Plockton, on the shores of Loch Carron, in the Scottish Highlands (photo © Stefano Valeri / dreamstime.com).

17th edition: Cathedrals, castles and glens (Route 2)

From London to the Scottish Highlands

Route introduction

If there is one rail journey which has consistently fired the English imagination, it is the ride from London to the Scottish Highlands. We’ll cover over a thousand kilometres by train, travelling via York, Edinburgh and Inverness to reach Kyle of Lochalsh on the west coast of Scotland. Along the way, we’ll take in several great cathedrals, the Scottish capital and some very fine mountain landscapes including the Cairngorms National Park.

Countries covered
England Scotland

MAP Double click on the map (or double tap on mobile) to zoom in. You can connect onto other routes in places shown in red. Change to a layer showing a more familiar road map view by clicking on the menu at the top right of the map. Get back to the original view by clicking on the house icon shown in the top left menu on the map.

Europe by Rail: The Definitive Guide

Whether you are making a long grand tour or just planning a couple of weekend breaks, Europe by Rail is the perfect guide. The book describes 50 key routes in detail. Together, they span mainland Europe and the British Isles. Find out more about the guidebook below.

The new, fully updated 17th edition of the definitive guide to exploring Europe by rail was published on 12 April 2022. With tips on ticketing, fares and accommodation, Europe by Rail has become the definitive guide to exploring Europe by train. Read here the book's word of welcome.
Europe by Rail contains all that's necessary to plan your rail journey through Europe: 50 route descriptions, a country gazetteer, rail connections, information on Eurail and Interrail passes and more.
The 17th edition of Europe by Rail: The Definitive Guide was published on 12 April 2022. You can get hold of a copy in any good bookshop. Here, we list a few additional places where you can buy the book.