The thought of a great Scottish rail journey is something many of us have been looking forward to during the long lockdown. The Far North Line – now that sounds like an adventure route into the wilds, doesn’t it?
Even stepping onboard feels like going back in time. Electric trains haven’t reached the Highlands yet, so all the trains on the Far North Line are diesel-powered.
As you pull out of Inverness, across the Black Isle and the natural harbour of the Dornoch Firth, you are entering castle country and the line goes right past the doorsteps of Foulis, Skibo, Dunrobin and Carbisdale castles.
Glenmorangie Distillery and the Black Isle Brewery make excellent pit stops, before the line drops down to the east-facing Moray Firth coast. Here, you are almost right on the beach, with amazing views out to sea.
There are many picturesque coastal villages and towns to stop in and explore – like Helmsdale, perched on one of the most productive salmon rivers in Scotland. At the village of Latheronwheel the line cuts inland for the final stretch across the country to the most northern station in the UK, Thurso.
Built in the 1300s, Dunrobin resembles a French chateau in appearance and is one of Britain’s oldest continuously inhabited houses. Located just north of Dornoch, it was home to the Clan Sutherland and was used as a naval hospital during the First World War.
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