Highlands with my son

[BenBru]

My rail mad son is very keen to see the Highlands principally for model railway ideas.

I said I would take him from Halifax in summer.

My outline plan is -
- grand central to London
- Sleeper to Scotland: should I head to Fort William or Inverness?
- Daytime trains back to Edinburgh, connect with VTEC to York and back to Halifax

Before I do more detailed plans does anyone have any suggestions about the order of events, the route and even things to spot?

Thanks

Ben

 

[Blindtraveler]

If wishing to return South the same day then Inverness but I would strongly advise an overnight stay so as to get more time up there. If you are game for that then you could do both Inverness and FortBill. Another option is the sleaper back from FW to Preston for connection to Halifax. This route could be done in reverse Northbound.

 

[me123]

If you're heading up Inverness way, there are steam railways at Aviemore (Strathspey Railway) and of course, you've got the Jacobite if you head up Fort William way. The (Keith and Dufftown Railway) operates heritage diesel DMUs (108s).

A bit of steam is very possible and will provide something a bit different for inspiration alongside the standard trains.

I'd agree that spending a night (if possible) would be very much advised. You could even then get Fort William and Inverness (and possibly even go along to Aberdeen in time for a Southbound train home - it's a nice ride down that way if you sit on the coast side of the train and you get to go over the Forth Bridge). You would need a bus to get between Fort William and Inverness, but it's not too infrequent (timetable).

So I would suggest the following (I've assumed weekdays):
Fort William Sleeper (arrives 09:55)
Jacobite Steam Train (d 10:30, returns at 16:00)
16:45 bus to Inverness - stay a night there.
09:00 Scotrail to Keith
12:10 trip on Keith & Dufftown Railway (returns 14:38)
15:30 Scotrail Keith to Aberdeen
18:18 East Coast to Leeds (a00:45)

Although this will of course assume that someone is able to give you a lift from Leeds station back home, as you can't get to Halifax off this.

 

[PeterY]

I hope you and your son have a great trip.

 

[30907]

If the aim is to see Highland railways, I would certainly go for the Ft Wm and Inverness combination (or even a bit further north), and I would guess the Strathspey for heritage (I've not been there!).

Not sure whether I could justify the Jacobite trip in terms of the objective, and likewise the sleeper - but they'd be a nice bonus.

Are Nairn and Forres still mechanically signalled? If so they would be worth a side trip from Inverness, but I'd then return to the Highland main line.

 

[bradford758]

From Halifax, there's a convenient connection via Preston to Scotland.
We used to stop in Inverness for a week, nothing much there, but handy as trains run in four directions, so a day trip every day to various places (rover tickets are available).


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[les.]

I can thoroughly recommend the Inverness to Kyle line, especially the last 30 miles or so when the train snakes it's way slowly around Loch Carron. Some of the best scenery in the UK.

If you have time I also recommend a visit to Plockton, a couple of stops before the end of the line, one of the most picturesque villages in the whole of the UK.

I'm heading up there again for the 8th time (I think) next week, having found the place by accident when I first did the tour of The Highlands back in 2009. Inverness to Kyle, Kyle back to Dingwall, Dingwall up to Wick and then back. The Inverness to Wick line isn't bad but nowhere near as scenic as the Inverness to Kyle line.

I can also recommend The Plockton Inn if you are staying overnight. http://www.plockton.com/

 

[BenBru]

Thanks so much for the suggestions -- will have a proper read and a think and let you know what I decide. He's 8 BTW and not too concerned with the traction -- rather the scenery and inspiration for his model railway layout.

Ben

 

[Railsigns]

Are Nairn and Forres still mechanically signalled?

Nairn isn't. Forres is (but not for much longer). You can't see much signalling from the present Forres station though, since the crossing loop and signal box are located to the east of the station.

 

[BenBru]

I've been looking at little more at this over the weekend. @BlindTraveler: excellent suggestion on joining at Preston -- Crewe gives me a bit more time in bed! @me123 that's an awesome itinerary but I can't justify the Jacobite. It's the scenery and places rather than traction we're after. Sure it would be wonderful.

I'm getting towards:
- Driving to Crewe, joining the Fort William sleeper
- Arriving Ft William at 0955 -- should I get the bus up to Inverness from here? Rail seems to head back to Glasgow?
- Stay at Inverness sleeper from here to Crewe 0537!!
- Back home and sleep for three days

Thanks, all.

Ben

 

[bradford758]

Yes, there is a Ft William to Inverness bus, direct but scenic.

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[Techniquest]

Don't forget if you do the trip on the Seated Sleeper to Fort William you have to change coaches at Edinburgh, hardly a welcome prospect at silly o'clock in the morning, less so with an 8 year old with you! If you book berths you don't have that issue.

Sounds like a good adventure though, I hope you both enjoy it!

 

[30907]

The problem with using the sleeper both ways, apart from the dreadfully early arrival southbound, is that you get to see hardly any of the Highland rail system.

As you have time to spare, I'd strongly suggest coming south by day train. The overnight stop could be in Inverness or further south, as you prefer, and you have a choice of routes.

The only reason I can see for driving to and from Crewe, and spending a fair whack on parking, is that the lad might sleep in the car - would he actually?

 

[me123]

I've been looking at little more at this over the weekend. @BlindTraveler: excellent suggestion on joining at Preston -- Crewe gives me a bit more time in bed! @me123 that's an awesome itinerary but I can't justify the Jacobite. It's the scenery and places rather than traction we're after. Sure it would be wonderful.

I'm getting towards:
- Driving to Crewe, joining the Fort William sleeper
- Arriving Ft William at 0955 -- should I get the bus up to Inverness from here? Rail seems to head back to Glasgow?
- Stay at Inverness sleeper from here to Crewe 0537!!
- Back home and sleep for three days

Thanks, all.

Ben

There is no rail link from Inverness to Fort William, so it's a bus I'm afraid. Your only options from Fort William by rail are along to Mallaig (highly recommended for the scenery, even if you do go on the Scotrail trains rather than the Jacobite) or back down to Glasgow.

Would definitely be worth exploring the Inverness area by train - you could head up on the Far North Line towards Wick or Kyle of Lochalsh which is also very scenic. It is probably worth spending a night in Inverness and heading North before getting on the sleeper to go back South.

 

[37038]

or train to Mallaig, ferry to Armadale, bus to Kyle (via Broadford/Portree?) and train to Inverness

 

[BenBru]

@30907 -- excellent point

Thanks all and I'll come back to planning later. Will keep you updated.

Thanks

Ben

 

[Bevan Price]

If you have the time (and money), I would suggest staying in Scotland for a few days, which would give you more time to appreciate the scenery. Also I would suggest daytime travel both ways, and getting a rover ticket (which is valid from Carlisle or Berwick northward.)

Location of overnight stops (B&B, etc.) is a matter of personal preference - Inverness, Fort William, Oban, Perth, Pitlochry are a few possibilities.