Scottish Highlands by train

Has anyone been up to the Scottish Highlands on the train. I'm planning a midweek trip up there in October and just wondered if anyone had any recommendations of places to visit, sights to see etc.

Fort William Les, Also Kyle of Lochalsh, Depends on what you want to see really, If it is views then these places are a must, Fort William to Mallaig via The Glenfinnan Viaduct is lovely, My favourite is Glencoe - This is were we go on holiday every year.

Les, I'll back what Chris says, Glasgow to Mallaig is the equivalent of choo choo orgasm. Being over 55 I belong to the Scotrail over 55's club, and twice a year they do promotions for us old uns and you can do any two stations return in Scotland for £19.99 return, and unsurprisingly we take advantage of it at least twice a year. I go from Sanquhar - the fourth southernmost station in Scotland - to Mallaig, and it's an incredible journey once you get north of Glasgow. Mallaig also has 4 fish restaurants that wouldn't be out of plaice in Grimsby - what more could I say? Oh yeh, you can upgrade to first class for £5 each way! You get food and drinks on some lines going first class....

I was looking at going up to Edinburgh and staying overnight there. I was then going up to Inverness and across to Kyle of Lochalsh. I've found a lovely little place called Plockton which is only 2 stops before Kyle which looks lovely http://www.plockton.com/ so I was planning on staying one night there.

I was then thinking of going back across to Dingwall and then up to Wick for another nights stay. I was recommended to do the Fort William to Mallaig line but it looks like I wont have the time to do it as it'd be a nightmare getting back anywhere from Mallaig as I'm only going for 3 days.

I will do the Fort William to Mallaig at some time though as now that I qualify for a disabled persons railcard I can get one third of all journeys and can do Gy to Eddinburgh to Inverness to Kyle to Dingwall to Wick for only £40 if I book in advance.

Quoted from cmackenzie4

Fort William Les, Also Kyle of Lochalsh, Depends on what you want to see really, If it is views then these places are a must, Fort William to Mallaig via The Glenfinnan Viaduct is lovely, My favourite is Glencoe - This is were we go on holiday every year.

Many years ago I did a winter walk across Rannoch moor starting from Rannoch station. The line to Fort William cuts across the moor and the track is actually laid on something like brushwood so that when a train crosses it the line actually sinks a bit. Quite disconcerting. Fabulous part of the country.  

Quoted from Les Brechin

I was looking at going up to Edinburgh and staying overnight there. I was then going up to Inverness and across to Kyle of Lochalsh. I've found a lovely little place called Plockton which is only 2 stops before Kyle which looks lovely http://www.plockton.com/ so I was planning on staying one night there.

I was then thinking of going back across to Dingwall and then up to Wick for another nights stay. I was recommended to do the Fort William to Mallaig line but it looks like I wont have the time to do it as it'd be a nightmare getting back anywhere from Mallaig as I'm only going for 3 days.

I will do the Fort William to Mallaig at some time though as now that I qualify for a disabled persons railcard I can get one third of all journeys and can do Gy to Eddinburgh to Inverness to Kyle to Dingwall to Wick for only £40 if I book in advance.

Isn't Plockton where they filmed Hamish McBeth?

Quoted from barralad

Isn't Plockton where they filmed Hamish McBeth?

Apparently so, not that I ever watched the programme.

Plockton sounds like a cure for zits.

Quoted from jock dock tower

Plockton sounds like a cure for zits.

On a serious note Vey nice at Plockton, You will enjoy it Les, Not much up at Wick though, it is a long ride by train, If it were me i would stay to the West coast, Edinburgh is a nice city though and well worth visiting, It is a shame they don't run trains through Sutherland up on the north West coast as the scenery here is breath taking, I once camped at Cape Wrath and Sandwood bay with a mate of mine, It was like paradise so unspoilt and beautiful, But so remote too, Anyway i hope you enjoy it Les. I love Scotland mate, it has a special place in my heart.

Quoted from barralad

Many years ago I did a winter walk across Rannoch moor starting from Rannoch station. The line to Fort William cuts across the moor and the track is actually laid on something like brushwood so that when a train crosses it the line actually sinks a bit. Quite disconcerting. Fabulous part of the country.  

This place can be very bleak at times Ian, You must of been fit back in them days mate as this walk is very demanding and not for novices, especially in winter.

Note to Chris....he'll certainly not be doing it this year!

Quoted from jock dock tower

Note to Chris....he'll certainly not be doing it this year!

or any of the next 50

Just booked train tickets today. Grimsby to Edinburgh to Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh to Plockton to Dingwall to Wick and back home via Inverness, Edinburgh and Donny for a total of £61!!!

Got a Travellodge booked in Edinburgh on Sunday night (21st Oct) for £19, and a B&B in Wick for £25 on the Tuesday. Just got to sort out a place to stay in Plockton on the Monday but if the worst comes to the worst there is the Station Bunkhouse for £12.

Really looking forward to it as it a trip I've always wanted to do.

Hope you enjoy your trip to God's country, Les! You've got to try Cullen Skink and add your thoughts to that particular posting on here...

Quoted from jock dock tower

Hope you enjoy your trip to God's country, Les! You've got to try Cullen Skink and add your thoughts to that particular posting on here...

My stepdad was Scottish Jock so I'm well versed in all things Caledonian and I have enjoyed said delicacy on a number of occasions. There is a restaurant/hotel in Plockton who advertise their famous Cullen Skink as a starter so I will have to try that I reckon with haggis. neeps. n tatties to follow.

.............mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, heaven!

Quoted from jock dock tower

.............mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, heaven!

Agreed.

Tickets arrived yesterday, all 21 of them!!!

Took me about 20 minute to sort them all into the correct order I need to use them. One did make me smile..on the 1434 out of Grimsby to Doncaster on the Sunday one ticket is a "Sleeper Reservation", complete with the number of the Berth I have reserved.  

£12.20 single Grimsby to Edinburgh, it'd cost you almost that much to get a cab to Cleethorpes from Grimsby station these days.