All Line Rover September 2015 Scotland advice

[James Wake]

Hi all,
I am in the process of planning my second ALR.

On Sunday 13th, I will travel on the 1145 London to Inverness and stay overnight in Inverness (any recommendations for close proximity and decent price)

On Monday 14th, I plan to take the 0855 out to Kyle (am I likely to get a seat in the front coach if perhaps the declassified first section is there), then the 51 to Armadale (any idea on cost) and if the connection is OK to the 1430 ferry to Mallaig and then the 1605 to Glasgow.

I would then like to stay near Glasgow Central (any recommendations for close proximity and decent price) on the Monday to make the 0709 TP to Preston on Tuesday morning to do the 37s to Barrow and Carlisle, then Sunderland on Northern for a Grand Central back to London.

Thanks in advance

 

[Blindtraveler]

For your Accom, have a look through the sticky thread at the top of this board, also station stays. the bus, ferry and rail for the Sky trip I believe connect without bother and shouldnt think that Kyle train would be overly busy. If youd rather have a VT journey then the 07:37 from Glasgow also connects (plus 8) into the CrankX at Preston, I did this very move last week joining it at Carlisle.

 

[CallySleeper]

Did the 0855 to Kyle on my Highland Rover trip back in May, there are about a dozen first class seats at one end. Wouldn't be able to help with accom in Inverness I'm afraid as I stayed at a friends house.

 

[Iskra]

Just got on the 0855 to Kyle.

Platform is announced 15 before departure so be by barriers then to get a seat in '1st'. However you should be fine as the train is quiet and most people don't realise that it's not 1st class anyway. There are only 3 people in the 1st section. The 1st section doesn't give the best views though due to the luggage rack on one side of the train so unless you're going to travel the line in both directions sitting on both sides of the train, it might be best to avoid it. The main benefit is the plug sockets.

 

[headshot119]

Accommodation...

I've stayed in the Royal Highland, it can be pricey but we got a great deal for it on hotels.com.

I've also stayed in the Penta hotel further down the road, fairly cheap, but nice rooms.

 

[Thewanderer]

Hi there,

A group of us stayed in Inverness last month for two nights. Stayed in the Premier Inn just on the other side of the River. Very reasonable and between 5 to 10 minute walk from the station. A good option if the Royal Highland is too pricey or booked out. I stayed there once in 2013. The Royal Highland is that old style hotel. Nice and quirky. I suggest you try out Ash pub and restaurant (part of the Royal Highland) for food.

The 1st class in the 158's is grand. We all had 1st Class ALR's / Britrail Passes so made sure to grab these, mainly for the sockets. Very handy. The train did get busier the closer it got to Kyle.

At Kyle we got a bus to Portree for a two hour break then another bus to Armadale for the 1720 Ferry to Mallaig.

Bus planning. I'll leave that to the planner of our trip Berney Arms. He'll be along shortly What I will say is the buses are cheap and the service appears reliable. However if you plan on using Citylink buses I strongly suggest booking ahead. We had a farce at Kyle while waiting for the Citylink to Portree. 10 seats available and about 15 people wanting to travel. The excess people got left behind and we got the last three seats. Phew!

Photos from that day are at https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/International/2015/UK-Trip-Wednesday-15th-July/i-qnW7Zmf

The whole trip (10th-17th July) are at https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/International/2015


The Wanderer.

 

[Hadders]

The Premier Inn on the River Ness is excellent. I've also stayed at the Wetherspoons Hotel which was also good although at short notice both of these could by pricey.

The train to Kyle will probably be a 2 car 158. There isn't usually an issue bagging a 1st class seat although the trains can get busy in the summer months.

The bus you want is the Stagecoach 51A which leaves Kyle at 1338 and arrives Armadale at 1417. The ferry leaves at 1430 and has a 10 minute check-in. Although it's tight you'll make it - public transport in this part of the country is designed to connect.

IIRC there is a Citylink 916 service at 1215 towards Portree which you can take to Broadford and then get another bus to Armadale. This bus was the Mcleans 601 service although I can't find the timetable on-line - I suspect the 601 only runs during the winter because the 51A only runs in summer.

The bus fares are inexpensive - no more than £5 iirc the last time I did it.

You could always get a later ferry and take the 1815 from Mallaig which connects to the southbound sleeper at Fort William, which you can use as a 'normal' train as ar as Glasgow.

 

[Techniquest]

My recommendation for base camp in Glasgow is Charing Cross Guest House. Nowt fancy but it does the job nicely. It means you'll have a little trek to Central but it's not overly far, I seem to recall the Subway is not far from this guesthouse which may be more useful.

0737 with Virgin normally connects well with the 1004 off Preston, but during the current timetable at least a fall back option is available at Lancaster if needs be.

You'll love the views on the Kyle line, I sure did in 2006!

 

[berneyarms]

As the Wanderer says above, you have a number of bus/ferry options between Kyle and Mallaig - either take in a trip to Portree for lunch (worth it for the stunning views) or take an earlier ferry and train.

Option 1:
Train - Depart Inverness 08:55; Arrive Kyle 11:30
Stagecoach bus 51A - Depart Kyle 13:38; Arrive Armadale 14:17 (Cost is £5 appx)
Calmac Ferry - Depart Armadale 14:30; Arrive Mallaig 15:00
Train - Depart Mallaig 16:05 Arrive Glasgow Queen St 21:18

Option 2: (This is the one that we took)
Train - Depart Inverness 08:55; Arrive Kyle 11:30
Citylink Coach 916 - Depart Kyle 12:15; Arrive Portree 13:15 (Do book in advance at citylink.co.uk)
Stagecoach bus 52 - Depart Portree 15:40; Arrive Armadale 16:56 (Cost is £5 appx)
Calmac Ferry - Depart Armadale 17:20; Arrive Mallaig 17:15
Train - Depart Mallaig 18:15; Arrive Fort William 19:37
Train - Depart Fort William 19:50; Arrive Glasgow Queen St 00:13

We stayed in Premier Inns in both Inverness and Glasgow - it's five minutes walk from Queen Street Station.

 

[cactustwirly]

Reservations are reccomended on the Mallaig portion as it can get very busy. Normally the front coach is unreserved. On my 4 coach train today 2 1/2 coaches were reserved. With the rest busy with tourists

 

[James Wake]

I have now booked the Market Brae Guest House in Inverness, and on the Monday after arriving off the 1605 ex Mallaig, the Rennie Mackintosh Hotel next to Central Station to be ready to go at 0700 on the Tuesday morning.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Can anyone advise me if the Manchester Airport to Liverpool Lime Street trains are diagrammed for 319s on a Saturday (specifically the 19th). Thinking of getting one circa 3pm from Piccadilly.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Reservations are reccomended on the Mallaig portion as it can get very busy. Normally the front coach is unreserved. On my 4 coach train today 2 1/2 coaches were reserved. With the rest busy with tourists

The front coach from where? Mallaig or after the reversal at Fort William?