I'm planning a little tour of the highlands for this autumn and my itinerary currently has me going as far as Rogart on the Far North Line. My question is - is the scenery worth me taking the trip to Thurso and back from Rogart (where I am staying the night), or is my time better spent returning to Inverness and exploring the city?
-
Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!
Far North Line trip
- Thread starter williamn
- Start date
- Status
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R
RailUK Forums
If you like magnificent desolation, then it's worth the trip. The Flow Country reminds you that there's a *lot* of Scotland!
Plus, if you're a true trainhead, how can you miss out going to the northernmost station in the UK?
MidnightFlyer
Veteran Member
- Joined
- 16 May 2010
- Messages
- 12,856
The line north of Helmsdale I think is stunning for just how bleak it is, it's on another level to anything I've ever seen on another remote line in the UK. It goes on for quite a while too! I have no idea how controversial this is but I will admit I'm not too enamoured to the line south of Helmsdale, it never really got going scenery-wise for me, certainly compared to the lines out to Perth and Kyle.
Inverness is a nice city but I'm not sure how long you could pass there.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Had a check at this - Helmsdale to Georgemas Junction is 45 miles and just under an hour in length, and in that time away from the stations you could count all the signs of civilisation you see on one hand, it's absolutely incredible.
Inverness is a nice city but I'm not sure how long you could pass there.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Had a check at this - Helmsdale to Georgemas Junction is 45 miles and just under an hour in length, and in that time away from the stations you could count all the signs of civilisation you see on one hand, it's absolutely incredible.
petegunstone
Member
- Joined
- 9 Oct 2014
- Messages
- 30
Unquestionably, in my opinion. The train journey through the Caithness/Sutherland Flow Country (the largest expanse of blanket bog in Europe) is beautiful would serve as an appetite-whetter for a potential subsequent exploration. The drama of the scenery is different from, say, the WHL, but is nonetheless a great experience in it's own right, all in a comfortable 158 with catering!
What you do on arrival at the end of the line(s) is worth considering a little. Whilst Wick and Thurso are not the principal tourist honeypots in Caithness, you could do a lot worse than to step off the train at Thurso and enjoy 2 hours stretching your legs there. Caithness Horizons is a superb permanent exhibition in the Town Hall including some amazing Pictish (therefore decorated) standing stones.
This page is a good starting point - http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/ Click on the relevant portion of the map to get to know Caithness better. They also have a great page on Caithness Horizons.
What you do on arrival at the end of the line(s) is worth considering a little. Whilst Wick and Thurso are not the principal tourist honeypots in Caithness, you could do a lot worse than to step off the train at Thurso and enjoy 2 hours stretching your legs there. Caithness Horizons is a superb permanent exhibition in the Town Hall including some amazing Pictish (therefore decorated) standing stones.
This page is a good starting point - http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/ Click on the relevant portion of the map to get to know Caithness better. They also have a great page on Caithness Horizons.
backontrack
Established Member
Brora-Helmsdale is very nice too. For some distance the train appears to be on the actual beach. I recommend it.
Inverness-Tain is mostly farmland. There's the Clachnaharry swing bridge, and some brilliant views of the Beauly Firth. Then there's Ben Wyvis.
From Tain to Ardgay you skirt the southern side of the Dornoch Firth. There are some lovely views. North of Ardgay to Lairg the scenery gets more rugged. You cross the Firth (now the Kyle of Sutherland) at Shin Viaduct.
Lairg to Rogart is more rugged too, but less sheltered IIRC. I remember there being lots of heather from my last journey.
West of Rogart you head along the northern side of Loch Fleet, with more lovely views. Golspie to Brora has Dunrobin Castle, residence of the Duke of Sutherland. The station building there is a Grade B listed building as well.
Brora to Helmsdale is on the shore, as I've said, with lovely views once again. Make sure you're sitting on the right hand side of the train (travelling northbound) to get these views. Helmsdale-Kinbrace has more rugged scenery once again. Kildonan station on this stretch was once famous for a presumed gold presence in the local streams. I've also seen stags on this stretch before - they love the lush grass. Forsinard has the RSPB Flow Country reserve.
North of Kinbrace/Forsinard is the Flow Country section, which has already been mentioned. The scenery reverts back to farmland east of Scotscalder.
Inverness-Tain is mostly farmland. There's the Clachnaharry swing bridge, and some brilliant views of the Beauly Firth. Then there's Ben Wyvis.
From Tain to Ardgay you skirt the southern side of the Dornoch Firth. There are some lovely views. North of Ardgay to Lairg the scenery gets more rugged. You cross the Firth (now the Kyle of Sutherland) at Shin Viaduct.
Lairg to Rogart is more rugged too, but less sheltered IIRC. I remember there being lots of heather from my last journey.
West of Rogart you head along the northern side of Loch Fleet, with more lovely views. Golspie to Brora has Dunrobin Castle, residence of the Duke of Sutherland. The station building there is a Grade B listed building as well.
Brora to Helmsdale is on the shore, as I've said, with lovely views once again. Make sure you're sitting on the right hand side of the train (travelling northbound) to get these views. Helmsdale-Kinbrace has more rugged scenery once again. Kildonan station on this stretch was once famous for a presumed gold presence in the local streams. I've also seen stags on this stretch before - they love the lush grass. Forsinard has the RSPB Flow Country reserve.
North of Kinbrace/Forsinard is the Flow Country section, which has already been mentioned. The scenery reverts back to farmland east of Scotscalder.
Go North, if only for the bucket list! As you will be coming through Inverness, you may have time between trains to have a wander up the town. The interesting parts of Inverness can be reached pretty quickly from the station as it is very central. Loch Ness is only a 15 minute taxi ride away and any driver will take you out, wait and bring you back.
Rogart North is a beautiful mix of shore, sea, hill and moor and well worth the trip. Both Thurso and Wick are quaint little towns with lots of Cafe's and eating places and Wick has the bus service to John O' Groats if the mood takes you to visit the top of Scotland.
Feel free to PM me if you need any more info on the area.
Rogart North is a beautiful mix of shore, sea, hill and moor and well worth the trip. Both Thurso and Wick are quaint little towns with lots of Cafe's and eating places and Wick has the bus service to John O' Groats if the mood takes you to visit the top of Scotland.
Feel free to PM me if you need any more info on the area.
- Status