A ‘rail renaissance’ has seen holidaymakers increasingly swapping planes for trains of late, opting for breathtaking views and a slower journey over airports and stress.
If you’re looking for something a little closer to home, the UK’s most remote railway adventure might prove tempting – and it takes approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes.
The Far North Line is the northernmost railway journey in the UK, covering 26 stations across 168 miles of Scotland and stretching from Inverness up to Thurso and Wick.
The service has been chugging along since 1862, when the Inverness to Ardgay route opened. It was finally completed in 1874, with the launch of the Sutherland to Caithness line.
In true old-fashioned style, there are still seven request stops along the line – including Culrain, Dunrobin Castle, Invershin, Kildonan, Kinbrace, Rogart, and Scotscalder.
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But be warned: if you want to get off here, you’ll need to remember to push the button (Alexa, play Sugababes) as early as possible – ideally 20 minutes before the train’s designated arrival time.
If it hasn’t been done at least five minutes before, then it won’t be stopping at all, so remember to set an alarm if you want to risk a nap along the way.
Tickets are relatively affordable too, with a single fare between Inverness and Wick costing anywhere between £28 on the day to around £16.60 further in advance.
Posting over on the r/uktrains Subreddit, various users described the Far North Line as the ‘most scenic train route’ in the UK.
Other honourable mentions went to the Carlisle to Settle line, which cuts right through the middle of the Yorkshire Dales, as well as the Cumbrian Coast Line, and the Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth service.
On X, formerly Twitter, @IanBeardsley90 recently took his first trip on the Far North Line in approximately 20 years. He was ‘surprised at how quiet the trains were,’ and noted that the ‘scenery is stunningly beautiful.’
And for The Piddly Stations Guy (@PiddlyStations), the Far North Line is instantly lovable.
‘8 trains a day. Serving some remote middle of nowhere communities,’ he wrote. ‘It’ll never be Thameslink or Castlefield corridor, but it’s there for a reason.’
Things to do along the Far North Line
Naturally, there are plenty of stunning sights to see along the way – including the Flow Country, which is the world’s first and only peatland UNESCO World Heritage Site. This particular peat bog is the largest in Europe and covers a whopping 4,000 square kilometres.
You’ll also pass Skibo Castle, Carbisdale Castle, and even Dunrobin Castle – which is still the seat of the Earls and Dukes of Sutherland.
If you want to stop off here before you get back on, all you need to do is show your train ticket to get discounted entry.
Thinking about splitting up the journey and taking it a little slower? Visit Scotland recommends taking three days to visit the ‘unspoiled’ landscapes, suggesting departing Inverness on the first day and stopping off at Dingwall and then Invergordon.
From then, there’s the option of taking the Far North Line from Tain to Dunrobin Castle.
This part of the route is inundated with villages, castles, and even Scotland’s oldest Royal Burgh. And if you’re that way inclined, Tain is famous for its 18-hole golf course, as well as the Glenmorangie Distillery.
On the final day following the line, which suggests travelling from Helmsdale to Wick, the final few stops include Forsinard (which is in the heart of the boggy peatland) and of course, Thurso and Wick.
Thinking about making the journey? It’s about to become a lot more swish, as Network Rail has confirmed it’ll be investing £11,500,000 towards improving the line this June.
The money will refurbish a five-mile section of track between Brora and Helmsdale and replace close to nine miles between Invergordon and Fearn.
That said though, the line will be closed between Sunday, June 8 and Monday, June 30 – and no trains will be running north of Dingwall.
Want to experience the UK’s longest train journey?
Spanning 13 hours and 20 minutes and 36 stops, the Aberdeen to Penzance route covers a whopping 785 miles of terrain – and, first introduced in 1921, has been running for more than 100 years.
But now, it’s almost the end of the line, as CrossCountry has confirmed that as part of amendments to the timetable, the service is being scrapped.
With just a couple of weeks left to grab a seat, the last service is scheduled for May 16, and the new timetable comes into place on May 18.
Europe’s eight most beautiful train routes to travel in 2025
- Settle to Carlisle, UK (duration: 1 hour 40 minutes)
- The Bernina Express, Switzerland and Italy (4 hours 30 minutes)
- The Bergensbanen, Norway (6 hours 30 minutes)
- The Caledonian Sleeper, UK (12 hours 45 minutes)
- The Glacier Express, Switzerland (8 hours)
- Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (Two days)
- Nova Gorica to Jesenice, Slovenia (2 hours 30 minutes)
- Cannes to Menton, France (1 hour 20 minutes).
Source: Lonely Planet.
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