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