Welcome to John and Kate's guide to exploring the beautiful Highlands by train (and sometimes bus or ferry)!
Travelling by train you will enjoy some of the most scenic train journeys in Scotland, if not the world. Experience bustling cities to picturesque villages, famous castles, distilleries, breathtaking countryside and more.
It is entirely possible, and often preferable, to have a car-free holiday. Maybe you are travelling by car but would like a day trip by train.
Below are selected highlights, for the full range of destinations see the main menu.
Picturesque locations on the River Tay, home of Beatrix Potter attractions, Dunkeld Cathedral, and glorious walks
Thriving and popular town on the River Tummel, home of the Salmon Ladder and Blair Athol Distillery
Enchanting village, home of the magnificent Blair Castle & Gardens, and a rare operational watermill
Busy and popular town used as a base to explore the Cairngorms National Park and Strathspey Steam Railway
Capital of the Highlands on the River Ness, home of Inverness Castle and Inverness Cathedral
Castles, distilleries, quaint villages and more, including Urquhart Caste and Loch Ness, and Culloden Battlefield
Attractive and popular large village on the River Beauly with independent shops and Beauly Priory
(From Tain) Picturesque and popular village, with Dornoch Cathedral, Dornoch Beach and Dornoch Links Golf Club
Fairytale castle with formal gardens, museum, falconry and its own private train station
Remote hamlet in the heart of The Flow Country with an RSPB Reserve Visitor Centre and viewing tower
Most northerly town, with sandy beaches and nearby Castle and Gardens of Mey, ferry link to Orkney
Picturesque village famous for its palm trees and beautiful location on a sheltered bay warmed by the Gulf Stream
Small west coast village, the Gateway to Skye and home of Skye Bridge and nearby Eilean Donan Castle
Beautiful and unique set of remote islands packed with history including neolithic archaeology and Norse and Viking past
Popular resort town known as the seafood capital of Scotland, with 'Gateway to the Isles' ferry port, and nearby castles
The busiest hamlet in Scotland, famous for the Glenfinnan Viaduct and Glenfinnan Monument
Busy fishing port with boat trips, Heritage Centre, and ferries to the Isle of Skye and the Small Isles
Scenic journey by steam train from Fort William to Mallaig, travelling over the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct
Scenic journey through the heart of the Cairngorms National Park and along the River Spey
Bus route: Peaceful peninsular including a historic cathedral, dolphin spotting, sandy beaches, and the idyllic historic town of Cromarty
Popular island with magnificent scenery of mountains and lochs, capital Portree and connections to Raasay, North Uist and Harris
Coach route: Tranquil villages of Poolewe, home of Inverewe Gardens, and Gairloch in the North West Highlands, both inlets of the North Atlantic Ocean
Collection of islands off the west coast stretching for around 130 miles: Lewis and Harris, North Uist, Benbecula, South Uist, Eriskay and Barra
Collection of islands off the west coast including the Small Isles, Mull and Iona, Lismore, Colonsay, Coll and Tiree