ferries are operated by Northlink Ferries who use modern cruse ferries for the route.  You can find out more about the company by visiting  www.northlinkferries.co.uk

Current Schedule (Aberdeen Route - 2006) - check with Northlink Ferries, or First Scotrail to see that this is still current.  Times for the Thurso route are contained in the First Scotrail Far North Line Timetable. 

Departure / Arrival		Departure / Arrival
Aberdeen Harbour d	1700	Lerwick (Shetland) d	1730
Kirkwall (Orkney) a	2330	Kirkwall (Orkney) a	2300
Kirkwall d	2345	Kirkwall d	2345
Lerwick (Shetland) a	0730	Aberdeen Harbour a	0700

 

Inverness - Fort Augustus (Loch Ness)

After a gap of 65 years scheduled ferry service is back on Loch Ness.  Cruise the entire length of Loch Ness, through the stunning scenery of the Great Glen, past Urquhart Castle and on to Fort Augustus, while enjoying superb views from the comfort of Harris Tweed clad seats or the open-air deck on Loch Ness Express. Join the boat at either Inverness, Foyers or Fort Augustus to enjoy your cruise with us. Use our timetable and trail map to plan your walks and cycle routes. Sail from Inverness and hop off to walk or cycle in Foyers or Fort Augustus then hop on again in the afternoon and enjoy a welcome refreshment while you sail back to Inverness. Afternoon sailings to Urquhart Castle are also offered.

 

From Inverness - The nearest Rail Station is Inverness - 5 minutes walk from the Tourist Information Centre on Bridge St.  Free shuttle bus from Inverness city centre (Tourist Information Centre) at 09.00, 13.15, 15.40 and 19.45* (*May - August only)

From Fort Augustus - Near the swing bridge in the centre of the village. Look for the Loch Ness Express signs and vessel.

• Groups welcome. 10% discount for groups of 12 or more.

• Bespoke corporate programmes welcome.

• Vessel charter available.

• Bicycles carried free of charge

Bookings & Information

Telephone (free call rate): 0800 328 6426

Email : bookings@lochnessexpress.com

Visit www.lochnessexpress.com for fares and information.

 

Scottish Islands

First Scotrail in association with Caledonian MacBraine offers inclusive packages to the Western Isles including rail and sea fares.  A number of Scottish West Coast islands are assecable by rail.  For Island of Lewis, a Citylink bus service is provided between Inverness and the ferry terminal in Ullapool and this fare is included in inclusive tickets.

 

Tickets cannot presently be bought online. Tickets are available from First ScotRail Telesales on 08457 55 00 33 or from First ScotRail stations.

 

Destinations:

Dunoon £12.30 £10.10 Rothesay £13.35 £10.95 Brodick £15.70 £13.00 Craignure £26.90 £34.50 £22.90 Castlebay £52.60 £60.20 £48.60 Armadale £32.20 £48.00 £31.70 Stornoway