This has to be right up there with my most memorable rail journeys anywhere. Join me as I take the train from Inverness all the way up to Thurso via the stunning Far North Line. Scotrail really have one of the most scenic, beautiful rail journeys here on the east coast of Scotland with the line skirting lochs, beaches and mountains whilst passing through some of the most remote areas of the British Isles.
I’ll show you lots of views from the window, we’ll have a look at the train itself, the facilities onboard and, of course, I’ll tell you how much it costs and how you can do it yourself. Believe me, it’s a trip you’ll want to take and I think everyone should do it at least once in their lifetime. It’s taken me 55 years!!
Thanks as always guys for taking the time to watch my videos. All likes, comments, subs are massively appreciated and help me along on this journey to bring you everyday travel experiences everyone can have a go at.
Cheers for now.
Mark
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📖Chapters
00:00 – Introduction
02:02 – Inverness to Golspie
09:16 – Onboard facilities
10:24 – Golspie to Helmsdale
12:15 – Loo review
13:32 – Helmsdale to Thurso
19:37 – Summary
Picture Credits:
Route map: OpenStreetMap (annotated)
https://www.openstreetmap.org/
35 Comments
Love how speechless you were at the end there Mark. There are no words other than stunning tbh. Myself and the wife did this 7 years ago and will probably do it again for sure! Cheers
OK, that's now on the list for my next UK trip. And I'll bring a cloth for the window!
Nice vid, informative, great scenery keep em coming thrown you a like. o7…..
It's astonishing that there are hardly any trees along the route. It was once covered in trees. Also, take a station like Dingwall … none of the local people got together to put a few planters on the platform to make it more attractive. None of the local people care. Brutal lives.
Northern most railway station in Scotland !! 👍
Congratulations, great content.
Fantastic video, just after the caption for River Helmsdale, the train went through a station but didnt stop, just out of interest what was the name ofvthat station please
Thurso is pronounced Thurzo. Don't want to upset the Gollocks do we!
Very relaxing.
Ive done this journey by motorbike and train in the 90s!
Did this trip with my husband back in the 90s. We started in Nottingham actually and made it to Thurso at night. It was wonderful. We stayed in Thurso for a few nights and visited Scrabster, Wick and somewhere else I can’t remember. It was a cold time of year and rained a lot. Glad I did it, though.
A great little video that really captures the beautiful scenery. I stayed near Forsinard last September and watched the train pass each day. You’ve inspired me to do the trip myself. You were very lucky with the weather 🌞.
Well done and thanks.
Thank you for inviting me on this trip to nothern Scotland, wonderful! Best wishes from Germany.
What a great video. I’ll even forgive you some of your pronunciations.😂 Nicely done.👍
Don’t kid yourself ! I’ve travelled many times on ScotRail and it’s the absolute pits !
I know it's too late as the video is made, but it's pronounced croh-mar-ty, said very quickly, and coh-non bridge, good job nailing Ardgay though, that always catches people out.
Magic trip, thanks. Cheers from Oz
Thank for a great video. I made this trip two weeks ago going from Newbury via friends in Inverness and onto Wick by train. It was a slightly mad trip as the whole return on the train was over four days. However, the stunning scenery made the train trip absolutely unforgettable. Also very emotional as my forebears came from this area. 😊
Speaking as someone who lives more or less on the route, it’s certainly very pretty but it’s preposterously slow. Nothing could better illustrate the lack of investment in our transport infrastructure than the fact that in 2023 a journey of this length should take nearly four hours. Hardly surprising that it’s underused.
Just watched Inverness to Thurso. Really enjoyed the video. Made the trip myself back in the 1970/1980 many times. Remember the Inverness station for its steak sandwiches – used to detour to the station even when I drove up from Warrington. In those days the train would slow down to throw out the mail and daily papers :). Was especially pleased to see that Forsinard Station still existed – used to stay at the Forsinard Lodge as it is known today – Mrs O'Brian (the cook) made fantastic Cheese souffles. Used to stay at "The Royal Hotel" in Thurso – quite a (pleasant) experience. Many thanks for the video.
miss the place…
Georgemas Junction is were they loading nuclear material from Dounreay to Sellafield, as well as pipes for the pipeline for gas and oil from the North Sea.
I did this in 1965. I was going to work at Dounreay nuclear power station for 6 months as part of my university course. A gorgeous journey. In those days it was Mk 1 carriages & type 2 diesel locos and the train used to divide at Georgemas Junction with 2 coaches going to Thurso. Of course, you had to get on the right ½ of the train. 😉
I’ve been on the Far North line twice, and both times it’s been one of the best experiences of my entire life. There’s nothing like it, lovely trains, breathtaking scenery, a must do for everyone, not just those into travelling
We went on this line in September 2011. Catching the first train out of Inverness (no trolley!) meant we could catch the bus to John O'Groats, spend 90 minutes there, and then reverse the journey! It was a very long day, but well worth it. We enjoyed the same weather as you did, but probably a bit warmer! Did you see any seals on the beach near Helmsdale?
The next day, we went to Kyle on the train and caught the coach across to Skye for lunch in Portree. Another very long day – we were a lot younger then!!
Another really enjoyable video Mark. I could see how much it meant to you.
Glad you enjoyed it mate!
The people of the UK are appreciating there own country a lot more,thanks to the "You-tubers" and their great Vlogs (like this one)
The English are definetly coming up to Scotland more these days wether on holiday or to live and its good to see!
A fabulous video stunning views .
An English man in Scotland. Your very unwelcome
Try travelling thru the Canadian Rockies or the Konkan railways in Western India
I have personally done this line and it’s fantastic.
Very long but extremely scenic
Fantastic trip. I don't know why but the fact that there was a Premier Inn at the end would be the icing on the cake for me. Great views, really want to do it myself.
Wonderful video. Scotland is so beautiful.
Love ur videos. I live in Belfast NI. U should do some bus or train journeys over here.
Great video, doing this run at the beginning of October from Inverness and staying at the Premier inn at Thurso too, thanks for the useful tips😊