Scotland’s scenery is wild and dramatic, from the rugged peaks of the Highlands to island-studded coastlines. Although remote, many of its most beautiful places are accessible by train, so there’s no need for a car – it's eco-friendly travel at its best.
Travelling by train is a more sustainable way to explore. It gives you space to slow down and appreciate the changing landscapes and pretty towns slipping past your window. With that in mind, here are five of the best scenic railway journeys in Scotland that showcase the country’s natural beauty without needing a car, brought to you by one of resident Scotland experts, Francesca Brooking of the outdoors website Little Lost Travel.
1. The West Highland Line: Glasgow to Mallaig
The West Highland Line is often hailed as Scotland’s most scenic railway journey. Departing from Glasgow, the train winds north, skimming along the length of Loch Lomond and up into the Highlands.
It’s a journey of varied landscapes of woodlands, lochs, remote communities and rugged mountains. The train splits up at Crianlarich with one half snaking down to the coastal town of Oban, Scotland’s seafood capital. The other continues north to Rannoch Moor and Carrour, the highest train station in the UK.
The final leg takes you from Fort William at the foot of Ben Nevis to Mallaig on the West Coast, crossing over the 21-arch Glenfinnan Viaduct made famous by Harry Potter. At Mallaig, you can continue your adventure by taking the ferry to Armadale on Skye.
Browse our guide to find the best places to stay in the Scottish Highlands
2. The Far North Line: Inverness to Thurso and Wick
Venture to the northern tip of the UK mainland on the Far North Line. Travelling from Inverness to Thurso and Wick, it’s the longest direct rail journey in Scotland. The railway journey follows the North Sea coast, passing distilleries, salmon-rich rivers and golf courses.
Soon, bucolic farmlands fall away as you pass through Flow Country, the world’s first Peatland World Heritage Site. Europe’s largest blanket bog stretches from Caithness to Sutherland, and is a vital carbon sink, storing over 400 million tonnes of CO2. That’s more than twice the amount stored in Britain’s woodlands.
Once you arrive in Thurso, you can take a bus to John O’Groats, the most northerly inhabited point in mainland Britain. Or, why not head to Scrabster to catch the ferry to the Orkney Isles?
Browse our guide to find the best placket stay in the Far North of Scotland
3. The Borders Railway: Edinburgh to Tweedbank
Down south, the Borders Railway links Edinburgh to Tweedbank in the Scottish Borders. Making an ideal day trip from the city, the scenic railway journey reopened in 2015 for the first time since 1969.
It heads south past old mining villages, Newtongrange and Gorebridge, before traversing open farmland to reach Stow. This stretch is particularly spectacular at sunset. A notable stop en route is Galashiels, one of the main towns in the Scottish Borders. It has a fascinating history of textile production. The Great Tapestry of Scotland and the Borders Textile Towerhouse are well worth a look.
Finally, the railway journey ends in Tweedbank, with attractions nearby such as Melrose Abbey and Abbotsford, home of one of Scotland’s most celebrated writers, Sir Walter Scott.
Browse our guide to find the best places to stay in the Scottish Borders
4. The Kyle Line: Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh
The Kyle Line is a spectacular journey through the middle of Scotland from coast to coast. It starts from Inverness and ends at Kyle of Lochalsh, the gateway to the impressive Skye Bridge, which links the Isle of Skye with the mainland.
The train winds down the southern bank of the Beauly Firth, passing Dingwall and the isolated peak of Ben Wyvis. The mountainous West Highland landscape comes into view, and you’ll be able to spy the vast rugged wilderness of the Torridon Peaks to the west, just before plunging into Achnashellach Forest.
After skimming the banks of Loch Carron, the train stops at Plockton, famous for some slightly surprising palm trees and its appearance in The Wicker Man. As you continue to Kyle of Lochalsh, Skye will emerge across the sea. It’s reachable by bus from Kyle of Lochalsh.
Browse our guide to find the best places to stay in the Scottish Islands
5. The Stranraer Line: Glasgow to Stranraer
The Stranraer Line is a scenic railway adventure to Scotland’s southwest. It departs from Glasgow and heads south past three lochs to Irvine and Troon on the coast.
From there, it snakes down to Ayr, home to the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, which gives a fascinating insight into Scotland’s legendary poet.
As you pass Girvan, look across the water for a glimpse of Ailsa Craig, a granite islet that has become a sanctuary for 40,000 nesting gannets and thousands of other seabirds. The line then starts to wind inland through rural Dumfries and Galloway to Barrhill.
The Merrick, the highest peak in Southern Scotland, can be spied from Chirmorie before the railway descends through Glenluce to Stranraer on the edge of Loch Ryan. From there, you can explore the Rhins of Galloway Peninsula or take a bus to Cairnryan and catch the ferry to Northern Ireland.
Browse our guide to find the best places to stay in Southern Scotland
Final Thoughts on Scotland’s Scenic Railway Journeys
Whether traversing UNESCO-listed peat bogs in the far north or crossing cinematic viaducts in the West Highlands, Scotland’s railway journeys are filled with awe-inspiring views. Train travel gives you a chance to slow down and soak up the country’s wild natural beauty and reach remote places without needing a car.
