Trains have always been the favorite way of travel for Scottish people. Not only are the train lines extending in all directions, but the good scenery along the way also makes travel a relaxing and enjoyable experience.
Many train lines in the UK traverse natural scenic areas and idyllic countryside.
This article will take stock of the most beautiful train lines in Scotland, from straight through to the northernmost part of the UK, across the small coastal towns to the train lines galloping on the cliffs, making you feel the shocking charm of Scottish trains everywhere!
1. The Jacobite: The Harry Potter Train Explores Scottish Nature
This line The Jacobite is the train line to Hogwarts in Harry Potter. Fort William is the starting point of the entire route. It is located in a small town at the foot of Ben Nevis, at the junction of the Scottish Highlands and Lowlands.
It is a popular town on the Scottish Highlands tourist route.
Ben Nevis is adjacent to the Grand Canyon of Nevis and is an excellent resort to experience nature. In summer, you may even see the snow that has not melted on Ben Nevis Mountain. In winter, it is heaven for ski lovers.
The train travels all the way north through the iconic Stone Arch Bridge in the Harry Potter movies and finally arrives at the harbor town of Mallaig, which is also home to Loch Nevis, the deepest lake in Europe, with a round-trip journey of about 84 miles.
2. Northern UK train line: to reach the northernmost town in the UK
The scenery of Scottish Highlands has the most beautiful natural scenery in the UK, and this is a train line to the northernmost tip of the Scottish Highlands, which takes about 4 hours.
Trains depart from Inverness, the capital of the Scottish Highlands. The city of Inverness is well worth a visit, with vendors selling handicrafts with ancient ornaments and street artists playing bagpipes.
Take the train all the way to the north, on the way you will see Skibo Castle, Carbisdale Castle, Dunrobin Castle station, the railway station that has retained the original Earl's Seat for hundreds of years, as well as beaches and fishing villages, habitats for wild animals, and then the train arrives in the northernmost town in UK, Thurso.
Thurso Beach and Dunnet Head are well worth a visit, with beach views along the way. The train travels for another half an hour to the terminal Wick, which is built on the Wick Sea. Because of the high dimension of the terrain, if you are lucky enough to see the aurora in winter and spring!
3. Scottish coastline: the beauty of mountain peaks and lakes and seas
Completed in 1897, the railway was the most expensive railway project of the year, as it required blasting hard rock and digging various tunnels.
The train line is in Scotland, passing deserted beaches, lakes and swamps, Ben Wyvis, a huge independent mountain in Scotland, and fishing villages.
If you are lucky, you can also see eagles and otters. Near the finish line, you will see spectacular views of the Isle of Skye in the distance, which is also one of the most famous holiday destinations in the UK.
The train finally stops at Kyle of Lochalsh, a small coastal town south of Loch Alsh. As soon as you get off the train, you can see the lake and the sea, and sky island is across the lake.
You can visit the lighthouse Eilean Bàn and Elendona Castle not far away, or you can take a break and go to the Sky Island to see the ruins of the castle on the mountain, Caisteal Maol.
