scotland train journey

Train Holidays in Scotland - Getting Around by Rail

You’ll find some of the world’s most iconic railway journeys and train holidays in Scotland. Plus a Scottish railway journey is one of the best ways to take in the stunning landscapes.

From scenic train routes through the Scottish Highlands to short steam train rides, Scotland's train tours can offer unforgettable journeys with great service and amazing views.

The Belmond Royal Scotsman Starts from Edinburgh

The Glenfinnan viaduct on the West Highland Line

© VisitScotland / Airborne Lens

Perfect for: luxury travel, stunning scenery, first-class service, exquisite food and drink

If you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure on a luxury train in Scotland, then treat yourself to a trip aboard the truly glamorous Belmond Royal Scotsman. This ultra-exclusive train offers fine-dining and 5-star hospitality as guests are whisked away on luxury breaks around the country, stopping off along the way for unforgettable experiences and excursions.

West Highland Line Glasgow to Oban or Mallaig

A Scotrail 156 Sprinter crossing Loch Awe near Dalmally

© Scotrail / Tony Hardley

Time: 5h 15mins

Look out for: the Jacobite Steam Train* and its Harry Potter connections

The West Highland Line is described as one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world. It runs from Glasgow up north to Crianlarich. One route then goes west past Loch Awe to Oban or continues north through Rannoch Moor to Fort William and Mallaig. Or you can do both!

This route is known to millions for taking Harry Potter from Platform 9¾ all the way to Hogwarts. As the train heads west, it passes over the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct and offers breath-taking views of locations such as Loch Shiel, Loch Eilt and Ben Nevis, many of which can also be seen in the films.

* Please note that the Jacobite Steam Train is only running the morning service at this time. There is no Harry Potter coach and reduced First-Class capacity.

The Far North Line Inverness to Thurso or Wick

Inverness Castle and the River Ness

Time: 4h 30 mins

Look out for: varied coastline, pleasant farmland, traditional distilleries

The far north of Scotland is home to unspoiled landscapes perfect for a relaxing break, but it's still easy to get there by train. Trains run north from Inverness to Thurso and onto Wick in just four and a half hours.

The Kyle Line Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh

Time: 2h 30 mins

Look out for: the magnificent rocky shoreline, wild mountain vistas, red deer

Travel along the Kyle Line between Inverness and Kyle of Lochalsh for amazing views of mountains, forests and lochs. You’ll also pass by charming Highland villages, such as Achnasheen and Plockton.

The Borders Railway Edinburgh to Tweedbank

A couple admiring the Borders steam train from the platform at Tweedbank

© VisitScotland / David N Anderson

Look out for: rolling countryside, historical gems, engaging family attractions

The Borders Railway will take you through the engaging landscapes of Edinburgh, Midlothian and the Scottish Borders, giving you easy access to some rich history and thrilling outdoor activities.

The Forth Bridge Edinburgh to North Queensferry

The Forth Bridge seen from North Queensferry

© VisitScotland/ Kenny Lam

Time: 20 mins

The Forth Bridge is an iconic structure which connects Edinburgh with Fife across the Firth of Forth. It is a recognised UNESCO World Heritage site.

Enjoy amazing views of the Firth of Forth and the other bridges as you speed across on the train. You can take the train from Edinburgh and get off at either Dalmeny or North Queensferry to admire the bridge from below.

The Strathspey Steam Railway Aviemore to Boat of Garten and Broomhill

The Strathspey Railway is a traditional steam powered train, based in Aviemore

Time: 1h 45 mins

Perfect for: a fun family day out, vintage steam train trips, wild birds of prey

See the majestic Cairngorm mountains from the comfort of a plush carriage on a trip along the Strathspey Steam Railway. Tuck into afternoon tea or a three-course Sunday lunch on board the train or stop off at Boat of Garten to spot ospreys and other wildlife at the nearby RSPB reserve.

The Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway Bo-ness to Kinneil, Birkhill and Manuel Junction, Whitecross

The Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway

Time: 1h 10 mins

The route passes by the local nature reserve, estate and museum at Kinneil and the charming vintage railway station at Birkhill. Book a special trip with Thomas the Tank Engine for young kids, while all the family can climb aboard heritage locomotives at the Museum of Scottish Railways in Bo'ness after the trip.

• Pets Welcome
• Accessible Parking Or Drop-off Point
• Level Access
• Accessible toilets
• Cafe or Restaurant

The Royal Deeside Railway Milton of Crathes

The Royal Deeside Railway

Look out for: the award-winning Victorian station and railway carriage tearoom

Take a journey through the beautiful Royal Deeside countryside, as this heritage railway runs for a mile alongside the River Dee. Explore the Milton of Crathes complex for craft shops, a restaurant and art gallery.

Leadhills and Wanlockhead Railway Leadhills

Leadhills And Wanlockhead Railway

Time: 30 mins

This railway runs between Scotland’s highest villages, Leadhills and Wanlockhead in Dumfries & Galloway. This round trip takes you through the mining area. You can request to get off at Glengonnar Halt and walk into the village of Wanlockhead to visit the Museum of Lead Mining.

Keith and Dufftown Railway Dufftown to Drummuir, Towiemore, Keith Town

Keith Town Station

Time: 40 mins

This heritage railway runs for 11 miles through dense pine forests, the valley around the River Isla and rolling fields. Try and spot the local wildlife from the window including red squirrels, deer, buzzards and other birds of prey.

• On Public Transport Route

The Aberdonian Edinburgh to Forth Bridge, Perth, Dundee, Aberdeen

The Aberdonian Steam Train

Time: All day

This train runs along the coast of Fife before heading up to Perth and along the coast again to Dundee, through Angus and up north to Aberdeen. There are bookable off-train excursions to a castle or whisky tasting. You can enjoy fine Scottish produce on-board served by a friendly team.

Museum of Scottish Railways Bo'ness, near Falkirk

Museum of Scottish Railways

© @museum_of_scottish_railways

Not a train tour, but a chance to find out more. 

Railway locomotives, carriages and wagons – there’s plenty to keep all explorers entertained at the fascinating Museum of Scottish Railways at Bo’ness, near Falkirk.

General tickets and travel information

There are a variety of tickets available for national railway routes through Scotrail.

Buy train tickets

Look out for the Spirit of Scotland Travelpass, which gives you:

• 4-days unlimited travel over 8 consecutive days for £149
• 8-days unlimited travel over 15 consecutive days for £189

Buy the Spirit of Scotland Travelpass

Check out our Railway FAQs page for more information on train travel in Scotland.

Find out more on Scotland's railways

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5 Scenic Trains for Exploring Scotland's Dramatic Highlands, Sparkling Lochs, and Coastal Towns

By Marisel Salazar

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The best train rides in Scotland will have you witnessing the drama of the Scottish Highlands, exploring charming castles, and chasing some of the world's best whisky. You’ll be treated to sweeping vistas of some of the most beautiful landscapes in the United Kingdom. Imagine chugging past glittering lochs, breathtaking glens, and vast moors, all while enjoying a meal in a stately dining car or relaxing in a plush cabin. 

Around the world, train journeys are experiencing a great revival , with travelers realizing they’re a scenic, eco-friendly, and affordable mode of transportation. In Scotland, riders can also snag a  discounted rail pass from  ScotRail , which can save a third off the price of an already inexpensive journey. 

And if you would rather have your train tour planned for you, there are a growing number of companies that will book and curate a rail-based adventure in Scotland for you or a group, like  Vacations by Rail .

The most difficult part of your Scottish train travels will be selecting which of these spectacular lines you want to take. Here are five of the best train rides in Scotland—plus, where to stay and what to do along the way.

The West Highland Line takes passengers from Glasgow to either Oban or Mallaig, both picturesque coastal towns in Scotland.

The West Highland Line

Arguably one of the most visually stunning  parts of Scotland , the Highlands are filled with dramatic peaks and valleys, craggy hilltops, and glassy lochs. The West Highland Line starts in Glasgow and runs more than 180 miles to either Oban or Mallaig, two tiny picturesque fishing ports that are resort towns in their own right, as well as departure points for travel onward to the surrounding Scottish Isles. 

Along the way, you’ll cruise by charming towns and villages until the line splits at Crianlarich: One branch of the route heads by Loch Awe to Oban, the other towards the coastline through Highland forest and onto Fort William to the train route's final stop: the petite bustling port town of Mallaig.

Many travelers consider the Fort William to Mallaig portion as the nicest section of The West Highland route. The hills of Fort William, a town in Lochaber, set the scene for many iconic films and shows like Starz’s  Outlander . On this leg of the route, travelers can spot the ruins of Old Inverlochy Castle on the right just before crossing the River Lochy, the Glenfinnan Viaduct as seen in the ‘Harry Potter’ movies. Halfway between Tyndrum and Bridge of Orchy stops, there is another famous looped viaduct known as the Horseshoe Curve. On the northbound routes, sit on the left-hand side of the train for the best views and on the right side on southbound trains.

For a taste of Highland hospitality, spend a night or two at the charming  Ballachulish Hotel in Glencoe along the way from Glasgow to Fort William. Pop into the Ben Nevis Distillery for a quick whisky tasting and tour. (Fort William station is only 10 minutes walk from the bottom of the tourist track up Ben Nevis, Scotland's highest peak).

Tickets for the West Highland Line start around $30.87 (£25.40) from Glasgow to Mallaig on  ScotRail for a single fare in a standard cabin but vary depending on how far they are booked in advance and length of the trip.  

The Kyle Line runs through mountain ranges and past tranquil lochs

Kyle Line from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh

The most distinctive mountain ranges in Scotland, the Torridon Peaks, loom north along the Kyle Line to Kyle of Lochalsh. Depart from Inverness to take on even more breathtaking scenery of the Highlands. Passengers glide past sleepy coastal villages and hulking mountains towering over tranquil lochs. The Kyle line draws a wide curve from Inverness along the coast south to the shores of Loch Alsh, with views of the Isle of Skye at the line's end. 

Harrison Pierce

María Casbas

CNT Editors

On the less than three-hour journey to Kyle of Lochalsh from Inverness, keep an eye out for the snow-capped Ben Nevis mountain, the country's tallest mountain that sits 4,411 feet above sea level, between Muir of Ord and Dingwall stops. Then glimpse the rolling Torridon Hills to the west before the Achnashellach Forest stop. Ride the line along Loch Carron to the Plockton stop, a charming town dotted with palm trees that was used for BBC series  Hamish Macbeth and  The Wicker Man .

At the end of the line at Kyle of Lochalsh, catch a quick cab ride to tour the spectacular 13th-century Eilean Donnan castle, one of Scotland’s most widely recognizable castles that sits on a small island where three sea lochs converge. 

If returning to Inverness, travelers can stay at the 19th century  Ness Walk , a five-star property on the banks of the River Ness or  Kingsmills Hotel , a four-star luxury spa hotel that mixes contemporary design with historic period features. Make sure to grab a wee dram at  The Malt Room , Inverness’ first whisky bar, followed by  Hootananny , a ceilidh cafe for live traditional Scottish folk music (even Mumford and Sons have played here). 

Kyle Line fares start around $18.48 (£15.20) from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh on  ScotRail for a single fare in a standard cabin but vary depending on how far they are booked in advance and length of the trip. 

The Royal Scotsman is a luxurious journey that begins in Edinburgh and takes passengers up into the Scottish Highlands.

The Royal Scotsman, a Belmond Train

The only true luxury train on the list, the Royal Scotsman is a sleek nine coaches, clad in Burgundy and operated by Belmond. First launched in 1985, the all-inclusive train offers exquisite accommodations reminiscent of an Edwardian country house and fine-dining cuisine. Each of the train cars are refurbished 1960s Pullman coaches. 

Tours start at the Edinburgh Waverley station, where ticket holders follow a bagpiper dressed in traditional Scottish garb from the first class lounge to the platform. Once on board, passengers can settle into plush armchairs in the observation car lounge—complete with coffee tables and a bar that serves a wide assortment of Scottish whisky —while enjoying the gorgeous scenery of the Highlands. 

Meals are cooked on board and served in mahogany-walled dining cars that feature Scottish produce, meats, and seasonal fish alongside wines, liqueurs, and malt whiskies. Private wood-paneled cabins feature beds fitted with soft Scottish wools and tartans and also include an en suite shower, toilet, desk, table, wardrobe, toiletries, bathrobes, and slippers. The train also includes two spa cabins.

Itineraries range from two to seven days long and include sightseeing stopovers and overnight hotel stays. New routes are scheduled to start from April 2023 onwards, but bookings are selling out fast. Tickets start at $4,789 (£4,000) for single occupancy on Belmond’s  site or through  Vacations by Rail.  

The Far North Line connects Inverness with the northern reaches of the Highlands

The Far North Line

Take a four-hour journey on Britain’s most rural railway through hundreds of miles of peatland bogs, tiny hamlets, golf courses, quaint train stops, and salmon rivers. The single track Far North Line connects Inverness with destinations Thurso and Wick at the northern limits of the Highlands. It’s remote, rugged, and spectacularly wild.

The route is the same as the Kyle of Lochalsh line up until Dingwall, where the lines split. Passengers shimmy up the coast until the Tain stop, where the line then plunges into the lands of Sutherland and Caithness, across peat bogs and Flow Country, whilst crossing salmon fishing rivers. Flow Country is a vast wetland blanket bog and peat habitat, an important environmental landscape for preventing climate change and a proposed UNESCO  World Heritage site . 

Passengers can spot a few castles from the train route after departing Inverness: Just after the Tain stop is the glorious and exclusive Skibo Castle (formerly frequented by Andrew Carnegie) across the sea inlet Dornoch Firth, followed by the hilltop (and supposedly haunted) Carbisdale Castle after the Culrain stop. Then cruise past the thick and mysterious Balblair Wood, midway between the Rogart and Golspie stops on the shores of Loch Fleet. And if you fancy one more castle, the train will take you to the Dunrobin Castle station, where you can stop off and show your train ticket for discounted entry to the gigantic “home” (with more than 189 rooms, this castle is one of Britain's oldest continuously inhabited houses).

For a stay along the way, the  Glenmorangie House off the Tain stop is a boutique hotel set amongst breathtaking Highland scenery, near the  Glenmorangie Distillery . The award-winning  Mackays Hotel in Wick is just a three-minute walk from Wick stop, run by the same family for over 60 years. It’s welcoming, warm, and cozy.

Tickets for the Far North Line start around $14 (£17.02) from Inverness to Thurso and Wick on  ScotRail for a single fare in a standard cabin but vary depending on how far they are booked in advance and length of the trip. 

The Borders Railway Line whisks passengers from Edinburgh to Tweedbank

The Borders Railway

Explore the “land of Sir Walter Scott” on The Borders Railway line, through former mining towns, wide open farmland, and lush valleys.

Departing from Edinburgh , take in the breathtaking landscapes of the rocky slopes and cliffs of Salisbury Crags in Holyrood Park. You can’t miss Arthur’s Seat, a massive, grass-covered hill that is the remains of an ancient extinct volcano jutting out from the crags. Then pass through the Midlothian. Time it right and you can catch beautiful sunsets between the Gorebridge and Stow stops. Then onto the hills, lochs, farmlands, and cairns (manmade stone piles) of the Scottish Borders to Tweedbank. Tweedbank is also the stop of Abbotsford House, the home of Sir Walter Scott, and the historic market town of Melrose that includes the famous abbey ruins—a quick taxi or bus ride from the station. 

Despite being the longest new domestic railway to be built in over 100 years, the line only takes an hour from Edinburgh to Tweedbank.

Start or end your journey in Edinburgh with a stay at the incredible new  Virgin Hotel Edinburgh , on colorful and curved Victoria Street in the Old Town, one of the most photographed locations in the city. If looking for something along the Borders Railway line, try the  Schloss Roxburghe at Kelso, off the Galashiels stop, the penultimate station on the route. This elegant hotel is part of a historic estate in the Scottish Borders, with a championship golf course, spas, heated swimming pool, and restaurant that offers “Scottish bistronomy.”

Fares for the Borders Railway start around $14.46 (£11.90) from Edinburgh to Tweedbank on  ScotRail for a single fare in a standard cabin but vary depending on how far they are booked in advance and length of the trip.

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Scotland’s Most Scenic Train Journeys

Scotland's most scenic train journies, the belmond royal scotsman.

The West Highland Line

Photograph by @connormollison

Perth to Inverness

Blair Castle By Brett Currie

The Far North Line

Photograph by @gisforgeorgina

The Strathspey Steam Railway

Photograph by @danklaiber

The Royal Deeside Railway

The Borders Railway

From Edinburgh to Tweedbank, this railway journey presents a true snapshot of Scottish highland beauty. Including stops at Gorebridge and Newtongrange, which is not only the largest Scottish mining town but is also home to the National Mining Museum. The journey then moves into the hills of the Scottish Borders, famously home to Sir Walter Scott, a man credited with ‘creating’ modern Scotland. You can even stop off to visit Abbotsford House, the country estate where he lived. The journey will take you through some beautiful Borders villages and you can stop off to hike along the beautiful Borders Loop for some fresh Highland air.

The Kyle Line

Photograph by Ali Horne

The Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway

Travelling from Bo’ness to Manuel, this heritage railway line is home to Scotland’s largest railway museum. The train travels along the beautiful coastline, allowing you an in-depth look at the beautiful towns and villages that make up this area of Scotland. You’ll especially want to look out for the vast swathes of woodland, as well as the fields of wild garlic. Travel via a vintage steam or diesel train and treat yourself to an afternoon tea, luncheon or a full three-course dinner while the countryside provides the most sumptuous of settings.

The Forth Rail Bridge

Photograph by John Murray

Stranraer Line

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6 scenic train journeys in Scotland: see the stunning pictures

By Steve King

Travelling through Scotland by train is nothing short of a privilege. These are the very best journeys to take, all experienced first-hand by our man in Glasgow – including insider tips.

THE BELMOND ROYAL SCOTSMAN

Something of a marvel, this. A wonder. The outfit that runs it, Belmond , used to be called Orient-Express. You have probably heard the name. As well as the familiar Venice Simplon affair, Belmond operates lots of other similarly glamorous rail routes, together with some of the world’s top hotels , including the Cadogan in London , the Cipriani in Venice and the Copacabana Palace in Rio de Janeiro . The lusciousness quotient of these places is replicated aboard the Royal Scotsman; the main difference between those bricks-and-mortar hotels and this hotel on wheels is a difference of scale. Belmond offers half a dozen or so different itineraries across Scotland , varying in route and duration. All involve excursions off the train to visit castles, whisky distilleries , seal colonies and whatnot. But for the present writer the loveliest moments were often the least complicated ones, sitting at the back of the Observation Car, gazing at the slowly unspooling Highland landscape.

LOOK OUT FOR:

The cows at Ballindalloch Castle. Ballindalloch is one of the many castles you are likely to get a chance to poke around during the trip. It is home not only to the Macpherson-Grant family but also to the oldest herd of Aberdeen Angus cows in the world. The current owners, Clare and Oliver, are charming. ‘Oliver had never set foot in Scotland before he met me,’ Clare said. ‘When he got me, he got the castle and the cows too.’ ‘Admission to the castle is free,’ came Oliver’s reply. ‘But the bull may charge later! Haw haw haw!’

INSIDER TIP:

Don’t forget to pack your penguin suit or ball gown, as appropriate. People really do wear these things. The fun of dancing a reel in your glad rags, late at night on an empty station platform somewhere in the Highlands, with a group of similarly gussied-up fellow travellers, is not to be underestimated.

THE WEST HIGHLAND LINE

Winding north out of Glasgow , skirting the western shores of Loch Lomond, meandering across the lonely wilds of Rannoch Moor, past the looming hulk of Ben Nevis, to Fort William, before striking out at last to the remote coastal village of Mallaig, ferry terminal for the Isles of Skye , Muck, Rum and Eigg. Every now and then someone or other declares this The Best Train Journey in the World . Certainly it provides a marvellous introduction to the severe loveliness of the western Highlands. I am particularly fond of the approach to Glencoe, which, in addition to its great beauty, has about it a peculiar melancholy, an air of inconsolable sorrow, that is almost spooky. You would feel and be moved by this, I think, even if you were a first-time visitor from some distant corner of the globe – a sunkissed, carefree atoll in the South Pacific, perhaps – and cheerfully ignorant of Glencoe’s murderous past.

Harry, Ron and Hermione.

Since its appearance in the first of the Harry Potter movies , the Glenfinnan Viaduct has become a powerful muggle magnet. In the summer months you can book a special ticket to complete the last leg of the journey – from Fort William to Mallaig, which includes the picturesque viaduct – by steam train, for the full Hogwarts Express experience.

PERTH TO INVERNESS

A counterpart to the West Highland Line, though on the whole less dramatic, better behaved and more subdued. With one notable exception: the relatively short but quite magnificent section of the journey near the Drumochter Pass, before you get to Dalwhinnie, on the south-western edge of the Cairngorms. In winter the dark rocky hillsides dolloped with bright snow seem otherworldly in their black-and-white starkness. It is like swimming with orcas in outer space.

Blair Castle, seat of the Clan Murray and Dukes of Atholl since the 13th century, is clearly visible as you arrive at Blair Atholl station (on the right-hand side of the train if you are travelling north, the left-hand side if you are travelling south). Can a castle be perky? This one always strikes me as having a perky look about it. Good feng shui or something.

If you travel in first class, you can stuff your face with as much shortbread as you want at no extra charge. Shortbread always tastes better on the train.

CNT Editors

CNT Editors , CN Traveller

THE FAR NORTH LINE

From Inverness up to Thurso then across to Wick. You are going it some by the time you get up here – Thurso is the most northerly railway station in the British Isles and an oatcake’s throw from John O’Groats. There are a few seasonal or request-only stops along the way, a reminder of statelier times when people who had their own castles also had their own train stations. You might care to stop at Dunrobin Castle, for example, one of the oldest continuously inhabited houses in Britain , home to the Earls and Dukes of Sutherland for nearly 750 years. It underwent a spectacular Loire Valley-château-inspired makeover in the 19th century – a prosperous period for the Sutherlands, following their controversial role in the Highland Clearances. Statelier times, then, but not necessarily gentler ones.

If you do alight at Dunrobin Castle, note the length of the platform. Impressive, don’t you think? A 1903 article in Railway Magazine explains: ‘As a rule the platforms of private stations are very small, but this one at Dunrobin is an exception. It is very long, for often the family at the Castle will entertain three or four hundred guests at a time, when important fêtes or events are taking place there.’

Not a tip as such, and really only a guess, but it occurs to me that this route may very well pass more castles and whisky distilleries than any other comparable railway line in Scotland. Even if that is not statistically correct, it would still make for a jolly trip if you were to celebrate both of those legendary Scottish phenomena by knocking back a dram every time you saw a castle.

THE STRATHSPEY STEAM RAILWAY

I imagine this must be a glimpse of heaven for vintage-train obsessives. And it is not without a certain kind of Wallace and Gromit charm for the rest of us. Not without a pleasant dining car, either, come to that. The train is composed of lovingly done-up carriages drawn by a proper old-fashioned locomotive, which puffs and whistles its way from Aviemore to Boat of Garten and Broomhill and, er, back again. Just the three stops, not very far apart from one another, but all extremely shortbread-tin-worthy.

Ospreys. There are thought to be about 250 breeding pairs of ospreys left in Britain. The RSPB Osprey Centre is at nearby Loch Garten and your chances of spotting one of these majestic birds are better here than just about anywhere else.

If you’ve got the time and you’re good at coordinating train timetables, you could treat the Strathspey route as a little east-west interlude on a longer north-south trip. Let’s say you were heading from Glasgow or Edinburgh up to Inverness. You could break your journey at Aviemore and hop onto the Strathspey steam train – out to Broomhill and back, clickety-clack – then resume your journey from Aviemore.

THE WEST COAST MAIN LINE, JUST NORTH OF CARLISLE

A sentimental choice. The area on either side of the border between Scotland and England was always my favourite section of the trip in the years when I was travelling more or less weekly between Glasgow and London on the West Coast Main Line. It did not matter which way the train was going – I was equally happy to cross over from Scotland into England or from England into Scotland. Historically this was reiver or bandit country. Elopement country, too, for English couples eager to get hitched in haste under Scotland’s more relaxed marriage laws (no parental consent or advance notice required). Gretna Green, a few miles north of Carlisle, became the destination of choice for ‘runaway marriages’ in the 18th century following the construction of a toll road that made it the easiest Scottish village to get to from England. Speaking of aisles, I recall an occasion when, late one night, a power failure caused the Glasgow-bound train I was on to come to a standstill near Gretna Green and the interior lights to die. A well-refreshed party in my carriage swiftly devised a competition to keep spirits high in the face of this inconvenient disruption to our journey. A golf club was repurposed as a hobby-horse and liquored-up jockeys undertook individual time trials along the length of the aisle, galloping from one end to the other as if it were the Straight Mile at Redcar. These thunderous feats of athleticism, rather romantically illuminated by mobile-phonelight, were met with frantic cries of encouragement and hysterical hoots of mirth.

Loved-up English youths heading north at speed from Carlisle towards Gretna Green with panicked parents in hot pursuit.

The views from both sides of the train are good during the daylight hours. (At night all you can see if you peer into the darkness is your own reflection in the window.) Choose your seat depending on the time of departure. If you are heading south in the morning, the sun will be in your eyes if you sit on the left of the train – better to sit on the right. There are only so many morning/afternoon, north/south, left/right combinations to worry about, but since the whole trip takes four and a half hours it is worth pausing to consider your options, especially if the weather is set fair.

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This Epic Train Journey Through Scotland Is the Best Way to Experience the Country's Stunning Landscapes, Rich History, and Tasty Whisky

The best way to experience Scotland may be by rail.

There’s something I love about train travel : Even while sitting still, you don’t miss a moment. And when it comes to Scotland , the best way to experience the country is by rail. Picture undisrupted rolling hills, rivers, and highland cows for your viewing pleasure as you dunk your customary shortbread into a cup of tea. This trip is about the journey, not just the destination.

I traveled with Vacations By Rail , a rail travel and tour operator that offers memorable adventures through Scotland, whether you're traveling as a group or solo.

Holly-Marie Cato

I began my tour of Scotland in Edinburgh. From London, you can catch the train from King's Cross St. Pancras, bringing you right into the heart of Edinburgh in under five hours. I checked into the spacious Apex Waterloo Place Hotel , complete with beautiful views of the city that enticed me to go out and explore.

The sound of bagpipes followed me around the city center, with men dressed in traditional Scottish kilts. It didn't matter what plans I had made in advance, I couldn’t help but stop and enjoy the music.

Having hiked Arthur’s Seat on my first visit, I chose the family-friendly walk up Calton Hill, which offers a great view of the city and the chance to explore one of Edinburgh’s UNESCO World Heritage sites. There, you'll find the Nelson Monument — built in 1816 and with 147 steps to the top, you can experience an epic panorama looking out over Edinburgh. You'll also see National Monument, a semi-complete Greek Parthenon-like structure that even in it’s undress is altogether beautiful.

I also went on a walking tour of the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle with Mercat Tours , learning about the medieval alleyways, why the town crier still reads important news three days after an event, and how the Stone of Destiny — used to inaugurate Scottish kings — was stolen by university students.

My favorite meal in Edinburgh was at Luckenbooths . I I tried the haggis and beef shin bon bons, Cullen skink, a traditional Scottish smoked haddock and cream soup, and whisky-glazed smoke salmon. (Don't worry, I was sharing.) Even better, I learned all the food is locally sourced.

A stone's throw from the Apex Waterloo is the Waverley train station, where I caught the train to Fort William, via Glasgow, organized by Vacations By Rail.

A short drive later, I checked into Ballachulish Hotel in Glen Coe and was greeted by complimentary chocolates and the hotel's small-batch production of gin.

The best thing about Glen Coe is the landscape. I woke up early to savor the crisp autumn air. It's worth hiring a local tour guide to show you the lay of the land. Most locals have a deep and prevalent knowledge of their history, as well as where Harry Potter scenes were filmed (we went to the location of Dumbledore's house).

A 30-minute drive from Ballachulish Hotel is Ben Nevis Distillery, a must-visit during any visit. This award-winning small-batch distillery has created some of the smoothest whisky from the waters of the Ben Nevis mountain. My favorite was the 10-year-old, peat-smoked single malt, though I also liked their sherry casked Scotch — all descriptors and flavors I learned during a whisky-tasting tour.

If you're looking for an adventure, take the train down to Mallaig, a small, sleepy port with the best local fish and chips and a pleasant hiking trail. It's worth stopping here for lunch before catching a ferry over to the Isle of Skye . (I'm making it my mission to visit the island on my next Scottish venture.)

The Isle of Skye is clearly visible from the Mallaig train station. I boarded the West Highland line to Fort William, and then headed back to Glen Coe for one more night.

I traveled in style on the West Coast Railways steam train, resting against classic upholstered seats in first class and enjoying an onboard service of afternoon tea with scones, jam, and clotted cream while taking in the spectacular Highland landscape. For Harry Potter fans, listen for when the train conductor announces the Glenfinnan Viaduct is approaching, as it's seen in the Hogwarts Express.

I joined the famous Jacobite cruise and voyaged along the legendary waters of Loch Ness. The boat’s audio guide shared details about the mythical legend of the monster in the loch, as well as offered a deep dive into the Jacobite uprising and Bonnie Prince Charlie, who escaped the English army searching for him and traveled to the Isle of Skye, all with the help of a woman named Flora MacDonald in the 1700s.

From the Loch Ness to Eilean Donan Castle, there are plenty of beautiful historic sites to experience in the Highlands. Situated on a small tidal island, in the Western Highlands of Scotland and only accessible by a footbridge, Eilean Donan Castle stands proudly against the rugged landscape. 

Roaming the castle walls, you can learn how this fortified stronghold of the Clan Mackenzie was blown up by the English government in 1719 during the Jacobite rebellion. It was left in ruins for 200 years, until it was painstakingly restored in the early 1900s by their allies Clan MacRae and friends.

You'd be hard-pressed to make it to the Highlands without learning about the Jacobite uprising. Scottish history is seared into the minds of every countryman.

I ended my Scotland trip in Inverness. Even toward the final leg of the journey, I struggled to sleep in late while traveling, so I took the opportunity to walk through the city's quaint streets in the early morning. I stopped at Cup & Cone with a friend to enjoy one of the best oat cappuccinos and pastries.

As someone who doesn’t drive, I thought Scotland would be largely inaccessible to me, especially the Highlands, which is why traveling with Vacations By Rail has been so transformative. Suddenly, nothing about visiting Scotland feels daunting. I’ve sailed breezy costal waters, sipped drams of whisky in local distilleries, indulged in haggis and neeps and tatties, danced to bagpipes, bundled up in Highland wool, and strolled around a castle. The best part? Knowing I'll be back to Scotland soon.

How to Tour Scotland by Train

Scotland has several train lines that are perfect for exploring the country, including the Kyle Line, the Far North Line, the West Highland Line, the Carlisle Line, the Stranraer Line, and the Borders Railway. Discover everything you need to know about how to tour Scotland by train in this ultimate guide, which includes information about the main train lines and an itinerary for an 8-day train tour of Scotland.

The Best Train Journeys in Scotland

Scotland doesn’t waste an inch of its landscapes when it comes to impressing visitors. From the dramatic coastal railway that runs between Stranraer and Glasgow to the stunning scenery of the West Highland Line, you’re never far from amazing experiences when you hop on board a train.

The sights you’ll see vary in each part of the country so you might consider combining a few routes into one holiday, or if you’re pushed for time maybe just choose your favourite line and base yourself somewhere along it.

A top tip here would be Edinburgh,, where you’ve got city attractions on your doorstep and the Highlands just a couple of hours train ride away if you fancy a day in the mountains, with the Scottish Borders less than an hour away in the opposite direction. Alternatively, you could head over to the west coast and explore Glasgow before setting off south on the Carlisle and Stranraer lines, both of which offer vastly different scenery from the standard tourist hotspots in the Highlands.

Whatever you choose, whether it’s a visit to Loch Ness to see the monster , a tour of Scotland’s whisky distilleries or an excursion into the rugged scenery of the west coast, getting there by train makes it just that wee bit more pleasurable.

The following list of scenic railway journeys in Scotland will give you an overview of each line along with recommended places to stop and visit.

Map of Train Lines in Scotland

The West Highland Line

Start and end points: Glasgow to Mallaig. Journey time: 3 hours 50 minutes. Highlights: The Highland town of Fort William. Glenfinnan and the spectacular viaduct.

Download the route map from ScotRail .

The West Highland Line – or at least the section of it from Fort William to Mallaig – has gained legendary status among Scotland’s tourists.

Everybody knows the scene in the Harry Potter films where the Hogwarts Express transports the young wizard to the magical wizardry school across a multi-arched viaduct. But not everybody knows that this is actually set in the village of Glenfinnan which in addition to the viaduct features gorgeous views from the Glenfinnan Monument across the shores of Loch Shiel.

The section of the railway track as it winds its way north towards Mallaig has been repeatedly voted the best railway journey in the world, and having taken The Jacobite Steam Train myself I have to say it lives up to the title, and then some.

The Jacobite is a 1930s steam locomotive that puffs its way on the 84-mile return journey past a series of stunning Highland vistas. Unlike the other railways, which use modern diesel and electric locomotives with brand-new carriages, the Jacobite pulls restored 1960s carriages, which makes the whole experience feel very special indeed.

The line starts near Ben Nevis (the highest mountain in Britain) before heading towards Arisaig (the furthest-west train station), passing Loch Morar (the deepest freshwater loch) and skirting the River Morar (the shortest river in Britain) before arriving at Mallaig near Loch Nevis (the deepest seawater loch in Britain).

Once at Mallaig, you can take a boat trip around the coastline to see Britain’s largest birds – sea eagles – which hunt from the surrounding clifftops, or you can take a ferry over to the Isle of Skye and its extraordinary landscapes. Or, of course, you can just head back to Fort William on a return journey.

If you’d like to take this amazing train ride I recommend using Get Your Guide which is one of the biggest and best booking websites for activities and tours in Scotland.

The Borders Line

Start and end points: Tweedbank to Edinburgh. Journey time: 1 hour. Highlights: The Borders countryside. The mighty Arthurs Seat in Edinburgh’s Holyrood Park .

The Borders Railway is one of the newest stretches of track in Britain and the first to be built in Scotland in over 100 years. This is a route that’s best used to explore Edinburgh and the Lothians, though I have to admit the Borders are a lovely part of Scotland as well.

The scenery isn’t mountainous and dramatic like you’ll find in the Highlands but it’s certainly picturesque, crossing lowland fields, woodland, and quaint country villages along the way.

Much of this line passes through former mining villages which admittedly don’t have much to offer visitors, but there’s a good tourist attraction in the town of Gorebridge that showcases one of the former mines with a guided tour. Having visited the mine myself I have to say it’s well worth the trip, so check out the National Mining Museum website for the current times and prices.

Once past Gorebridge, you’ll pass open farmland before stopping at Galashiels and Tweedbank. I’d personally give Galashiels a miss and get out at Tweedbank instead as you can take a short walk to visit Abbotsford House which was the ancestral home of Scottish author Sir Walter Scott.

Scott was one of the greatest writers of his time and was so revered that after his death the city of Edinburgh built the Scott Monument as a dedication to him.

You can’t fail to miss the Gothic masterpiece Scott Monument in Edinburgh’s Princes Street (it’s not far from Waverley train station) and it has to be one of the highlights of a visit to the city. The monument is the largest ever created in the world for a writer, and it features an internal winding staircase that allows visitors to look at the cityscape from several viewing platforms

Sticking with the Scottish Borders, another attraction not far from Tweedbank is the historic market town of Melrose which is a lovely quaint wee place that’ll give you a good taste of rural Scotland. It’s also home to Melrose Abbey which is a fascinating ruined abbey close to the River Tweed.

The only negative I have about the Borders railway is that it gets incredibly busy with Edinburgh commuters at peak times which means there’s often standing room only, but travel outside those hours and you’ll have a very relaxed journey.

The Carlisle Line

Start and end points: Carlisle to Glasgow. Journey time: 2 hours 30 minutes. Highlights: Gretna Green , home of untold marriage proposals. Glasgow and its fantastic shopping malls and restaurants.

Just like the Borders Line, the Carlisle Line starts in the countryside of the Scottish Borders, only this time it’s on the other side of the country and finishes in Glasgow instead of Edinburgh.

The similarities between the railway lines continue along the length of this journey as it’s mostly low-lying farmland broken up by the occasional country town, but it does have a couple of stages that make it stand out from the other lines in this list. The first of these has to be Gretna Green which is the second stop after Carlisle.

If you’re an international visitor and are unfamiliar with this place it’s one of the most famous villages in Britain where tens of thousands of young couples fled to get married after England tightened marriage laws in the 1700s.

There’s a decent tourist attraction at the Gretna Green Blacksmiths Shop – the original site of those impromptu marriages – that includes a restaurant, museum, shops and a lover’s maze, and it’s definitely worth a visit if you’re romantically inclined or looking to surprise your other half with a proposal.

After Gretna Green, you’ll pass the town of Dumfries a little further up the track which is a historic market town with a lovely river cutting through it (the River Nith) and a museum dedicated to Scotland’s national poet Robert Burns . It’s worth spending extra time in this area as a little further away lies Caerlaverock Castle and the Solway Firth which are both great places to visit, especially if you’ve got children in tow.

Continuing along the Carlisle Line takes you through rolling countryside which is nice enough but not exactly jaw-dropping, but it does at least finish in Glasgow which in my opinion is one of the most exciting cities in Britain.

Glasgow has way too many attractions to list in this article so you might like to check out The Best Places To Visit in Glasgow for a few ideas on what you can do in Scotland’s biggest city. The museums are fantastic and there are more parks, galleries, restaurants, and shopping malls than you’ll ever be able to fit into a single visit, with the bonus being that all the best attractions are completely free to enter.

The Far North Line

Start and end points: Inverness to Wick. Journey time: 4 hours 30 minutes. Highlights: The historic town of Wick. The photogenic Dunrobin Castle.

Possibly the remotest railway in Scotland, the Far North Line runs from the city of Inverness to the (almost-but-not-quite) most northern point of the country at Wick.

Wide-open and desolate, much of the scenery that glides past the window is barren grassland interspersed with the occasional mountain, and it’s not surprising that this part of Scotland is one of the least inhabited regions in Europe outside of the steppes of Russia. But that’s not to say the journey isn’t worth making as there are several sights that more than make up for the apparent desolation.

Starting in Inverness the line sweeps up the northeast edge of Scotland in a gently sweeping arc, crossing the Cromarty Firth and Invergordon along the way. To be honest, I’d give Invergordon a miss, but the Cromarty Firth is lovely in the summer and makes a great starting point for cyclists keen to follow the tourist road up the NC500 towards John O’ Groats .

If cycling isn’t your thing you can continue the train ride to Tain (home of Glenmorangie whisky) and Dunrobin Castle which is arguably the finest castle in Scotland. The train station is just a short distance from this historic attraction so you may as well stop and visit it as it’s a real gem with stunning architecture that faces a drop-dead gorgeous coastline.

The Far North Line continues past Dunrobin for the majority of its journey along the northeast coast till it finally makes a diversion west to Thurso before doubling back on itself at Wick.

Thurso is an ok town and while I’ve only visited it once it was raining so it came across as being a bit… grey. Wick isn’t that much better on the looks front but it has a lot of history to be proud of because at one time it was one of the biggest herring fishing ports in the world.

They’re certainly proud of their heritage in Wick which is clearly displayed in the excellent Wick Heritage Museum that’s hidden away at the far end of the harbour. It’s an absolute Tardis in there so don’t get put off by the unassuming frontage as you’ll easily spend a couple of hours exploring the exhibits.

Finally, no train journey on the Far North Line is complete without taking a short detour to Scotland’s most northerly point at John O’ Groats . This is quite a busy little attraction that looks out across the sea to Orkney in the distance, and a selfie in front of the famous signpost is an absolute must if you’re visiting the area.

My advice after wandering around the (slightly gimmicky) tourist area is to take a short walk up the coastline to see the mighty Duncansby Stacks, which are enormous rock formations set against the backdrop of very dramatic cliffs.

The Stranraer Line

Start and end points: Stranraer to Glasgow. Journey time: 2 hours 30 minutes. Highlights: The beach at Ayr. The city of Glasgow.

I’d say the Stranraer Line is probably the least-used by visiting tourists, mainly because this corner of southwest Scotland doesn’t have as many attractions as the rest of the country. While the Solway Firth to the south draws visitors from far and wide who admire its attractive bays and nature reserves, the stretch of coastline further north tends to go a little unnoticed, even though it gets more attractive the further north you go.

This railway branches off at several points, but the main line from the fishing port of Stranraer to Glasgow is the focus of the journey, with the coastal towns of Ayr and Troon offering a pleasant contrast to the farmland that so inspired the poet Robert Burns .

Both towns have decent enough beaches but not much else, although Ayr is notable for the river running through it and the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum . Troon, meanwhile, is worth visiting for the views across the Firth of Clyde towards the Isle of Arran and Royal Troon, which is a large golf course that regularly hosts the Open Championship.

The town is also a quick 5-minute train ride from Prestwick International Airport, so if you’re visiting and have a few hours to kill before the next flight, it makes a decent place to get some fresh air before getting onboard that stuffy plane.

From Troon, the track curves inland past Lochs Semple, Barr,, and Kilbirnie before sweeping further inland past Paisley and onwards into the heart of Glasgow. One attraction you might like to visit before the final stop in Glasgow city centre is Pollock Country Park .

This is the largest park in Glasgow and features lots of woodland and riverside walks, play parks and walled gardens, and as it’s just a few minutes bus ride from the Cardonald train station you can easily get there if you fancy a break from the busy city.

The Kyle Line

Start and end points: Inverness to the Kyle of Lochalsh. Journey time: 2 hours 40 minutes. Highlights: The Torridon Peaks, Achnashellach Forest, Ben Wyvis.

The Kyle Line stretches across North Scotland from Inverness – the capital of the Highlands – to Loch Alsh on the west coast. This is one of the most scenic train journeys in this list and it’s a firm favourite with visitors thanks to the stunning scenery.

You’ll start your journey in Inverness which is easily reached from all the main stations in Scotland, though it might take a little while to get there as the country’s other cities are either located on the east coast or much further south. Expect the train ride from Glasgow and Edinburgh to take around 4 hours to reach Inverness and around 2 hours from Aberdeen.

From Inverness, the train passes the Beauly Firth (a body of water that connects the River Ness to the Moray Firth) and Dingwall where you’ll see the hulking mass of Ben Wyvis. This sprawling mountain dominates the landscape and it’s a recommended hill-walking destination, with the undulating ridge running 3 miles to its highest point at Glas Leathad Mor which has an elevation of just over 3,400 feet.

From Dingwall, the line passes through a mountainous Highland region near Loch Garve where you’ll see the peaks of Torridon before entering a region of thick forest as the track makes its way to Loch Luichart.

There are several points on this journey where the rail track closely follows a relatively busy road (the A835) but once it gets near the loch it runs alongside much quieter roads to the final destination at the Kyle of Lochalsh. From there, you’re just a stone’s throw from the Isle of Skye so you may as well hire a car and cross the Skye bridge to explore this famous west coast island.

There’s a car hire company close to the Kyle Line end terminal if you want to extend your journey and if you do I suggest you take a short drive (about 10 miles) towards the spectacular Eilean Donan Castle while you’re in the area. This stunning castle is situated at the meeting point of lochs Long, Duich, and Alsh (one of the prettiest viewpoints in Scotland) and it’s an absolute must-do if you’re visiting the area.

One-Week Scotland Train Tour Itinerary

Now that we’ve looked at the main railway lines in Scotland, you might be wondering how to put it all together for an extended tour of the country. A quick look online shows lots of opinions about where to go and in what order to see each region, but almost all itineraries involve visiting Edinburgh, Glasgow, The Highlands, and the Isle of Skye.

Concentrating on those areas will show you the best of Scotland – from historic cities to wild mountainous landscapes – on a tour that should take around one week to complete.

Rather than just regurgitate what every other travel writer says, in the following section I’m going to show you the same train tour I took a couple of years ago which I’ve no hesitation in saying was one of the best experiences of my life.

To begin, I bought a Spirit of Scotland rail pass (details further down this page) that gave me unlimited rail travel across the country for 8 days and pre-booked hotels in the middle of each area. I then used each hotel as a base and either took public transport or hired a car to go sightseeing.

By booking everything myself I managed to get the total cost down to around £800, which admittedly isn’t the cheapest holiday in the world but it’s a lot cheaper than most of the specialist package holiday dealers are asking (£2000+ for a week-long train tour of Scotland. Ouch!).

Day 1: Edinburgh

Edinburgh needs no introduction as it’s one of the most-visited tourist cities in Europe and is full of so many world-famous attractions it simply has to be included in a train tour of Scotland.

A single day really isn’t enough to see all of Edinburgh, but because the city is so compact you can walk between the top attractions without ever feeling like you’re getting lost. To start your day I recommend walking from Waverley train station in the city centre to Princes Street Gardens which is home to The Scott Monument and the National Galleries of Scotland.

From the gardens, head to Edinburgh Castle (be aware you could easily spend most of the day at this single attraction), and then soak up the atmosphere of The Royal Mile before taking a look inside St. Giles Cathedra l. If you have time, continue down The Royal Mile to Holyrood Palace , or perhaps stretch your legs in Holyrood Park where you can climb to the top of Arthur’s Seat for unparalleled views of the city.

To be honest, you’ll never fit all of that into a single day unless you fly around everything, so you’ll have to pick what interests you most. I recommend Edinburgh Castle (a must-do), The Royal Mile and the cathedral, followed by Holyrood Palace and Holyrood Park if you have any time before the sun sets.

As far as getting around the city goes, you could walk and hope to stumble across all the main sights, but I can tell you from personal experience you’ll have a much more enjoyable time by using a hop-on hop-off tour bus to visit the top attractions.

Day 2: Central Scotland

Day 2 centres around Fife, Perthshire, and Angus in Central Scotland. This is a less-visited part of Scotland but it features the gorgeous east coast, the forests of Perthshire’s ‘big tree country’, and the possibility of exploring the historic St. Andrews and Scone Palace.

On my tour, I based myself in Dundee, saw the city in the morning, and then took a train ride to Perth in the afternoon. Dundee is a historic city that borders the estuary of the River Tay and the North Sea, and it has a couple of very good attractions in the city centre.

My recommended itinerary is to book accommodation near Dundee train station and walk to the V&A Design Museum and the RRS Discovery, or get a taxi to the superb McManus Museum . Alternatively, take a train to Leuchars (20 minutes) and then take a bus to St. Andrews which is an exceptionally pretty historic town that has a lovely beachfront with a castle, St. Andrews Aquarium , and St. Andrews Cathedral .

From Dundee it’s another short train ride (20 minutes) to the city of Perth which offers lovely riverside walks along the River Tay, the Black Watch Castle and Museum, and the stunning Scone Palace (you’ll need to book a 20-minute taxi from Perth city centre to get to it). If you don’t feel like heading to Perth, another very good historic attraction is the 600-year-old Glamis Castle, which is a 30-minute taxi ride from the centre of Dundee.

Day 3: The Cairngorms National Park

From Dundee, it’s a 2-hour train ride to Aviemore which will take you into the heart of the Cairngorms National Park. The park is situated in the heart of the Scottish Highlands and is the largest national park in the UK, so if you’ve any interest in exploring the wilds of Scotland this is your best opportunity.

Aviemore is often called the gateway to the Highlands and you’ll no doubt find yourself sharing the experience with lots of walkers, cyclists, and skiers thanks to the Cairngorm Mountain Centre which is a 20-minute taxi ride from the town centre.

The centre allows visitors to walk partway up Cairn Gorm mountain where they’ll have breathtaking views across the Highlands landscape at the Coire Cas viewpoint, or they can take the easier option on a funicular railway that glides up and down the mountain slopes.

Other attractions in the area are Loch Morlich (home to the highest beach in Britain), the beautiful Glenmore Forest Park, and the wonderful Cairngorm Reindeer Centre where you can say hello to the UK’s only herd of wild reindeer.

If you have time, a 20-minute drive south of Aviemore takes visitors to The Highland Wildlife Park which features a mini safari around enclosures that house some of the animals that live in the world’s remotest cold regions (including polar bears!).

This is a fantastic tourist attraction and is highly recommended if you have children with you, as is the beautiful Rothiemurchus Estate which offers fun activities in the Highland landscape including pony trekking, quad biking, mountain biking, and white water rafting.

Day 4: Inverness and Loch Ness

This is a short train ride at around 45 minutes but it’s very pretty, so keep your camera at the ready.

Once in Inverness (the unofficial capital of the Highlands), you’ll find lots of attractions in the surrounding area, but the one essential place to visit has to be Loch Ness . Inverness sits at the northern end of the loch, where it transitions into the River Ness, which opens out onto the Beauly Firth.

A search on Get Your Guide will bring up lots of tour operators that run excursions to the Loch, or alternatively, hire a car as you’ll be able to explore the loch in your own time (try Travel Supermarket for good car hire deals).

Highlights of Loch Ness are visiting the historic Urquhart Castle and taking a boat tour to see the loch from the water (it’s the best way to see the infamous Loch Ness monster).

To get to either you’ll need to travel along the A82 which is very scenic and presents several spots to pull the car over and admire the body of water with a picnic in hand – but make sure Nessie doesn’t steal your sandwiches.

Heading back to Inverness you’ll find it’s a rather attractive city but there aren’t many attractions in the centre. However, a short (30-minute) taxi ride will take you to Fort George which is a huge 18th-century military base that overlooks the Moray Firth.

The fort features museums, a military chapel, barrack blocks, a munitions depot and much more, but the highlight has to be standing on the gunnery platform and looking across the sea to Chanonry Point which is home to Britain’s only permanent resident dolphin pod.

Day 5 and 6: The Isle of Skye

This part of the tour sees visitors hopping back on the train and heading to Dingwall before swapping onto the Kyle Line which finishes at Kyle of Lochalsh.

Before heading to Skye, I recommend heading to Eilean Donan Castle which is located a 15-minute taxi ride from Kyle of Lochalsh on the A87. The castle is one of, if not the , most picturesque castles in Scotland, so if you haven’t been to a castle by this point Eilean Donan is the place to go.

After the castle, it’s time to cross the Syke Bridge to spend time on the stunning Isle of Skye, though be aware that even two days is not enough time to see all of the island. If you do, you’ll find a hire car (Travel Supermarket) is an absolute necessity, as although it’s possible to use buses and taxis on Skye, they’re few and far between.

A car, meanwhile, means you can drive to stunning places like the Fairy Glen (a natural landscape of strange earthworks), the Fairy Pools (a series of pools and waterfalls), and the Quiraing (a dramatic landscape formed by an ancient landslide).

Other highlights of Skye are Dunvegan Castle on the island’s northwest tip, the pretty village of Portree, and the huge rock landmark of the Old Man of Storr . There are also lovely beaches surrounding the island, lots of walks into the Black and Red Cuillin mountains, and ferry trips over to the secluded Isle of Raasay.

There’s a lot to see, so if you do find yourself wondering where to go I recommend at least the Fairy Pools, Portree, the Old Man of Storr, the Quiraing, and Dunvegan Castle. After finishing your sightseeing tour you’ll need to travel down to the southwest tip of the island to Armadale and then catch a ferry to Mallaig on the mainland where you can continue your journey on the iconic West Highland Line.

Day 7: The West Highland Line and Glasgow

I already covered the West Highland Line earlier in this article so I won’t repeat myself here, other than to say it is, without doubt, the most scenic railway in Scotland.

By far the best way to experience the route is on the restored Jacobite steam train which runs from Fort William to Mallaig and back in a single day, but sadly the train doesn’t offer one-way tickets so you can’t join it from Mallaig. Instead, visitors can clamber aboard the regular ScotRail carriages to make this journey which isn’t as historic but is certainly quieter and comfier.

The entire journey from Mallaig to Glasgow takes 5-6 hours depending on the time of travel, but there are a couple of places to break it up if you’d like to add an extra day onto the itinerary.

The first is the town of Fort William which is a superb place to base yourself for hikes up nearby Ben Nevis. Climbing Britain’s highest mountain is a dream of many people, but as the return route takes 7-8 hours on average it needs a full day to plan, complete, and recover from. The second place to take an extra day on the West Highland Line is Oban which opens up opportunities for exploring the western isles.

Depending on the ferry times I recommend sailing from Oban to Craignure on Mull as the crossing takes less than an hour and there are usually at least 3 ferries every day.

Returning to the West Highland Line and its endpoint in Glasgow, you probably won’t want to do too much sightseeing when you arrive, but there are plenty of nighttime activities to enjoy thanks to the city’s unmatched collection of bars, restaurants, late-night shopping malls and cinemas.

The best place for families to go on an early evening outing is the city centre around Queen Street and Argyll Streets as there are dozens of family-friendly places to eat, but couples might prefer to head to the Finnieston Strip which is livelier and has more traditional bars.

Highlights have to be the Riverside Museum of Transport on the River Clyde, The Tall Ship (a restored sailing ship) that’s moored outside, and the Glasgow Science Centre that’s located almost directly opposite.

History lovers will no doubt enjoy wandering around the grand Glasgow Cathedral and the Necropolis (a vast Victorian cemetery), while anyone who enjoys museums will have a blast at Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum and the Hunterian Museum at the University of Glasgow .

Day 8: Edinburgh and the Borders Line

Following a busy day of sightseeing in Glasgow, it’s now time to return to Edinburgh with another train journey that takes less than an hour door to door. The bonus here is that you’ll have plenty of time to see everything you couldn’t fit into day one of this train tour, or alternatively, you could venture outside the capital.

If that interests you I have two options to recommend.

The first is to book yourself onto a Get Your Guide tour that will take you to fascinating places like Rosslyn Chapel , and the second is to take a ride on the Borders Railway. This train line opens up the pretty countryside south of Edinburgh where quaint villages and enormous medieval abbeys appear to lie around every corner.

The Scottish Borders is a very underrated region in my opinion, and watching it glide past the window in a train carriage is, without doubt, the nicest way to see it.

My advice for places to visit on the Borders Railway is to ride it to the last station at Tweedbank and then take a taxi to Abbotsford House which is a stunning Victorian mansion set in an incredibly scenic location. The house was built by famed Scottish writer Sir Walter Scott and is full to the brim with collections of books, artefacts from Scott’s travels, curios, and vintage books, while the extensive grounds outside offer pleasant walks through manicured gardens.

The Borders Line takes an hour each way from Edinburgh to Tweedbank and Abbotsford House has enough things to see to keep visitors busy for around 4 hours, making this wee adventure a nice relaxed end to a busy week of touring Scotland by train.

Resources for Scotland Train Tours

The Trainline : The Trainline is the UK’s favourite train ticket booking service, mainly due to the fact they make the process so easy.

Once you’ve registered you can enter your credit card details and book your tickets online with the minimum of fuss, and being able to reserve a ticket when you’re late is an absolute godsend. Not only that but you’ll usually get a big discount by purchasing your ticket through them – sometimes up to 60% or more compared to buying at the station.

ScotRail : ScotRail is Scotland’s main train operator that provides the majority of the routes detailed in this article. While you’ll frequently hear weary commuters complaining about the service, I have to admit I’ve never had any problems using any train in Scotland whether it’s been for work or pleasure.

As a whole the carriages are clean and they’re usually on time. Not to Japanese or Swiss ultra-efficient standards or anything, but never more than a few minutes deviation from the stated time (again, this is purely based on my personal experience here in Edinburgh).

ScotRail gets top marks for its website which seems to offer more and more information the deeper you delve into it. It’s a great resource for rail travel in Scotland and it’s a website that you should definitely bookmark if you’re a new visitor to this country.

Traffic Scotland : Where would the humble commuter be without Traffic Scotland ? Probably gnawing their steering wheels in frustration at being stuck in yet more roadworks I’m guessing, or seething at the fact the fast lane has been closed for repairs AGAIN.

Traffic Scotland distributes real-time information about closures, delays, accidents, and general annoyances on the country’s road network, but it also provides information on the rail network.

It’s not the easiest website to navigate admittedly and the design looks like it’s straight out of 1995, but the information is reliable nonetheless. For rail travel, click the Further Travel Information > Travel information Links section in the sidebar and then the ‘Are you interested in air, rail…’ link at the top of the next page.

You’ll find links to all the main train stations in Scotland along with details of any line closures and whether the next train is on time or not.

Traveline Scotland : The one website I go back to time and time again when planning a train journey is Traveline Scotland . This website has a very useful journey planner that you can access from their homepage which allows you to enter a beginning and endpoint along with a departure time, after which it displays the travel time and train route on a big map.

It really helps to be able to see the journey you’ll be taking and makes it a breeze to see which attractions are located around each station – which is essential when planning a whistle-stop tour of Scotland. Take my advice and bookmark it ASAP.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to see on a train tour of scotland.

The Borders Line : The Borders countryside and Arthurs Seat in Edinburgh’s Holyrood Park . The Carlisle Line : Gretna Green and Glasgow city centre. The Far North Line : The historic town of Wick and Dunrobin Castle. The Stranraer Line : The beach at Ayr and Glasgow city centre. The Kyle Line : The Torridon Peaks, Achnashellach Forest, Ben Wyvis. The West Highland Line : Fort William and Glenfinnan.

Which train tickets can I buy in Scotland?

Off-peak  tickets are restricted for use between the morning and evening peak times. Anytime  tickets are valid for use at any time of the day and are usually more expensive than off-peak tickets. First-class  tickets are more expensive than the other two types but offer a higher standard of service, including free Wi-Fi and refreshments.

Which railcards can I use in Scotland?

Two Together Railcard : Gives a third off all rail travel on off-peak journeys for any two people over the age of 16 when they travel together. 26-30 Railcard : Gives a third off all rail travel on off-peak journeys for people aged between 26 and 30 years. Senior Railcard : Saves a third off train fares for anyone aged over 60 years. Highland Railcard : Offers a 50% discount for people who live in the Scottish Highlands.

What are the best rail travel planning websites?

The Trainline is the UK’s favourite train ticket booking service. ScotRail is Scotland’s main train operator and operates the majority of the lines in the country. Traffic Scotland distributes real-time information about closures, delays and accidents. Traveline Scotland has a journey planner that displays the travel time and train route on a map.

What is the best train journey in Scotland?

The most beautiful train journey in Scotland is The Jacobite from Fort William to Mallaig which has been described as one of the most scenic railway journeys in the world.

What is the nicest way to travel to Scotland by train from London?

The most luxurious train journey is the Caledonian Sleeper train to Scotland which operates overnight between London and multiple destinations between Edinburgh and Inverness. It is called a sleeper train because it has sleeping compartments where passengers can sleep while the train is in motion. Some of these compartments have double beds and en-suite bathrooms.

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Craig Neil is the author, photographer, admin, and pretty much everything else behind Out About Scotland. He lives near Edinburgh and spends his free time exploring Scotland and writing about his experiences. Follow him on Pinterest , Facebook , and YouTube .

Scotland by Train Itinerary (with Scenic Rail Journeys)

By: Author Tracy Collins

Posted on Last updated: February 4, 2024

Are you planning to visit Scotland? Have you considered a Scottish road trip but decided that’s not for you and would rather travel Scotland by train?

Over the years we have explored Scotland by both train and by car and as an alternative to our Scottish road trip itinerary, we decided to put together a detailed itinerary for those of you who would prefer to take the train.

You will be pleased to hear that travelling around Scotland by train is fairly easy as the railways operate on a route map that is not difficult to navigate in a generally circular direction (with a bus/car/taxi link in between as there are no trains on the Isle of Skye)

Our Scotland by rail itinerary also includes some of the most scenic rail journeys Scotland has to offer with breathtaking scenery and a welcoming rich history and heritage. 

Add this Scotland train itinerary to our best of Britain by rail itinerary for the holiday of a lifetime. Perfect for train lovers and those who like to sit back and enjoy the journey as much as the destination.

Map of the route

Edinburgh – day 1, edinburgh days 2 – 3, accommodation options in edinburgh (near waverley train station), accommodation options in glasgow, accommodation options in oban, day 6 – oban, accommodation options in fort william, day 8 – fort william, accommodation options in portree on the isle of skye, day 10 to 11 – isle of skye, accommodation options in inverness, day 13 – inverness, day 14 – inverness to edinburgh.

• Train Passes

More UK rail travel tips and inspiration

Overview of the scotland by rail itinerary.

✅ The itinerary starts in the beautiful Scottish capital city of Edinburgh before you set off west towards Glasgow.

✅ After a day in Glasgow head to Oban to explore the islands of Mull, Iona and Staffa before a train ride to Fort William (the gateway to the Scottish Highlands).

✅ Embark on a short ferry ride from Mallaig to Armadale and onto the stunning Isle of Skye (this bit of the itinerary has to be taken by bus, taxi or tour) .

✅ A bus from Skye over the bridge will take you back to rejoin the train line at the Kyle of Lochalsh and a scenic ride to Inverness.

✅ The final train journey to Edinburgh through the beautiful Cairngorms National Park completes the journey.

For each destination included in this Scotland by train itinerary, we have included recommendations of what to see and do, accommodation options plus practical tips and details to help you on your way.

We have also included the distances between destinations and the estimated time it will take you to travel each leg of the journey.

Scotland by train itinerary

Days 1-3  edinburgh.

Perhaps you are planning to fly into Edinburgh or take the train to Edinburgh from London (or another UK destination)?

If you arrive by plane it is good to know that the connection from Edinburgh airport to the city centre is served by a frequent tram service that takes around 30 mins. A single ticket is around £6.50 and a return is £9.  The return ticket is open for a return journey at any time (even months later).

If you arrive by train you will alight the train at Edinburgh Waverley Station which is located on Princes Street in the centre of the city.

There is much to see and do in Edinburgh. The city caters to all interests, including history, walking, royal and military fans as well as whisky fans.

It really is impossible to visit everything the city has to offer in 2 days so we recommend prioritising your must-see items when planning your itinerary.

Highlights of Edinburgh include

• Historic Edinburgh Castle
• The Royal Mile
• Climb Arthur’s Seat and look at the Views
• The Port of Leith and the Royal Yacht Britannia
• The Palace of Holyrood House. 
• Greyfriars Kirkyard
• Taking a ghost tour
• Edinburgh Botanic Gardens

Read – 27 things to do in Edinburgh

If this isn’t your first visit to Edinburgh (or you prefer to explore further afield and can base yourself in the city for a few more days) why not take a day trip by train? Destinations within easy reach of Edinburgh include

• Leuchars (for St Andrews golf course)

All are approx 1 hour from Edinburgh except Aberdeen which takes around 2.5 hours)

Read – Best day trips by train from Edinburgh

Alternatively, join an organised day tour from Edinburgh. Popular choices include this Outlander

• ⭐️  Best luxury hotel in Edinburgh –  The Balmoral
• 🛌  Best B&B in Edinburgh –  The Elder York Guest House
• 💰  Best budget accommodation in Edinburgh –  Holiday Inn Express Royal Mile

Day 4 – Edinburgh to Glasgow

📍 On Day 4 it’s time to depart from Edinburgh and head to Scotland’s most populous city – Glasgow.  

🕘 This is a short train journey and only takes around 50 minutes.

✅ There are multiple services available daily.

🔎 During the train journey look out for the Kelpies in Falkirk. These are the 30-metre-high equine sculptures in Helix Park, visible from the train on the right-hand side from Edinburgh. Look carefully, they are easily missed.

Highlights of Glasgow include

• The Kelvingrove Museum & Art Gallery
• Glasgow Cathedral & Necropolis
• Glasgow Street Art

Read more – One-day itinerary for Glasgow

• ⭐️  Best luxury hotel in Glasgow – Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel 
• 🛌  Best B&B in Glasgow – The Alamo
• 💰  Best budget accommodation in Glasgow – Ibis Styles George Square

Day 5 – Glasgow to Oban

📍 From the Queens Street station catch the train on the West Highland line which is THE number one scenic Scottish train journey (and one of our top 10 UK train trips ).  

🕘 Check your train times as there are only a few trains daily in each direction. The journey to Oban is around 3 hours.

The train heads north out of Glasgow. If possible try to sit on the left side of the train in the direction of travel as the train heads north for the best loch views.

The station at Balloch about 50 mins outside Glasgow is a change station for Loch Lomond if this is an area you want to explore further.

The train divides or splits at Crianlarich, about 90 minutes from Glasgow, with one portion of the train heading to Oban. The other portion of the train heads north to Fort William across the famous Rannock Moor. 

You will be told which part of the train to sit in to ensure you are heading in the correct direction.

On the train journey to Oban from Crianlarich enjoy spectacular views of Loch Lomond, Glen Lochy, Loch Awe and then the shores of Loch Etive.

Highlights of Oban include

• McCaig’s Tower and battery on the hill overlooking Oban.
• Oban is known as the seafood capital of Scotland
• Oban Distillery
• ⭐️  Best luxury hotel in Oban – No17 The Promenade
• 💰  Best budget accommodation in Oban – Glenmoore Guest House

One Day 6 take a tour from Oban to some of Scotland’s most stunning islands – Iona, Staffa, and Mull.

There are a number of tours available from Oban – most last all day. Also worth noting that these may not suit if you suffer from sea sickness! Check out Staffa Tours for more info

Day 7 – Oban to Fort William

Day 7 catch the train from Oban back to Crianlarich and change there for the train to Fort William.

🕘 Journey time is dependent on the service caught from Oban and the time to wait for the connecting service at Crianlarich. Overall time travel time is around 3 to 4 hours.

The train journey from Crianlarich will take you across Rannock Moor on the West Highland train line. 

The next train station stop is at Corrour which is the highest mainline UK train station at 1339 feet.  Here many walkers end/start their hikes over this amazing landscape.

After Corrour the train travels on to Fort William. Look out for the peak of Ben Nevis, Scotland’s highest peak at 4,411 feet.

Highlights of Fort William include

• Neptune’s staircase
• Ben Nevis Visitor Centre
• Glenfinnan Visitor centre and monument
• Glenfinnan Viaduct

Read more – Best things to do and see in Fort William

• ⭐️  Best luxury hotel in Fort William – Inverlochy Castle Hotel   (this is a taxi ride* from the train station)
• 🛌  Best B&B in Fort William – Glentower Lower Observatory
• 💰  Best budget accommodation in Fort William – Culacrick Guest House 

*Note that there are taxis generally available outside Fort William train station.

If you are completing this Scotland by rail itinerary between April and October we recommend booking tickets on the world-famous Jacobite Express steam train to Mallaig (aka the Harry Potter train).

The train departs once a day in the morning from early April until late October. From May to September, an additional train service also runs every afternoon. The Jacobite train is operated by West Coast Railways.

Tip – Arrive at the train station in Fort William in plenty of time to soak up the fantastic atmosphere of the Harry Potter train and take plenty of photos and videos.

❗️Remember to book your tickets early as this sells out very quickly.

Read – How to ride the Harry Potter train in Scotland

Good to know – If you are unable to book tickets for the Jacobite (or are travelling out of season) the normal service train travels over the same train line.  This means you will still travel over the Glenfinnan viaduct and see the same spectacular views along the way to Mallaig.

🕘 The train ride between Fort William and Mallaig takes around 1 hour and 25 mins from Fort William to Mallaig.

What to do and see in Mallaig

The endpoint of the West Highland Train line is Mallaig. Look out for the beautiful views of the islands of Eigg and Rum and the white sands of Morar as the train line hugs the coastline on its way to Mallaig.

In Mallaig explore the beautiful restaurants and try some local seafood and wander around the harbour. For Harry Potter fans there is a dedicated shop also worth exploring.

Day 9 – Fort William (Mallaig) to Armadale (Isle of Skye)

Mallaig is the ferry terminal for the crossing to the truly breathtaking Isle of Skye.

The ferry carries road vehicles and foot passengers and is currently operated by Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac). CalMac also provides ferry services to the Western Isles including Barra, Bute, Arran, Harris, Iona and Eriskey from Mallaig.

🕘 The ferry journey takes 25 minutes before arriving at the ferry port at Armadale which is located in the southern part of the Sleat Peninsula on Skye. 

Whilst there is a road bridge to Skye via the Kyle of Lochalsh the ferry is the best option from Fort William for this rail trip.

How to travel from Armadale to your accommodation on Skye

On arrival at Armadale, you have a few options to get around the island. There are no trains on Skye so you will need to make alternative transport arrangements.

• Taxi to Portree* – takes 1 hour and costs £60+
• Rent a car – There is a small family-run car rental company located in Armadale. Organise a car pick here for the Skye leg of your trip before returning (for an additional fee) to the Kyle of Lochalsh.
• Bus –

*Public transport and tour options are easier from Portree so for this reason (if you do not hire a car from Armadale) we recommend basing yourself in Portree for the duration of your stay on Skye.

• ⭐️  Best luxury hotel on Skye – Cuillin Hills Hotel
• 🛌  Best B&B in on Skye – Canowindra B&B
• 💰  Best budget accommodation on Skye – Tianavaig View Apartments

Read – Complete guide to where to stay on Skye (area and accommodation)

With so much to see on Skye and places to visit visitors are often left thinking they might have wanted more time here (including us in 2022!)

For this reason, it is best to prioritise your must-see places and plan your itinerary accordingly. If you have not hired a car at Armadale your options to explore the island are the following:

• Catch local buses around the island
• Take a tour from Portree
• Hire a private driver tour guide to show you the highlights of the island

Highlights on the Isle of Skye include

• Fairy Pools
• Dunvegan Castle and gardens
• The Old Man of Storr
• Kilt Rock and Mealt falls
• Talisker Distillery
• Armadale Castle Gardens and museum.

Day 12 – Isle of Skye to Kyle of Lochalsh and Inverness

Leaving Skye over the bridge to the Kyle of Lochalsh is possible by taxi or by bus.  From Portree (Square) the 917 Citylink Service costs around £9 for one adult fare. 

The bus stops at Kyle of Lochalsh Old Slipway bus stop and takes around 1 hour. The bus stop is a few minutes walk to the train station.

What to see around the Kyle of Lochalsh

If you are dropping off the hire car you picked up at Armadale at the Kyle of Lochalsh consider exploring a little of the area before you do so.

• Eilean Donan Castle is 9 miles (about 15 mins drive away) along the coast of Loch Alsh.
• Manuela’s Wee Bakery

Train to Inverness

🛤 This is the beautifully scenic Kyle line.

🕘 The train to Inverness takes around 2.5 hours.

What to see on the train journey to Inverness

From Kyle, the train line hugs the coastline of Loch Carron and at the station of Plockton is the location setting of the popular UK TV program Hamish Macbeth (from the 1990s).

Look out for the Torridon Hills on the left-hand side of the train just after the station at Achnashellach. The line then rises and falls en route to Dingwall past Loch Garve, Loch Luichart and Loch a’Chuilinn with constantly stunning views. Dingwall is at the end of the Cromarty Firth. From here the line heads the 20 minutes journey south to Inverness.  

From Dingwall a change of train on the Far North Line would take you to the north tip of Scotland at Thurso and Wick train stations. From here if you wish to visit the John O’Groats or the Orkney Islands .

• ⭐️  Best hotel in Inverness near the train station – River Ness Hotel
• 🛌  Best B&B in Inverness – Moyness House
• 💰  Best budget accommodation in Inverness – Inverness Youth Hostel

Highlights of Inverness – including easy day trip ideas

• Loch Ness and Castle Urquhart
• Culloden battlefield
• Clava Cairns – Bronze Age Cairn
• Fort George- Artillery fortification
• I nverness to Thurso and Wick (Far North Line)

Good to know – the hop-on hop-off bus from Inverness has stops at Culloden and Loch Ness

Read more – Best day trips from Inverness

✅ On day 14 catch the train back to Edinburgh Waverley from Inverness. 

🔀 There is a choice of train routes to take – the coastal route that takes in Aberdeen and Dundee or the central route that passes through Aviemore, Pitlochry and Perth.

🕘 The coastal route takes around 5 hours while the central route to Edinburgh takes between 3 hours 30 mins – 4 hours.

Both routes are scenic and have contrasting landscapes. There are merits to both depending on timescales or your specific interests such as the Whisky Trail from the station of Keith north of Aberdeen.

Both routes take in the iconic Forth Rail Bridge which is about 12 minutes away from Edinburgh.

The bridge was completed in December 1889 and spans over the Firth of Forth at South Queensferry. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Train ticket and passes – options for your Scotland rail itinerary

There are a number of options open to you when it comes to buying tickets for the Scotland by rail itinerary detailed above. The most cost-effective option for train tickets may be to compare the cost of a train pass or ticket discounts with a railcard.

Train Pass es

The two passes available are the BritRail Pass or the Global Eurail Pass (or Global Interail pass if you live in Europe).

Note – Unfortunately, the Scottish Highlands BritRail Pass and the Spirit of Scotland BritRail Pass are unavailable at the moment due to Covid – hopefully, they will be available again soon.

This means that you would need to buy a regular BritRail Pass for travel by trail in Scotland. The following types are available:

Flexible – 2 Day, 3 Day, 4 Day, 8 Day (valid within 1 month) and 15 Day (valid within 2 months)

Consecutive – 2 Day, 3 Day, 4 Day, 8 Day, 15 Day, 22 Day, 1 Month

The other alternative is a Global Eurail Pass . It offers consecutive travel for 15 or 22 consecutive days, or buy a pass valid for 1, 2 or 3 months. Or a flexible pass for 4, 5 or 7 non-consecutive days spread over a month; or for 10 or 15 days during a two month period. 

With 6 days of train travel (excluding the Jacobite which is not covered by either pass) a 7 day Global Eurail flexipass may be the most cost-effective for this itinerary.

Read – Global Eurail Pass versus BritRail Pass

Another option would be to purchase a d i g i t a l railcard and compare the cost of tickets with discounts from the railcard applied.

Examples of railcards include:

• Two Together Railcard – Costs £30 for the year. Two travellers are named on the same card and you must always travel together to get one-third off the normal ticket price.
• Senior Railcard – For the over 60s. Costs £30 for the year and offers one-third off rail fares.
• UK Train Travel Guide ebook
• Tips to save money on UK train travel
• Britrail vs Gobal Eurail Pass
• Best day trips from Glasgow by train
• Guide to the Caledonian Sleeper (and podcast episode)
• 9 Tips for travelling the UK by train
• Introduction to UK train travel podcast episode #2
• Best day trips from Edinburgh

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Experience stunning natural beauty:, how to see scotland by train:, journeys from edinburgh and glasgow, the spirit of scotland rail passes, will using the passes save money, using seat reservations, saving with off peak tickets, travelling with children, travelling with dogs, travelling with bikes, to scotland by train:, exploring scotland with bookmundi, other uk rail holiday ideas:, please support showmethejourney.

How To Explore Scotland By Train

Tips and insights for Scottish train travel, cheaper Off-Peak tickets are available all day until June 28th!

There really is only one way to explore beautiful Scotland and that's by train. Whether you are day tripping or visiting for longer, train travel offers you reliability and flexibility at affordable prices.

The trains which some travel along some of the world’s most beautiful railway lines are mostly brand new or have been recently modernised; so now is a great time to be making the most of this renaissance of the Scottish rail network.

On the rail map of Europe the exceptionally scenic routes have green borders, and Scotland is second only to Switzerland as the area of Europe with the highest percentage of these green lines. And most of the other Scottish rail routes which haven't been highlighted on that map, such as the route between Aberdeen and Inverness, are also delightful.

It's fair to say there are a limited number of routes on the Scottish railway map , but many of those that remain are remarkable survivors. To avoid the political implications of most the stunning Scottish Highlands being deprived of trains on the mass route closure plans of the 1960s , the likes of Fort William , Kyle of Lochalsh and Thurso still have stations; the fact that travelling to them is a magical experience just happens to be a happy accident!

Head north or south from Edinburgh or from Glasgow , and in less than half an hour you’ll find yourself surrounded by Scotland’s natural beauty . Plus in addition to the lochs, rivers and mountains, you’ll experience some of the best coastal views available from European trains.

• Top left: The view from the north side of the Forth Bridge.
• Top right: Loch Long as seen on the Glasgow to Fort William , Mallaig and Oban train journeys.
• Bottom left: From the north shore of the Firth of Forth on trains from Edinburgh to Aberdeen , Dundee and Inverness .
• Bottom right: Loch Gare from those trains heading to Fort William and Oban

There are three primary options for seeing the best of Scotland by train:

(1) Take a round trip around Scotland by train including short bus journeys and/or ferry crossings in north-west Scotland, to bridge the gaps between the railway lines.

(2) Choose a fabulous location, such as Edinburgh , Glasgow or Stirling with easy access to a main station, as a base from which to take multiple day trips by train; check out the guides you'll find below.

The three key advantages of exploring Scotland by train over a series of day trips are:

• Avoiding multiple transfers to overnight accommodation, meaning that…
• You can travel light.
• You'll have the freedom to react to the changing weather.

The Scottish weather is unpredictable, as I discovered some years ago when a series of wet days accompanied a round Scotland circular itinerary. However, if you use one location as a base for your explorations, you can then target the finer days for making the particularly scenic journeys.

(3) Or you could combine these touring and day trip ideas. For example, you could head off from Glasgow to explore the north of Scotland; perhaps by taking advantage of a Grand Tour Ticket , but then ALSO take some day trips from the city.

Scotland is comparatively small, so the longest train journey takes around five hours, but on most routes you'll be spending less than three hours on a train. And those wonderful train journeys often begin and end at fabulous railway stations!

From top left, the beauty of these stations is being showcased: Edinburgh Waverley ; Glasgow Central ; Wemyss Bay x 2; Edinburgh Waverley and Stirling .

The journey guides include access to booking links and information about the trains, tickets and destination stations. Plus for the scenic routes there are insights on how to make the most of the rides on the trains.

Rail passes for seeing Scotland by train:

The exploration of Scotland by train is made easier thanks to ScotRail offering a range of Rover tickets and passes which can be used to hop on and off trains for a set period of time. They can potentially save money even when making a series of day trips, so you don't need to be touring around all of Scotland by train to make good use of them.

You can head all over the country with a Spirit Of Scotland Pass , or use the Highland Rover or Central Scotland Rover to travel in a specific area. Another idea is to use a combination of tickets and passes, so that, for example, you can book tickets to travel by train to and from the area in northern Scotland in which the Highland Rover can be used.

The two key advantages of using the passes are: (1) the potential to save money (2) the freedom to be spontaneous – particularly if you use the passes to head off on day trips.

Making the Most of a Central Scotland Rover from Edinburgh

The Central Scotland Rover is best put to good use by making a series of day trips from Edinburgh to the likes of:

(1) Glasgow - what’s particularly handy is that you can use the pass to travel on the Glasgow Subway to multiple attractions outside the city centre, such as the Kelvingrove gallery and museum , the Rennie Mackintosh Museum , the Tall Ships Museum or the Riverside Museum of Transport .

(2) Stirling Castle by frequent trains and The Falkirk Wheel - take bus route/line 6 from Falkirk Grahamston station, both locations can be easily combined on one day trip.

(3) Taking the beautiful Tweedbank Railway to Galashiels

and/or making the trip to North Berwick to explore its beautiful beaches; again both locations can easily be combined on one day of exploration.

Spirit of Scotland passes live up to their name by allowing for travel across the country , as well as journeys over the border to Berwick-upon-Tweed and Carlisle in England. However, these passes can no longer be used for free travel on the ferry services between the mainland and the islands off of the west coast of Scotland, including Arran, Bute, Mull and Skye.

Furthermore, these tickets can be used on selected longer distance bus routes operated by Scottish City Link, Stagecoach and West Coast Motors, particularly the routes that plug gaps in the Scottish railway network .

A Spirit of Scotland Pass valid for travel on 4 days within an 8 day period = £149 for Adults and £74.50 for children aged 5 - 15. For 8 days of travel within a 15 day period, the charges are £189 for Adults and £94.50 for children aged 5 - 15.

ShowMeTheJourney's has compiled two gorgeous interchangeable itinerary ideas for making the most of special Spirit Of Scotland passes valid for 8 days of travel

The first step to working out whether any of Scotrail’s rover tickets and passes will potentially save you money is to look at these maps.

The Spirit Of Scotland map

The Central Scotland Rover map

The Highland Rover Map

It’s worth taking the time out to do this, because the pass and rover tickets are more likely to save you money if the locations on your wish-list are far apart.

For example, the Highland Rover is designed to save you money if you want to include Glasgow and the Isle Of Skye AND the far north of Scotland, on your adventures. So if one of these locations isn’t on the must see list, then the Highland Rover will be less likely to be a money saver. Though the virtues of the Highland Rover pass are detailed by the writer of this fabulous article .

Spirit Of Scotland Passes vs Tickets:

If you’re considering exploring most of Scotland mainly by train on the 8-day pass, using the Spirit Of Scotland pass will almost certainly be a money saver, even when compared with the cost of booking discounted Advance tickets. Because the additional cost of an 8 day pass compared to a 4 day pass in effect buys you four days of unlimited travel for only £40.

For a 4-day pass, the value for money equation can be tighter, so ShowMeTheJourney carried out a price comparison, for both an itinerary based around day trips AND a round-Scotland itinerary.

(1) Making day trips from Stirling to:

• Bute via Glasgow
• Fort William via Glasgow
• Edinburgh via Dundee and Leuchars The Spirit of Scotland Pass only saved around £5 against the costs of tickets on sale a month in advance. (But it gave the freedom to make last minute decisions on the destination of the day - the cheaper Advance tickets commit the purchasers to specific trains at the time of booking).

(2) On an around Scotland sample itinerary including these four journeys:

• Berwick upon Tweed > Edinburgh > Aberdeen
• Aberdeen > Inverness > Kyle Of Lochalsh > Portree on the Isle of Skye
• Portree on the Isle of Skye > Mallaig > Glasgow
• A day trip to the Isle of Arran from Glasgow. The saving with using the pass was £30, even when compared with booking tickets two months ahead.

Using tickets and seat reservations:

What also impacts on whether using the rovers or Spirit Of Scotland pass will be a money saver, are the types of tickets available on the routes you will be taking. In Scotland the Advance type of tickets which are discounted, if you book ahead of the travel date, are only available on these longer routes :

• Glasgow - Perth - Dundee - Arbroath - Aberdeen
• Edinburgh - Arbroath - Aberdeen
• Glasgow - Perth - Aviemore - Inverness
• Edinburgh - Perth - Aviemore - Inverness
• Glasgow - Oban
• Glasgow - Fort William - Mallaig
• Glasgow - Ayr - Stranraer
• Aberdeen - Inverness
• Inverness - Kyle Of Lochalsh and Wick and Thurso Note that Edinburgh <> Glasgow is not on this list.

To save money by using these tickets you have to commit to taking a specific train on your travel day, so if the weather happens to be poor at the time you will making your trip, you won’t then be able to choose a different train or destination - without paying a £10 admin fee and the price difference with your original booking Which is why in a location with weather as volatile as Scotland’s, the spontaneity that the passes and rovers give you, can be a big plus.

Though something out of the ordinary, which is very much worth being aware of, is that ScotRail doesn't release Advance tickets for sale until 8 weeks ahead of the travel date. However, on the routes on which Advance tickets are available, the more expensive Anytime tickets will be placed on sale up to 3 months ahead. So if you look up a long-distance journey ticket on the ScotRail website more than 8 weeks ahead, you will only see the Anytime tickets.

ScotRail takes Advance tickets off sale at 18:00 (6pm) on the day prior to a travel date.

n common with the rest of the UK, seat reservations are optional, though they are only available on these FIVE routes in Scotland: 1 Glasgow or Edinburgh <> Aberdeen 2. Glasgow or Edinburgh <> Inverness 3. Glasgow <> Oban or Mallaig via Fort William 4. Glasgow or Edinburgh <> the border and to/from Carlisle 5. Glasgow or Edinburgh <> the border and to/from Berwick upon Tweed

When booking Advance tickets for journeys on these routes, specific seats will automatically be assigned, but when booking Off-Peak or Anytime tickets, you will be given an easy option to add a reservation when booking online. Or if when booking Anytime or Off-Peak tickets, you don't yet know which specific train you will want to travel by, you can arrange a seat reservation free of charge later, either at a station, or by calling ScotRail’s Customer Relations team on 0344 811 0141, selecting Option 3. However, reservations at stations need to be arranged a couple of hours prior to departure. These methods of booking reservations also apply if you will be using a rail pass, you can drop in at a ticket office and arrange seat reservations, at no extra charge, or call that number.

When travelling around Scotland by train for fun, if you will be travelling on the many more numerous routes on which the Advance tickets aren’t available, the Off-Peak tickets are comparatively cheap And some great news is that ScotRail has embarked on a trial until June 28th , of abandoning peak travel periods - meaning that the cheaper Off-Peak prices are available on any train all day. This is terrific, because when using Off-Peak Day Return tickets to make day trips, they can be under £2 more expensive than booking single tickets.

Off-Peak Day Return tickets can be used to travel by train from Edinburgh OR from Glasgow to multiple fairly distant destinations including the island of Arran ; Bute ; Balloch for Loch Lomond ; Dundee, Perth and Stirling Castle . Those tickets won't be any more expensive if you buy them at the station right before your journey.

ScotRail also offers deals for when adults travel with children – which can impact on whether using the Spirit of Scotland Pass as a family will be a money saver. Up to four children aged 15 and under can travel off-peak for just £1 return each with an adult (aged 16 and over ) ticket holder - and until June 28th all ScotRail journeys are Off-Peak ! The ' Kids For A Quid ' offer also applies when booking Advance tickets on the long-distance routes. There's no need to book the offer ahead of travel, so if an Adult buys an Advance ticket ahead of the travel date, to save money - the ticket can then be presented at a station ticket office just before boarding, or shown to a conductor on the train, and the offer can then be purchased.

And at many attractions in Scotland, including Edinburgh Zoo, the RSS Discovery and Deep Sea World, one child travelling with the Kids For A Quid offer, can gain free entry !

An adult can take up to two dogs on any train and no tickets are required.

Bike tickets aren't required on Scottish rail journeys.

However, when travelling on these routes:

• Inverness - Kyle Of Lochalsh and Wick and Thurso bikes can only be stored in assigned areas on the train, which must be reserved in advance of travel.

Reservations can only be made for up to 4 cycles at any one time and they can be arranged, by;

• adding bikes when booking your journey on the ScotRail website
• Call the ScotRail telesales team on 0344 811 0141, available Monday – Sunday between 7am – 10pm
• at a ticket office, ideally ahead of the travel date. There is no charge for making the reservations.

On the trains on other ScotRail routes, the travelling with bicycles policy is that bikes must be placed in the designated spaces on the trains, but they are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

It has never been easier to travel to Scotland by train because a record-breaking number of trains now cross the Anglo-Scottish border in some of Europe's most spectacular railway journeys.

On the West Coast route

and on the East Coast route

In the past two years new additions to the train timetables have:

• Provided direct trains from Liverpool to Glasgow.
• Doubled the number of trains between Leeds and Edinburgh.
• More than doubled the number of trains between Manchester and Edinburgh.
• Provided for two trains per hour throughout the day from London Kings Cross to Edinburgh no other European railway route of this length has such a frequent service!

And brand new trains are now operating on all of those routes, plus on the established service between Manchester and Glasgow.

The Pendolino trains which provide the hourly train service from London Euston to Glasgow and the hourly services from Birmingham to either Edinburgh or Glasgow are also being refurbished.

Brand new trains have also revolutionised the Caledonian Sleeper overnight services between London and Scotland.

This second version of ShowMeTheJourney is exciting and new, so we are genuinely thrilled that you are here and reading this, but we also need your help. We’re striving not to let anything get in the way of providing the most useful service possible, hence a facility has been set up with DonorBox which can be used to support the running costs and make improvements.

Instead of advertising or paywalls, your financial support will make a positive difference to delivering an enhanced service, as there’s a lot of ideas which we want to make happen.

So if you have found the info provided here to be useful, please go here to say thank you .

Simon Harper

I wanted to share my passion for train travel and explain how anyone can take the fantastic journeys I have taken.

This is one of more than 100 train travel guides available on ShowMeTheJourney , which will make it easier to take the train journeys you want or need to make. As always, all images were captured on trips taken by ShowMeTheJourney.

Help keep us advertising and paywall free!

This second version of ShowMeTheJourney is exciting and new, so we are genuinely thrilled that you are here and reading this, but we also need your help.

We’re striving not to let anything get in the way of providing the most useful service possible, hence a facility has been set up with DonorBox which can be used to support the running costs and make improvements.

So if you have found the info provided here to be useful, please consider saying thank you.

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One-week scenic Scotland by train itinerary

Posted on Last updated: February 15, 2024

Explore Scotland by train in just one week on this Scottish rail itinerary featuring castles, lochs and mountains as you travel from Edinburgh and Glasgow to the Highlands and Isle of Skye.

* This site contains affiliate links , where I get a small commission from purchases at no extra cost to you.

Travel across Scotland by train from the lowlands to the highlands, with historic cities, ruined castles, deep blue lochs, mountain peaks and wild moorland along the way. This one-week railway journey takes you from the cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow and heads north into the Scottish Highlands, crossing to the magical Isle of Skye before finishing in Inverness – and includes two of the UK’s most spectacular rail routes.

The Scenic Scotland by train one-week itinerary will show you which trains to take, how much they cost, how to book and what to see, do and where to stay along the way.

Day 1: Edinburgh

Start your Scotland by train trip with a full day in Edinburgh. Visit the historic highlights of the Old Town – listen to bagpipers on the cobbled streets of the Royal Mile, learn about Scotland’s history at the National Museum of Scotland, hear the One O’clock Gun being fired at Edinburgh Castle, take a tour of the Queen’s Scottish residence the Palace of Holyroodhouse, or follow in the footsteps of Harry Potter on Victoria Street.

Alternatively head across to the wide Georgian streets of the New Town to admire the artworks at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, climb to the top of the Scott Monument, wander along the leafy Water of Leith or watch the sun set from Calton Hill.

Or why not check out some of Edinburgh’s more unusual attractions ? You can go underground to the buried streets of Mary King’s Close , visit the gory Surgeons’ Hall Museum (if you’re not too squeamish) or take an evening ghost tour.

Edinburgh’s an unexpected gem for foodies, with a range of food and drink tours where you can try local delicacies – from handmade chocolates and Scottish cheeses to whisky tasting at the Scotch Whisky Experience * and distillery tours at Edinburgh Gin.

Where to stay in Edinburgh: Splash out on a stay on the Royal Mile at the gloriously over-the-top Witchery by the Castle *. This 16th-century Gothic hotel has nine suites with four-poster beds and rolltop baths, eclectically decorated with antiques, artworks, gilt and velvet. It’s full of old-school glamour, with one of the city’s most romantic restaurants.

Read more: A weekend in Edinburgh: 2-day Edinburgh itinerary

Day 2: Edinburgh > Glasgow

Next morning, catch a train from Edinburgh Waverley to Glasgow Central/Queen Street (a short walk from each other). The journey only takes an hour and trains run frequently, so you can decide how early you want to leave. Then spend the rest of the day in Glasgow.

Where Edinburgh is all about history, Scotland’s second city has a bit more of an edge, and has transformed itself from an industrial centre to a city of art and culture. Admire the Art Nouveau designs of Glasgow’s famous son Charles Rennie Mackintosh at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum or over afternoon tea at the Willow Tea Rooms.

Or explore some of the city’s more contemporary artworks on the City Centre Mural Trail , a self-guided walk through Glasgow which links 25 works by different local artists.

Take a walk along the River Clyde past the modern architecture of the SSE Hydro and Armadillo to the quirky Riverside transport museum, where you can take a tour of the Glenlee , a restored tall ship that’s one of just a few built on the Clyde that are still afloat.

Or visit Scotland’s oldest museum, the Hunterian, on the campus of the University of Glasgow, and explore the city’s medieval cathedral and atmospheric hillside Necropolis.

Where to stay in Glasgow: The Grasshopper Hotel * couldn’t be better located for train travellers – right next door to Glasgow Central Station, close to Merchant City’s shops, bars and restaurants. Rooms are smart and comfortable, with penthouse views over the city and special touches like handmade wallpapers, vintage cameras and free cupcakes.

Read more: A weekend in Glasgow: A 48-hour Glasgow itinerary

Day 3: Glasgow > Fort William

Then head north on the 3 hour 45 minute journey to Fort William in the Scottish Highlands, departing Glasgow Queen Street at 08.21 and arriving in Fort William at 12.08.

The West Highland Line is one of the world’s most scenic train trips, which runs along the banks of Loch Lomond, around Horseshoe Curve at Ben Dorain, past the UK’s highest altitude train station in Corrour (as featured in the film Trainspotting ) and across remote Rannoch Moor on a line suspended above a peat bog.

Fort William is set on the banks of Loch Linnhe in the shadow of the UK’s highest mountain – Ben Nevis – making the town a real hub for hikers, bikers and other adventure-seekers. The climb to the top of Ben Nevis takes five–seven hours, weather permitting, so you might have to add in an extra day to your trip if you want to tackle the peak.

If you fancy something more sedate, it’s a pretty 1.5-mile walk along the River Lochy to the ruins of 13th-century Old Inverlochy Castle and the Ben Nevis Distillery, where you can do a tour and tasting of their whiskies. You can also learn more about the history of the Highlands (and see Rob Roy’s sporran) at Fort William’s West Highland Museum.

Where to stay in Fort William: Spend the night behind bars in former police station The Garrison * in the centre of town. Choose from a modern en-suite room, or an original cell that’s been converted into compact double or bunk room with shared bathroom.

Read more: 13 things to do in Fort William and Glencoe

Day 4: Fort William > Isle of Skye

The following day, reboard the West Highland Line for the 1.5-hour journey from Fort William to Mallaig across the curving Glenfinnan Viaduct and past lochs and the sandy beaches of Morar. If you depart Fort William at 08.15 you arrive in Mallaig at 09.38.

Or from April–October you can also ride the Jacobite steam train , better known as the Hogwarts Express (departs Fort William at 10.15 and arrives Mallaig at 12.26).

Then swap the train for the ferry to the Isle of Skye. Ferry times vary throughout the year, with 8–10 sailings a day in summer. If you have time for lunch before you sail, try locally caught prawns or fish and chips at Mallaig’s Fishmarket Restaurant.

The ferry from Mallaig takes 45 minutes to reach Armadale in Skye. From Armadale you can catch the 52 bus to Portree (changing in Broadford), but buses are slow and infrequent so it may be worth taking a taxi if there are a group of you – it takes an hour and costs around £90–£100, but you do need to book taxis well in advance.

Portree is the capital and largest town on the Isle of Skye, set around a picturesque harbour with pastel-painted houses and surrounded by hills. It’s the hub of transport and tours for the island, and a good place to shop for souvenirs, with local producers including the Isle of Skye Soap Co, Skyeskyns and Isle of Skye Distillers all having shops in town.

Where to stay in Portree: The Cuillin Hills Hotel * is half a mile outside of Portree but comes with knockout views across the Bay of Portree to the Cuillin Mountains from its 15-acre gardens. Inside are traditional Scottish touches, from tartan fabrics to local seafood in the restaurant and a malt whisky bar with over 130 varieties to choose from.

Read more: Isle of Skye itinerary: The best of the island in 3 days

Day 5: Isle of Skye

Today you have the whole day to explore the Isle of Skye – buses connect Portree with many parts of the island, but it’s easier option to either hire a car for the day (book in advance as availability’s limited) or take a guided day tour of Skye’s highlights. A small group day tour * (£80 per person) departs Portree at 9am and returns at 6pm.

The Isle of Skye is known for its magical landscapes, with dramatic rock formations around the Quiraing which look like something from another planet (and are a film location favourite). Admire the 200-foot Old Man of Storr and the steep cliffs at Kilt Rock.

Visit the lighthouse at Neist Point and look out for dolphins and whales, or tour imposing lochside Dunvegan Castle, the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland.

Skye has plenty of myths and legends – get away with the fairies at the Fairy Glen, a grassy glen with rock spirals and ancient trees dripping with moss. Or follow the 1.5-mile path to the Fairy Pools with their clear green waters and cascading waterfalls.

Day 6: Isle of Skye > Inverness

The next day, catch the CityLink bus from Portree to Kyle of Lochalsh, where you pick up the train for the journey to Inverness. There are a couple of different options – the number 915 bus from Portree Square departs at 10.35 and arrives in Kyle at 11.36.

Or if you’d like to visit nearby Eilean Donan Castle, catch the earlier 07.30 bus from Portree to Dornie, arriving at 08.48. Spend a few hours at the castle before travelling back to Kyle of Lochalsh on the 11.44 service (which takes around 15 minutes).

Then catch the 13.46 train from Kyle of Lochalsh for the 2 hour 40 minute journey to Inverness, arriving at 16.27. The Kyle Line is another of the UK’s top scenic train routes. Opened in 1870, it runs through remote landscapes, following the coast with views of Syke, across moorland and past the Torridon Peaks – keep an eye out for deer on the way.

Spend the evening in Inverness – capital of the Highlands. Follow the path along the River Ness to the Ness Islands, a group of tree-covered islands connected by elegant Victorian footbridges. Or head up to Inverness Castle to watch the sun set over the city, before checking out some of Inverness’ live music scene at pubs like Hootananny.

Where to stay in Inverness: End your trip in style with a night at the five-star Rocpool Reserve *. This Georgian house has been converted into a lavish boutique hotel with bar and restaurant. Its luxurious rooms come with Egyptian cotton bedding, emperor-size beds and 24-hour room service – and some have outdoor hot tubs, saunas or balconies.

Read more: A weekend in Inverness: A 48-hour Inverness itinerary

Day 7: Inverness

Spend the final morning of your Scotland by train trip seeing more of Inverness. Learn about the history and culture of the Highlands at the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery and shop for secondhand books at Leakley’s. Or if you have time you can take a half-day trip out to either Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle , or the battlefield at Culloden.

Then if you’re flying back home, Inverness Airport is 10 miles north of the city. The two are connected by the 11 bus, which takes around 35 minutes. Or if you’re travelling back to Edinburgh, the train journey from Inverness takes 3.5 hours. There’s also the Caledonian Sleeper overnight train which connect Inverness to London in around 11 hours.

If you have more time, you could head north to John O-Groats – most northerly point of mainland Britain – Caithness and the Cromarty Firth on a day tour * from Inverness. Or catch the train south to Aviemore in the Cairngorms National Park for mountain hikes in summer, skiing in winter and the Strathspey Steam Railway. There are also plenty more Scottish cities to discover nearby, including Dundee, Aberdeen and St Andrews .

How much does it cost?

When you’re planning a Scottish rail trip, you can either book individual tickets or get a railpass, which can be a better deal if you’re under 28/over 60, want more flexibility or are booking late. Here’s how prices break down for the two different options on this route.

Individual tickets

Ticket prices depend on how early you book and if you’re booking a specific train or want to be flexible. There are three main fare categories: Advance, Off-Peak or Anytime. Advance are cheapest and can be booked 8–12 weeks in advance, but are non-transferable so you’re tied to a specific train. Off-Peak services are valid on any train outside weekday peak hours. And Anytime are most expensive but can be bought on the day and used on any train.

Using the cheapest Advance fares, the cost of trains on this route starts at £69 per person:

• Edinburgh > Glasgow: from £14.70
• Glasgow > Fort William: from £26.60
• Fort William > Mallaig: from £8.20 (£65 for The Jacobite )
• Mallaig > Armadale (by ferry): from £3.20
• Kyle of Lochalsh > Inverness: from £15.90

You can also save a third on all rail fares with a Railcard *. These cost £30 with different versions for 16–25s, 25–30s, Seniors and Disabled People. You can also get a Two Together railcard for two named adults travelling together, or a Friends and Family Railcard for up to four adults and four children. Both UK and overseas residents are eligible.

The railpass option

There are various rail passes available, and which you’re eligible for depends on where you live. If you live outside the UK, you can can get a InterRail/Eurail pass (InterRail is for European residents and Eurail is for non-European residents).

For the Scotland by train itinerary, the best InterRail / Eurail option is the One Country Great Britain pass for 4 travel days within 1 month , which costs £199 for adults, £167 for youths aged 12–27 or £179 for seniors in second class.

ScotRail also offers its own rail passes, which are available to both UK and overseas residents. The best option for this itinerary is the Spirit of Scotland Pass for 4 days within 8 days , with unlimited travel by train, ferry and coach. It costs £149 for adults and is half price for children aged 5–15, with discounts for Railcard holders.

Passholders are recommended to make seat reservations – though it’s probably only worth doing for long-distance services or at busy peak times so you’re guaranteed a seat – which you can do for free at any UK train station up to two hours before departure.

Please note The Jacobite steam train is privately owned so isn’t covered by any rail passes.

How to book

There are a variety of websites where you can book UK train journeys, but some charge a booking fee. To avoid fees you can book direct with ScotRail and either use a mobile ticket on your phone or collect them from a ticket machine or a counter at the station. Or if you have an international credit card you can book with The Trainline for a small fee.

Don’t want to do it yourself? You can also book a custom trip based on this Scenic Scotland by train itinerary through our partners Byway ,* the flight-free holiday platform, which includes transport and accommodation.

Love Edinburgh?

My new book , Auld and New in Edinburgh , is available to order now. Part of the Curious Travel Guides series, this curated guide features over 100 amazing places to eat, drink, shop and sightsee to help you plan the perfect Edinburgh trip.

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Sunday 21st of January 2024

Hi Lucy, Thanks a lot for this itinerary, looks great. We are actually planning a week in Scotland in May. We are not really interested in Glasgow and we were thinking about making our first stop after Edinburgh at Tarbet (have a cruise on the Loch and walk around) Can you let me know your opinion and any suggestion ? Thanks a lot. Serge

Lucy Dodsworth

Monday 22nd of January 2024

Hi Serge, yes you could definitely swap that in. It's 2.5 hours by train from Edinburgh to Arrochar and Tarbet (with a change in Glasgow), so if you took a morning train on Day 2 you could do a boat trip in the afternoon and stay the night there, then catch the train to Fort William the next day which is 2.5 hours and carry on the itinerary from there.

Monday 15th of January 2024

Great itinerary! I am considering taking the train from Glasgow to Mallaig, ferry to Armadale and bus to Portlee in one day next month. How do the buses run from Armadale to Portlee this time of year? Are there tours of Skye running in February? I'm planning on a three day stay in Portlee. Any suggestions?

Hi Tim, there are buses Stagcoach 52 buses between Armadale and Portree but they're not very frequent this time of year to you would need to time it carefully (timetable here: https://tiscon-maps-stagecoachbus.s3.amazonaws.com/Timetables/North%20Scotland/Highlands/Skye%20Revised%202022.pdf). You would probably need to take a private tour in February – try Real Scottish Journeys who do winter tours.

Sunday 7th of January 2024

Hi, Great itinerary. Would like to go Glasgow to Oban, Oban to Fort William. What is the best way Oban to Fort William. Additionally, recommend a stop between Inverness and Edinburgh. Thanks

Sunday 4th of February 2024

@Karen, Thank you Lucy for your insight. Any thoughts on the Spirit of Scotland pass? In short,we are two seniors traveling, Edinburgh to Glasgow,train, to Oban,train,to Ft. William,bus,to Skye,train,taxi to Dorrie,bus,Kyle of Lock to Inverness,train, Inverness to Edinburgh,train. In April. I tried to add up separate fares,still confusing.Need flexibility in case of changes.Also, is it advisable to reserve a seat on the Ft. William to Mallaig , ferry section. Would appreciate your guidance

Hi, Oban to Fort William is slow by train (4 hours) but you can take the West Coast Motors 918 bus instead which is less than two hours. It does only run a couple of times a day though (https://passenger-line-assets.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/westcoastmotors/WCMO/918-timetable-20220815-14e38acb.pdf). Between Inverness and Edinburgh you could stop off in Aviemore to see the Cairngorms, or do a short diversion to Leuchars to visit St Andrews which is a lovely city.

Saturday 6th of January 2024

Thank you for your helpful ideas. We will be touring Scotland by train in late April using a very similar itinerary. We plan to purchase the Spirit of Scotland Rail pass. Once I purchase that, am I able to reserve seats for the various legs of the train journey? We live in the US, so I need to do everything I can online. On the Scotrail website, it looks like I need to buy individual tickets in order to get a seat reservation online. If we can't make seat reservations, do we just arrive early to help guarantee we get on the desired train? Thank you for any insight on reserving seats with the Spirit of Scotland Rail pass!

Hi, you don't need to make seat reservations with the Spirit of Scotland pass, and a lot of trains don't take reservations. The ones that do on this route are Glasgow > Fort William and Inverness > Edinburgh – you can't reserve online using the pass but you can do it at stations, so could make reservations when you first get to Scotland, or call 0344 811 0141 when you arrive in the UK.

Friday 29th of December 2023

I am planning a trip from May 4-13. For now, I have a couple nights in Edinburgh, one in Glasgow, and one in Fort William.

Here are some concerns and questions I have: I booked the Jacobite on Thursday. It’s a return—so it’ll go from Fort William to Mallaig, and the back. I’m a little worried about how to get from Armadale to Portree without a vehicle. Should I just take the return train to Fort William and try to go to Iverness?

I’ve never been and we are trying to avoid renting a vehicle if possible.

Also, for the other train trips, other than Jacobite, should I try to book trains in advance?

I’m just worried and I don’t want to get stuck. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Thursday 4th of January 2024

@Lucy Dodsworth, Do you know if there are buses that run from Fort William to Inverness daily?

Saturday 30th of December 2023

Hi Maggie, for the Jacobite you have to buy a return ticket but you can get off at Mallaig and not go back to Fort William. For the journey from Armadale to Portree, I'd advise pre-booking a taxi if you're not keen on relying on the buses (Fort William to Inverness isn't really advisable by train – you have to go all the way back to Glasgow so it takes 8+ hours!). You shouldn't need to book the other trains in advance but you can do if you want to be sure of a seat – they can be booked via Scotrail normally 2-3 months in advance. Hope you have a great trip!

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Train & Rail Tours in Scotland

Relax and admire breathtaking views in Scotland only accessible by train journey. With 5 Scotland train tours lasting from 2 days up to 8 days, you're sure to find a railway carriage with your name on it on a route that will leave you speechless.

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Highlights of Scotland

Loch Ness, the Jacobite and Skye Guided Rail Tour

The tour guide Andrew was so knowledgeable !! He took care of us and made sure everyone was comfortable at all times! The coach driver Karen was a fantastic driver with a great sense of humor! The two were perfectly paired! Enjoyed the hotels and meals immensely! The rooms were all great and hotel on Isle of Skye was in the best location overlooking the water...fabulous tour!!! Would have liked one night in Edinburg.

Jacobite Steam Train & The Great Glen

We had a fabulous time on the Jacobite tour. Our rep was Greig and is an excellent ambassador for your company. He was very welcoming and informative about things to look at and the history. This made our trip all the more enjoyable

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

North Highlands & Orkney Guided Rail Tour

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Edinburgh, Loch Ness and Highlands by train

It was a very good experience. The staff was very friendly and well organised. On my way back to London I started to look for my next trip. And I think I already found it!

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Luxury Train Journeys in Scotland

Luxury train journeys & trips across Scotland

The best way to explore Scotland’s exceptional scenery is by rail, and a Scottish luxury train journey from LuxuryTrainTickets.com is the ideal way of experiencing pure luxury while doing so. With a generous range of tours available, whether you are seeking adventure among the magical highlands or wish to simply relax and watch as the graceful countryside glides past, we have the perfect journey for you. Step aboard the Royal Scotsman and experience a palace on wheels. Nothing short of extraordinary, the Royal Scotsman is the definition of what a luxury locomotive should be; timeless, elegant, refined and ultimately unrivalled in every aspect. A famous train with a history to match, the Royal Scotsman will transverse you in style and pure comfort as you experience the highlights of the highlands. Our journeys have been designed to offer you the very best Scotland and the Royal Scotsman has to offer. Browse our offerings below, or for something truly exquisite, get in touch with our complimentary concierge service who will exceed your expectations and find you a journey of a lifetime.

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Train strikes in May 2024: Full list of dates and lines affected

Rail lines are set for disruption in the week following the first May bank holiday as train drivers at 16 rail companies strike on different days.

Thursday 25 April 2024 10:29, UK

Train drivers will stage a fresh wave of strikes and overtime bans in May, causing disruption to the rail network.

The strikes are part of a long-running dispute over pay.

Members of Aslef union at 16 rail companies will walk out on different days from 7 to 9 May.

Additionally, all members will refuse to work any overtime from 6 May to 11 May.

Here is a full list of the services affected by strikes and when.

Rail strike dates

Tuesday 7 May

Strikes will affect c2c, Greater Anglia, GTR Great Northern Thameslink, Southeastern, Southern, Gatwick Express and South Western Railway.

Wednesday 8 May

Strikes will affect Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, Great Western Railway and West Midlands Trains.

Thursday 9 May

Strikes will affect LNER, Northern Trains and TransPennine Express.

Overtime ban dates

From Monday 6 May to Saturday 11 May union members will not work overtime.

Overtime bans, an action short of a strike, means some services may not be running or may be reduced as drivers refuse to work their rest days.

People are advised to check before they travel, as some areas may have no service.

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

How do strikes and overtime bans affect services?

Strikes tend to mean services on lines where members are participating are extremely affected or cancelled entirely, whereas overtime bans often lead to reduced services.

Are there strikes on the Tube too?

There have been regular strikes on London Underground too recently, and while there aren't any planned walkouts for drivers, customer service managers are set to walk out on Friday 26 April in a dispute over terms and conditions.

There will also be an overtime ban for the customer service managers on the following days:

Monday 29 April

Tuesday 30 April

Wednesday 1 May

Tuesday 2 May

Wednesday 3 May

Thursday 4 May

Friday 5 May

The Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA) says the action by its members is likely to cause Tube stations to close at the last minute, including on the Saturday following the strike (27 April), while TfL has said on its website "some stations may need to close at short notice".

Despite the warning, a TfL spokesperson has said they aren't expecting significant disruption.

This action follows strike action taken by the same workers on 10 April, which the TSSA said had a "real impact" with "many stations shut at short notice".

They say they are "extremely concerned" about TfL's 'Stations Changes' proposals.

"We have made it clear that our union will not accept the continued threats to our members' roles, locations, terms, and conditions to stand unchallenged," a TSSA spokesperson said.

"We will continue to take sustained action until London Underground is prepared to negotiate with us in good faith."

Commenting on the impending strikes, a TfL spokesperson said: "We are disappointed that TSSA is continuing with this strike action following a consultation process.

"While we don't expect this action will cause significant disruption, we urge TSSA to continue to work with us to help find a resolution.

"There are no planned job losses as part of these vital changes which will improve the service we provide to customers at our stations."

How can I stay in the loop?

You can use the National Rail's journey planner to see when trains are running.

Be sure to check it close to when you plan to travel, as it will be updated regularly.

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Install the Sky News app for free

Why are the strikes still happening?

Aslef rejected a two-year offer of 4% in 2022 and another 4% this year, saying it is way below inflation, and is linked to changes in terms and conditions.

Aslef said train drivers have not had an increase in salary for five years, since their last pay deals expired in 2019.

The union said after its members voted overwhelmingly in February to continue taking industrial action, it asked the train operating companies to hold talks.

General secretary Mick Whelan said the year-old pay offer of 4% and another 4% was "dead in the water".

Related Topics

• London Underground
• Rail strikes

Review: Wheelchair Accessible Caledonian Sleeper Train (London to Glasgow)

• by John Morris
• April 26, 2024

The Caledonian Sleeper is a long-distance sleeper train that operates daily (except on Saturdays) between Euston Station in London, England and five stations in Scotland — Glasgow Central, Edinburgh Waverley, Fort William, Aberdeen and Inverness. It is one of only two overnight services in the United Kingdom, and provides both standard seating and private cabins with beds.

During my recent trip to the UK, I reserved a wheelchair accessible cabin on the Caledonian Sleeper from London to Glasgow, as it provided a cost-effective way to travel between the two cities, while eliminating the need for one night in a hotel.

Booking a Wheelchair Accessible Ride on the Caledonian Sleeper Train

The Caledonian Sleeper’s Mark 5 coaches feature two types of accessible accommodation — one cabin with a double bed, and another with a bunk bed (two single/twin-sized beds). Since I was traveling alone and without a carer, I opted for the double bed.

Accessible cabins can be booked directly from the Caledonian Sleeper website , with a toggle to display accessible seating options. On the date of my travel, fares were priced at £205 GBP (about $256 USD) for a private cabin, or £50 GBP (about $63 USD) for a seat and wheelchair space in the standard coach.

The website also provides a fare calendar to compare pricing, and I found that my date of departure offered the lowest fare during the month of April. Other dates showed fares of £225, £240, or £250 GBP. I was happy to have secured a good deal and completed my booking.

Though 200 pounds may seem like an expensive fare, it’s important to consider the cost (and hassle) of alternate transportation options between London and Glasgow, as well as the cost of overnight accommodation in a hotel. I definitely saved money booking a cabin on the Caledonian Sleeper, and didn’t have to deal with airport security, baggage charges, or being separated from my wheelchair!

Boarding and Departure

Passengers departing on the Caledonian Sleeper train to Glasgow are invited to board the train as early as 10:15 p.m., with the service scheduled to depart from Euston Station at 11:45 p.m. This offers guests plenty of time to embark and settle in, as well as to get a head start on sleep if desired.

Although customers who have booked a private cabin have access to a lounge with light refreshments at Euston Station, I arrived close to departure (a few minutes after 11 p.m.), and decided to head straight to the train. The conductor scanned my mobile ticket and fetched a boarding ramp to assist me onto the train. The boarding process was quick, hassle-free, and I was shown to my wheelchair accessible cabin.

Wheelchair Accessible Cabin on the Caledonian Sleeper Train

Immediately after boarding car J, I turned to the left and noticed two large doors: one leading to an accessible shared bathroom, and the second leading to my wheelchair accessible cabin.

The cabin attendant presented me with a plastic key card, making it seem as though I had just checked-in to a hotel. Indeed, the Caledonian Sleeper has been called a “hotel on wheels” and, with a tap of the key card, the door to the Caledonian Sleeper’s accessible cabin opened to reveal a fantastic accommodation.

My cabin, numbered J1, was easily accessible via the wide (and automatic) sliding door. The accessible cabin, like the standard cabins behind it, takes up the majority of the train car’s width, which provided plenty of space to maneuver and park my power wheelchair.

The accessible cabin features a wash basin and mirror, perfect for freshening up before bed, as well as a table for work or dining. The large window had a shade, which I drew down to prepare for a restful night’s sleep.

The double bed was comfortable, made up with a lovely duvet and outfitted with four pillows. Though any train ride will leave riders bouncing up and down and swaying back and forth, I had no difficulty sleeping — the bed was a comfortable and welcomer sight after a long day or air travel and meetings in London.

Controls for the cabin lighting are located on a panel over the bed, and there are multiple power outlets and USB ports spread throughout the cabin. Unfortunately, I multiple warnings after booking that stated the power outlets are NOT designed for charging wheelchairs or other medical equipment, and are in fact only available for charging tablets, laptops and mobile phones.

Beneath the bed, I found open space suitable for storing bags, but believe it was also large enough to accommodate the use of a transfer hoist.

Wheelchair Accessible Bathroom on the Caledonian Sleeper Train

Although standard cabins on the train provide an en suite toilet and shower, wheelchair accessible cabins do not, and I was left to use the shared toilet adjacent to my cabin. I believe that I was the only passenger using this toilet, though it could theoretically be used by any passenger on the train.

The accessible bathroom was designed wonderfully, with space to turn about in a wheelchair, and also to park directly alongside the toilet for a safe transfer. Grab bars on both sides of the toilet made it easy and safe to use, and the bathroom sink was a roll under one. The Caledonian Sleeper train had one of the most accessible train lavatories I have reviewed, and I was happy to have it located so close to my cabin!

Caledonian Sleeper Amenities and Dining

Upon entry to my cabin, I was greeted with two chocolate bars on the bed, as well as a sleep kit with eye shades and earplugs.

Passengers in the Club Car and accessible sleeper cabins receive complimentary breakfast, either served in the dining car (which is partially accessible and located in the adjacent car K) or delivered to the cabin. Given my long travel from the United States to London the day before, and my plans for a busy day in Glasgow on arrival, I needed to prioritize sleep and opted for room service.

The options for breakfast delivered to the cabin included a Scottish Porridge Pot, Granola Yoghurt, Bacon or Sausage Roll, and a Vegan Roll. More substantial options were available in the dining car, including a traditional Scottish breakfast, a smoked fish frittata, and a traditional vegan breakfast. I opted for the sausage roll, with orange juice and coffee, but I soon regretted not visiting the dining car for the larger breakfast (it wasn’t very filling!).

Final Thoughts

Too few sleeper trains around the world offer a sufficient level of accessibility for travelers with disabilities, but the Caledonian Sleeper train really stands out for its thoughtfully designed wheelchair accessible cabins.

The Caledonian Sleeper train offers disabled and nondisabled people alike a unique travel experience that is comfortable, accessible and convenient. In my view, there is no better way to travel between England and Scotland, especially for wheelchair users, and I hope to experience many more rides aboard the Caledonian Sleeper in the future.

John Morris

Follow along as I travel the world with one hand, a passport and my power wheelchair!

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This Is How The Other Half Travel. And How You Can Too

Posted: September 29, 2023 | Last updated: November 29, 2023

Top track trips

Long-distance rail journeys are making a comeback. Not only are they among the most eco-friendly modes of transport, many include the best 5-star dining and luxurious sleeper cabins that would rival the finest hotel rooms. From cinematic journeys through the Andes to ultra-modern trains in Japan and magical winter scenes on the Orient Express, here’s our pick of the world’s best sleeper trains where you’ll embrace the journey as much as the destination.

Royal Scotsman, Scotland, UK

With polished mahogany-clad cars and Edwardian-inspired decor, the Royal Scotsman is among the UK’s most luxurious sleeper trains. With routes ranging from two to seven nights, this ‘palace on wheels’ journeys through some of the most majestic Highland scenery, taking in historic castles, monuments, lochs and glens. Most trips also include day excursions to top sights such as the Strathisla Distillery and Rothiemurchus Estate.

Those lucky enough to stay on this legendary sleeper train enjoy luxurious marquetry-lined suites, with fully equipped en suites and large windows to admire the view. You won’t forget you’re on Scottish soil with traditional tartan wool blankets, tweed furnishings and traditional entertainment including live ceilidhs, paired with the best local whisky. What makes the Royal Scotsman extra special is the onboard spa, offering a wide range of all-natural therapies, using luxurious Bamford products.

These are the most scenic rail journeys in Scotland

The Ghan Expedition, Australia

Journeying from Adelaide to Darwin, this epic 1,851-mile-long (2,979km) sojourn takes you through the remote heart of Australia, soaking up the spectacular sights of Katherine, Coober Pedy mining township, Nitmiluk Gorge and Alice Springs. During day excursions, there’s the option to upgrade your trip with scenic flights to Uluru and enjoy a dinner under the stars at the historic Alice Springs Telegraph Station.

Originally known as the Afghan Express, The Ghan  has a long history dating back to pioneering cameleers who journeyed into Australia’s Red Centre some 150 years ago. Sleeper carriages come with Australian-made toiletries and beds are made up by staff while you enjoy local dishes in one of three dining carriages. The most luxurious, the Chairman’s Carriage, comes with quartzite tabletops, brass fittings and leather banquette seating.

Eastern and Oriental Express, Thailand to Singapore

Inspired by the 1930s Marlene Dietrich film  Shanghai Express , this legendary sleeper train transports guests back to the golden era of rail travel. Journeying through Southeast Asia, these green and gold carriages take passengers on a two- or three-night trip between the big hitting cities of Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, with many journeys including a guided cultural tour or cruise along the River Kwai en route.

Inside, the cherrywood paneling, traditional Thai silks and elaborate marquetry add to the luxury feel and private cabins are turned into sleeping quarters at night. The Presidential Cabin has a complimentary minibar and en suite shower room and the restaurant car offers Michelin-worthy cuisine which includes luxurious takes on Asian breakfast dishes, such as fried eggs with fresh crab and omelet with goose liver wonton. A 24-hour steward service runs throughout.

Andean Explorer, Peru

Offering what’s arguably one of the most picturesque overnight train journeys you’ll ever take, the midnight blue Andean Explorer takes you through the enigmatic Andean mountains, treating you to the top natural and manmade sights of Peru. The one- or two-night journey begins in the former ancient Incan capital of Cusco and ends in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Arequipa, taking in epic sights such as Lake Titicaca and Colca Canyon on the way.

As guests marvel at panoramas of the Peruvian highlands, luxury comes in the way of linen-covered walls, Peruvian-inspired furnishings and alpaca wool textures. Cabins come with creature comforts such as robes and slippers while in-built oxygen means passengers won’t feel wobbly in high altitude areas. The train’s dining carriages, Llama and Muña, serve high-end Peruvian cuisine and South American wines. The Piano Bar and Observation Bar Car specialize in luxurious Pisco Sours and epic views.

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, UK to Italy

With an aim to evoke a sense of romance and grandeur, the lovingly restored  Venice Simplon-Orient-Express  makes passengers feel like royalty. Connecting London and Verona via Paris, it’s a chance to see rolling Italian countryside and iconic European cities. In 2022, the Orient Express extended its schedule into December (typically it only ran between March and November), making it possible for travelers to enjoy Europe's most beautiful winter landscapes and Christmas markets. 

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There are six Grand Suites on the train and each one is decked out in intricately designed interiors inspired by the city they are named after (Vienna, Prague, Paris, Istanbul, Venice and Budapest). Expect geometric details, delicate light fixtures, polished cherrywood marquetry and marble en suite bathrooms. Michelin-starred food (including Brittany lobsters and salt marsh lamb from Mont St Michel) is served from three dining cars. There’s also a 24-hour butler onboard.

The Maharajas’ Express, India

Taking its moniker from the name for an Indian prince, this 5-star train , which connects the metropoles of Mumbai and Delhi, is unapologetically lavish, adorned with rich tapestries, antiques and over-the-top decor inspired by Indian royalty. Trips vary in length, between three and six nights, but the popular six-day ‘Heritage of India’ tour stretches between some of the country’s most iconic, and interesting cities, including Udaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Jaipur and Agra, with highlights such as a Champagne breakfast beside the iconic Taj Mahal.

The 14 guest carriages, individually named after precious gems, have their own private butlers and come with en suite bathrooms and large windows. The 220-square-foot (20.4sqm) suites have a bathtub and the 448-square-foot (41.6sqm) Presidential Suite has a living room with two bedrooms and washrooms. The Maharajas’ Express has two fine dining cars to choose from (one with a frescoed ceiling) as well as The Rajah Club lounge and themed Safari Bar.

See more incredible facts about the world's trains

The Blue Train, South Africa

Taking passengers back to the heyday of the 1920s, The Blue Train is steeped in nostalgia, with many kings and presidents having joined its illustrious guest list. This hotel on wheels takes guests on a two-day route between Cape Town and Pretoria (one that’s been traversed for decades) and new destinations have been added in recent years, including the iconic Victoria Falls, famed Garden Route and Kruger National Park where guests can take safari excursions.

These are America's most beautiful train journeys

The train has two lounges – which includes a gentleman’s club-style cigar room – decorated in wood paneling and rich tones. The high-end dining room serves a range of dishes using South African ingredients, from Knysna oysters to Karoo lamb. De Luxe Suites come with goose-down and percale cotton bedding and marble-clad en suites that have both a bath and shower. The Luxury Suites include a personal butler, added space to relax and choice of films.

Shiki-Shima, Japan

The exclusive Shiki-Shima is one of the most rewarding ways to see eastern Japan, an area known for its colorful rice terraces, mountain villages and rich martial arts heritage. After boarding at Sendai, the five-day ‘Seasons of Eastern Japan’ begins with exploring the coastline and mountains of the Tohoku region (also known as the Michinoku region), passing through its six prefectures. Highlights include watching a traditional Shinto ritual at Mount Haguro and visiting the Akinomiya hot springs village.

Passenger suites on this ultra-modern train come in three categories and interiors are furnished with regional fabrics and handicrafts, from Aizu lacquer to Tsuiki copperware. The most superior cabin is a two-floor suite with a specially made cypress bath and traditional tatami mats. The cuisine is as beautiful as the train itself, with regional chefs coming aboard at various stops to cook delicious dishes from the eastern Japan and Hokkaido region.

The Canadian, Canada

The Canadian National Railways dates back to the early 19th century and VIA Rail’s exclusive sleeper train, known simply as The Canadian , journeys across the entire width of Canada from Vancouver to Toronto. With popular trips ranging from six to 19 days, guests get to witness some incredibly diverse landscapes, including the Vancouver coastline, vast prairies and the majestic Rocky Mountains. Highlights across this 2,762-mile (4,446km) trip include the dramatic scenery between Jasper and Kamloops, where the train clings to the steep mountainside.

Known for its giant windows which continue into the train’s ceiling, the views from The Canadian are incredible and dishes served in the dining car include regional specialties such as Alberta beef, Saskatoon berry salad and salmon from British Columbia. While the Sleeper Plus Class cabin has roomy armchairs and wash facilities, the roomier (and more luxurious) Prestige Class cabin comes with a double bed, flat-screen monitor and personal concierge, with turndown service available.

El Transcantábrico Gran Lujo, Spain

El Transcantábrico may have narrower suites than other trains (due to the fact it runs on a narrow-gauge railway), but what it lacks in space, it certainly makes up for in style. Covering the northern coastal region of Spain, known as España Verde (or Green Spain), its seven-night trip from San Sebastian to Santiago de Compostela takes in some of the greatest landmarks. Standout scenery includes the Santander beaches and cultural highlights include the 19th-century El Capricho – a palace designed by Antonio Gaudí – and Bilbao’s famous Guggenheim Museum.

There’s a distinct feel of a bygone era, with four of the train’s saloons being original 1923 Pullman cars. And most of the suites have double beds with leather banquette seating and hardwood paneling. Although meals are mainly offered in local restaurants, there is a dining car offering à la carte menu. There’s also a tea saloon, panorama coach and entertainment saloon housing a small nightclub.

Seven Stars in Kyushu, Japan

Operated by the Kyushu Railway Company, the Seven Stars train covers the Kyushu region – Japan’s southernmost island – and its popular three-night package takes in five of its seven prefectures, with highlights including traditional onsens (hot springs), the scenic Ushinohama coast and Mount Aso, one of the world’s largest calderas. And there’s no excuse for missing out on the scenery with extra-large panoramic windows in the first and seventh cars.

Train interiors are more akin to a plush hotel with rich wood furniture and Japanese-inspired decor, including the intricate wood paneling known as kumiko. Live piano performances take place in the Blue Moon lounge car and the Jupiter dining car serves up regional cuisine. The most exclusive cabins, the Deluxe Suites, come with showers and lounge areas and have their own wall-to-wall window for the best views of the passing landscape.

Japan's best rail journeys

Royal Canadian Pacific, Canada

With vintage-style carriages (some dating back to the 1950s), the Royal Canadian Pacific is one of the most glamorous – and nostalgic – ways to discover the Canadian Rockies in Alberta and British Columbia. Offering three- and four-night trips, this superior train passes through jaw-dropping scenery and landmarks, such as the National Parks of Banff and Waterton Lakes. As the trains stop overnight, there’s a chance to drink in dramatic scenery over dinner and cocktails.

Twilight Express Mizukaze, Japan

With capacity for just 34 passengers on the Twilight Express , it’s hard to get your hands on a ticket to board this exclusive green and gold train. The company offers two- or three-day tours of western Japan and guests are treated to spectacular sights such as Kyoto, Osaka, Setonaikai National Park, Miyajima and Shimonoseki, taking stops at beautiful bays, historical temples and traditional Japanese Onsens en route.

Now discover the jaw-dropping rail journeys you'll never forget

A fusion of modern and Art Deco-style designs, the suites are decorated with hand-crafted items and the most prestigious sleeper cabin, known simply as The Suite, spans an entire carriage, with an expansive monochrome bathroom (featuring a roll-top bath), private balcony and lounge area. Chefs hailing from some of Japan’s top restaurants prepare picture-perfect dishes from the dining car’s open kitchen. A lounge car and two sleek observation decks (with expansive curved windows) offer panoramic views of the passing scenery.

Rovos Rail, South Africa to Tanzania

Rovos Rail has been traveling through the African continent since 1989 and with vintage, wood-paneled coaches, which have been beautifully rebuilt, and plush Edwardian-style furnishings, this 72-passenger train does all it can to recreate the romance of rail travel. With journeys lasting between two and 15 days, one of the longest trips will take you on an epic 3,603-mile (5,800km) adventure from Cape Town to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, including two overnight stays in the Madikwe Game Reserve.

One of the highlights of the train is its beautiful open-air balcony where there’s nothing to obscure the view of the African wildlife. Its 36 suites are impressive too. The most luxurious, the Royal Suite, span half a carriage, comprising a lounge, bathroom with Victorian bath and separate shower. Four-course South African meals are served in the dining car while traditional afternoon tea is served in the lounge car, which has plush sofas and big picture windows. Historians also host lectures here.

Now discover the incredible images that capture the history of train travel

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Aslef drivers to hold more train strikes in early May

Rolling 24-hour walkouts to halt many services on c2c, Thameslink, Southeastern, LNER and more

Train drivers will strike again in early May in a series of rolling 24-hour walkouts that will bring many services around Great Britain to a halt.

The Aslef union has called a set of strikes from 7 May to 9 May across all the national rail operators contracted to the Department for Transport (DfT), falling within a six-day overtime ban that is also likely to cause severe disruption on some networks.

The industrial action is part of the long-running pay dispute , with some train drivers now going five years without a pay increase.

Most operators will not run any trains on strike days. Although the strikes are at the English operators under the DfT, cross-border services to Wales and Scotland will also be hit on relevant days.

Aslef members voted overwhelmingly in February to continue industrial action.

The union’s general secretary, Mick Whelan, said: “It is now a year since we sat in a room with the train companies – and a year since we rejected the risible offer they made and which they admitted, privately, was designed to be rejected.”

Drivers were offered a two-year deal worth 4% annually, but with changes to working conditions attached. The rise was less than that offered to other parts of the industry in percentage terms.

Whelan said the government’s argument that the offer should have been put to members was disingenuous, given the repeated strike votes.

Drivers will first strike at c2c, Greater Anglia, Great Northern, Thameslink, Southeastern, Southern/Gatwick Express and South Western Railway on Tuesday 7 May.

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It will be followed by a 24-hour walkout at Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, Great Western Railway and West Midlands Trains on Wednesday 8 May; and at LNER, Northern and TransPennine Express on Thursday 9 May.

The wave of action is the fourth week of rolling strikes staged by Aslef since December, after it altered its tactics in a dispute that has lasted almost two years.

A spokesperson for the Rail Delivery Group, representing train operators, said: “This wholly unnecessary strike action called by the Aslef leadership will sadly disrupt customers and businesses once again, while further damaging the railway at a time when taxpayers are continuing to contribute an extra £54m a week just to keep services running.”

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Train drivers at Northern and LNER to strike in March, Aslef union announces

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Parking, Travel & Free Public Shuttle

Find out more about parking, travel and the free public bus shuttle service to the 2024 Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club.

Travel By Car

We have directions from five nearby cities to The Renaissance Club which can help you whether you plan on travelling by car or public transport. 

Click here if travelling from Edinburgh. Click here if travelling from Falkirk. Click here if travelling from Glasgow. Click here if Travelling from Kirkcaldy. Click here if travelling from Newcastle upon Tyne.

Spectators should follow the yellow AA event signage which will direct you to the public car park. 

There will be no access to The Renaissance Club for spectators’ vehicles, except those with valid car park labels.

Travel By Train & Free Public Shuttle

Spectators travelling by train should stop at the Longniddry Rail Station. All ticket holders will be able to use the free bus service, which will drop you off at the entrance to the Genesis Scottish Open. Shuttles will meet each train at Longniddry travelling both from Edinburgh and to Edinburgh.

Please find below the times for trains and buses travelling from Longniddry and North Berwick to Edinburgh Waverley: (note: timings subject to change).

North Berwick to Edinburgh Waverley

Saturday: 18:24, 18:52, 19:33

Sunday: 18:20, 19:25, 20:19**

Longniddry to Edinburgh Waverley

Saturday: 18:37 19:05, 19:45

Sunday: 18:33, 19:38, 20:33

124 Bus Times

Saturday: 18:30, 19:30, 20:00,.20:45, 21:55, 23:00

Sunday: Same as Above

Click here to view the free shuttle bus timetable.

Accessibility Information

There will be dedicated disabled spaces on site for spectators whose vehicles display a blue badge. The disabled car park is situated in Car Park 2. Wheelchair users will need to contact [email protected] in order to make arrangements in advance and gain admission to the site.

Spectators wanting to rent an electric scooter will be able to do so at the Event Mobility tent located in the village. Event Mobility is a charity and kindly asks for a donation of £35 for using electric scooters and £15 for the manual wheelchairs. These can be pre-booked on their website with the link here .

Spectators can also pick them up on the day and these are available on a first come first served basis.

Click here for more information.

Taxi and Uber drop off and collection is available and will be at the public car park only. There is strictly no Taxi/Uber drop off at The Renaissance Club for General ticket holders. 

For more information on local transport, please download the Transport for Edinburgh App.

Southeast Scotland Transport Partnership

Go ahead and download off the  Apple App Store  or the  Google Play Store  now!

DP World Tour Partners

Episode 95: Scots Travel Guide to Euro 2024 and Lethal Steins?‪!‬ Sofamanager Scottish Football Podcast

We're back after a near 3 year hiatus! Not without purpose, John is off to the Euros! On this weeks show Paul gives some suggestions as to what to do including some train spotting and bobsledding. We also hear about Germany's beer culture and what Scotland fans shouldn't do if they get a little too carried away ... 0:00 Intro 1:55 Off To Germany! 10:00 Travel Tips 14:00 What To Do? 24:50 Civil Service Strollers 27:35 Beer History 36:15 Food For all the latest footballing news and in depth articles: http://www.sofamanager.co.uk/​ https://www.facebook.com/sofamanger/​ https://www.instagram.com/sofamanager/​ https://twitter.com/SofaManagerFC

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