Scotland's Most Scenic Train Journeys

Scotland’s railways are something to behold. Britain’s capabilities in rail travel have spanned centuries and often been viewed by the world as innovative and exciting. Through the hard work of volunteers and dedicated groups, rail travel in Scotland can take you to some of the most remote – and most scenic areas of the country, in comfort and in style. Here are our picks for the most scenic train journeys in Scotland that you can take.

If you’re looking for timeless luxury and class, try this luxury train, run by Belmond. Offering something of a hotel on wheels, its vintage, art-deco retreats travel through nature in ten specially designed cars carrying private, en-suite cabins. Luxury dining can be found on board, as well as a spa, and any one of its four central journeys will take you through Scotland’s dramatic and beautiful natural landscape in comfort. You can even build in excursions for your trip, for tastings at local distilleries, hikes in the wilderness and visits to local towns and villages. A good choice for anyone who misses the golden age of train travel.

Travelling from Glasgow to Mallaig, the highlands have never looked more beautiful than they do from this scenic journey. Declared by many in the know as the best train journey in Britain, the line makes a stop at Fort William before travelling onto Mallaig, the ferry port for the Isles of Skye, Muck, Rum and Eigg. The journey brings you some of the biggest hitters of Scottish nature – the base of Ben Nevis, Loch Lomond and the Glenfinnan Viaduct – best known for its starring role in the Harry Potter films. Excursions include hiking on the West Highland Way, a visit to Neptune’s Staircase and a visit to Corrour, the highest mainline train station in Britain.

Though perhaps not bringing as dramatic a skyline as others, the Perth to Inverness train journey passes near the famous Drumochter Pass. In the winter months, the pass is so covered with snow that it looks like something out of a science fiction film, meeting the carved rocks beneath it to create a stunning landscape of black and white. Blair Castle makes for an intriguing stop on the journey – its grand estate has been owned by the Clan Murray for centuries.

From Inverness to Thurso to Wick, this scenic journey follows the North Sea Coastline and offers some of the most interesting excursions available to avid travellers. Thurso, the most Northerly train station in Britain, is not far from John O’Groats, which can be further accessed by bus. The journey also offers some seasonal or on-request stops, particularly for local distilleries, golf courses and even castles. Nearby Dunrobin Castle has been inhabited by the same noble line for over 750 years and is well worth the visit. Ferries to Orkney leave from Scrabster, near Thurso, for even more to explore.

If you want your train journey to whisk you back in time, try the Strathspey Steam Railway. Vintage rules with this renovated train, complete with dining car and individual carriages pulled by a steam locomotive. The round trip runs from Aviemore to Boat of Garten and Broomhill. A group of volunteers brought these historic trains back to life in 1978. Look out for ospreys, a rare bird in Britain.

Whilst the line is only about a mile long, with the journey lasting fifteen to twenty minutes, this journey presents a beautiful slice of Scotland in a standard gauge steam engine. With stunning views and set into the surrounding hills, the highlight of this journey is its stop at Milton of Crathes, home to an award-winning Victorian train station. The station also has a tearoom in a railway carriage, local walking in the area and a restaurant, art gallery and boutique shops in the nearby complex. The line runs beside the River Dee, which gives it its name. The old Deeside line was used regularly by the Royal Family on the way to Balmoral until 1966.

From Edinburgh to Tweedbank, this railway journey presents a true snapshot of the Borders. The line stops at Gorebridge and Newtongrange, once Scotland’s largest planned mining village and home to the National Mining Museum Scotland. 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 Borders Loop for some fresh country air.

One of the world’s most beautiful railway journeys, this train moves you from Inverness, across the East Coast of Scotland to Kyle of Lochalsh on the West, the crossing point for the Isle of Skye. See lochs, mountains and hills as you follow the coast across the Highlands, visit the beautiful market town of Dingwall and visit the tranquil Plockton Bay, which was used in the BBC miniseries Hamish Macbeth and the film The Wicker Man. From your window, you’ll also be able to catch a glimpse of Ben Wyvis, the lone mountain above Strathpeffer.

Travelling from Bo’ness to Manuel, this heritage railway line is home to Scotland’s largest railway museum. The train follows the shore of the Firth of Forth. 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.

Considered a legendary landmark in Scotland, the Forth Rail Bridge is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the second-longest cantilever span bridge in the world. Opened in 1890, the railway bridge crosses the Firth of Forth, west of central Edinburgh. Serviced by two train stations on either side, the bridge is well worth seeing for those in the area. Hitchcock fans will also recognise this iconic bridge from its appearance in The 39 Steps.

Taking you from Glasgow to Stranraer, this railway line runs through Robert Burns country. Taking you south over the West coast, the train looks out over Ailsa Craig, home to over 36,000 gannets, as well as views over the ocean and the Isle of Arran. Stop by in Ayr to visit the Robert Burns Museum, or in Troon for its golf.