Day out on the Far North Line - suggestions?

[bradders1983]

Hi there.

In a few weeks I am off to see a mate in Wick, however to try and keep costs down I am going on the coach.

However I do want to get on the Far North line at some point and there are a couple of days where he is working and I have the day to amuse myself.

So can anyone recommend any trips out I can do from Wick on the train (on a weekday) to get me back into Wick at a decent time? Or is there not much to see out there?

I wouldnt mind visiting a distillery somewhere if there is one along the route?

 

[najaB]

I wouldnt mind visiting a distillery somewhere if there is one along the route?

There's a distillery that does tours not far from Tain - 99% sure it's Glenmorangie.

 

[Altnabreac]

If you were going in summer I'd highly recommend the John O'Groats ferry day tour to Orkney including the excellent Highland Park distillery but its trickier to do in a day in Winter.

Old Pulteney distillery is in Wick itself but I've never been on the tour there (have drunk it though and it's very good).

To combine Far North and distillery your best bet is probably going Clynelish in Brora but I'd phone first to check they're doing tours on your chosen day as it's a relatively small distillery.

To get to Brora by the Far North you're looking at leaving at 08:12 (arr 10.03, dep 12.54) and getting back to Wick at 14.52.

Glenmorangie at Tain is another option but the distillery is not handy for the station and it would be a much longer day out.

Forsinard RSPB reserve is a great day out but the visitor centre will be closed for winter and it's not the best time of year at the moment but there are still Deer, Hen Harriers etc and seeing the flow country bogs close up is alawys interesting.
http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/placestovisit/forsinardflows/default.aspx

It is quite good for a short morning out as you can leave at 08:12 arrive Forsinard 09.16 have an hour there and then get the 10.22 back to Wick arriving 11.22.

Or for the ultimate Far North experience get the 16.00 to Altnabreac (arr 16.55) and experience 20 minutes of darkness and isolation until the 17.16 arrives to take you back to civilisation

 

[bradders1983]

To combine Far North and distillery your best bet is probably going Clynelish in Brora but I'd phone first to check they're doing tours on your chosen day as it's a relatively small distillery.

To get to Brora by the Far North you're looking at leaving at 08:12 (arr 10.03, dep 12.54) and getting back to Wick at 14.52.

This website:

http://www.discovering-distilleries.com/clynelish/

...suggests they do an 11am tour on November weekdays. Now how far is it from the station on foot and how long is the tour? Any ideas?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Just Google Mapped it. Suggests 1.1 miles, can easily do that in 20 minutes I suppose.

 

[Altnabreac]

It's about a mile from the station so fairly easy to get there in time.

Distillery tours are usually 30-60 minutes so I expect you'd be finished in plenty of time. As I say I'd give them a ring to check times etc before I set off.

Plenty of shops / cafes in Brora to get a bite to eat before you head back as well. It's a nice wee town.

 

[bradders1983]

Might be the best option then, now Im not a fan of the taste of whisky but always wanted to visit one

Plus gets in a fair chunk of the Far North Line too.

Anytime Day Return looks like it is £20.90, I assume this would be the cost on the day too? Could get it for £17.20 as two singles if I book it today. For the sake of a few quid I could just decide on the day I guess.

 

[causton]

Depends how much you value that few quid, if your plans change for any reason your tickets may be useless so personally would go for the £20.90!

 

[Altnabreac]

Might be the best option then, now Im not a fan of the taste of whisky but always wanted to visit one

Plus gets in a fair chunk of the Far North Line too.

Anytime Day Return looks like it is £20.90, I assume this would be the cost on the day too? Could get it for £17.20 as two singles if I book it today. For the sake of a few quid I could just decide on the day I guess.

I'd definitely go for the flexible ticket. It's not that long to wait for the 16.17 so if you were delayed for whatever reason or just decided to go to the pub in Brora for the afternoon, better to have the flexibility.

 

[bradders1983]

Is there a cash machine in Brora? May sound a silly question but worth checking!

 

[Buttsy]

If you're a fan of walking, you could get the 08:12 to Ardgay (arr 10:53) and walk from there to Invershin via Invercharron Wood, Viewfield Wood, Hilton Wood and Carbisdale Castle, catching the 15:27 or 19:23 back. I did this from north to south in 2013 and it was a enjoyable walk. Arrived at Invershin at 15:27 and caught the 18:46 out of Ardgay and had to hang around Ardgay for about 30 mins.

I think that there is a hotel very near Invershin station if you need a pint.

 

[Haydn1971]

I think that there is a hotel very near Invershin station if you need a pint.

Less a hotel, more a pub with cheap bunk rooms - I've stayed there, it's fine

 

[cf111]

Brora would be my shout, lovely little town.

 

[Essexman]

A night at the Forsinard Hotel (assuming it is still open - I stayed there a couple of years ago & enjoyed walking in Flow Country and excellent dinner in hotel).

 

[Bletchleyite]

Apparently it's shut, sadly.

 

[Altnabreac]

A night at the Forsinard Hotel (assuming it is still open - I stayed there a couple of years ago & enjoyed walking in Flow Country and excellent dinner in hotel).

It has closed sadly. Yours for £425,000 if you're interested.

Last time I stayed there the family having dinner at the next table were extolling its virtues as one of the few places you could stay that also had accommodation for your ferrets and your falcons.

They came up every year to hunt rabbits the medieval way!

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Wherever you end up, enjoy the line between Wick and Helmsdale - it's my nomination for most underrated in the country: the scenery and sparsity of it all is breathtaking.

 

[bradders1983]

Probably going to do the Brora suggestion, my mate thinks Im a bit "sad" given he lives across the road from a distillery in Wick but that wouldnt take up most of the day so there we are

 

[matchmaker]

Is there a cash machine in Brora? May sound a silly question but worth checking!

There's a branch of the Clydesdale near to the station with an ATM, according to their website.

 

[Liam]

There's a branch of the Clydesdale near to the station with an ATM, according to their website.

There is also one at the Coop.

 

[bradders1983]

Wherever you end up, enjoy the line between Wick and Helmsdale - it's my nomination for most underrated in the country: the scenery and sparsity of it all is breathtaking.

It was

However I only experienced it on the way back from Brora as the 0812 departure from Wick was cancelled, citing "staff unavailability". So on the bus we went.

I'm actually due to get back on the coach tomorrow to head back home however I now fancy doing the whole route and it's only £12.40 for an advance to Inverness for tomorrow so might go and buy that later when I go to the station to get the train to the cinema in Thurso.

I noticed that the train I was on yesterday had First Class seats however the timetable clearly says that the trains convey standard class only. If I sit in those seats am I going to get in trouble?

 

[ScotTrains]

It was
I noticed that the train I was on yesterday had First Class seats however the timetable clearly says that the trains convey standard class only. If I sit in those seats am I going to get in trouble?

No, as there is no advertised First it is fine to sit there. The locals know about this and so it fills up quickly. There's not much difference other than a power socket and wood veneer on the tables! You'll still have to pay for refreshments if you want them. Seating is still 2+2.

 

[reb0118]

If I sit in those seats am I going to get in trouble?

Only if you wear white trainers (or any form of sporting attire - unless of course that sport is one of the holy trinity of "Huntin', Shootin', & Fishin'". Whilst we allow Standards in the First on the Far North Line that does not mean that standards should diminish!

 

[Starmill]

The Flow County is like nothing I have ever seen before. It's certainly recommended to ride the line just to see it! The enormity and isolation of the place really hits. I wonder what it's like driving across that...

 

[najaB]

I wonder what it's like driving across that...

...in the dead of Winter.

 

[cf111]

The Flow County is like nothing I have ever seen before. It's certainly recommended to rude the line just to see it! The enormity and isolation of the place really hits. I wonder what it's like driving across that...

Very bleak!

Living up here I take the scenery for granted, so it's lovely to see that people enjoy the FNL and Caithness/Sutherland.

 

[Starmill]

Here is a pic I took. Very, very bleak. Didn't know we had anyone local to the Caithness area

 

[bradders1983]

The Flow County is like nothing I have ever seen before. It's certainly recommended to ride the line just to see it! The enormity and isolation of the place really hits. I wonder what it's like driving across that...

Would need a decent car to do it in, surely

Just passing Altnabreac station now (on the free ScotRail wifi). Amazing there is a station out here really.

 

[reb0118]

Just passing Altnabreac station now (on the free ScotRail wifi). Amazing there is a station out here really.

True, but how else would Altnabreac get home?

 

[bradders1983]

Ha

Two people got on at Kinbrace (request stop) which surprised me given there is naff all there! Half an hour away from home now (on the coach for the Inverness-Sheffield part of the journey), been a good week away.

 

[reb0118]

[It's] been a good week away.

Glad you enjoyed it. Have a safe trip home.