Sometimes it really is the journey that counts, not the destination. For instance, one Scottish train journey, dubbed the nation’s most remote trainline, is the sort of journey you don’t want to nap through.
The four and a half hour journey is about as stunning as they get. Wick is a town which is home to the northernmost train station in the country, and around 6,900 people. It’s not much on its own (sorry, Wick), but it is the start and end-point for the most scenic train route in the country. The trip from here to the nearest city, Inverness, goes through miles of bogs, which might not sound that exciting on paper, but hear us out.
The Flowlands, Europe’s largest bog, is a UNESCO world heritage site, and it was also just named one of the greatest places to visit in the world by Time Magazine. Viewing it by train means you can enjoy the scenery without needing to get your wellies on.
If that wasn’t enough, you’ll also pass by several old Scottish castles – these things are straight out of Macbeth. One in particular, Dunrobin Castle, even offers discounted entry with your train ticket. You can also expect to see loads of sheep, and maybe even a Highland cow or two if you’re lucky. They really do have it all.
The line is also set to get an £11.5 million investment from Network Rail this summer, going towards replacing an old section of track. This will mean that for a period of time services will stop at Dingwall, so make sure to double check before you make your way to the very tip of Scotland only to discover the trains aren’t even running.
Tickets start at £37.30 for an anytime return, and there are only four trains per day going in each direction, so be sure to plan accordingly. Additionally, you’ll need to make sure to remember to press a button before your stop, because otherwise the driver won’t stop, similar to a bus. Things just work differently up north.
Once you’ve had your Highland adventure, why not try the longest continuous train route in the country on the way back down? Until recently, it was Aberdeen to Penzance, but that journey ceased operation, and it is now the Caledonian Sleeper train from Fort William to London. You can learn more about that here.
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