13 Best Places to Visit in Scotland by Train

Exploring Scotland by train? You’re not limited to cities. As a car-free traveller, trains are my favourite way to get around Scotland. Scenic routes can take you along the coast, through mountain passes and into towns and villages that are easy to explore without a car. 

In this guide, I’m sharing the best places to visit in Scotland by train, based on my own car-free travels. Discover seaside escapes like Oban and Stonehaven, Highland gateways such as Fort William and Aviemore, and even the UK’s most remote station in Corrour. 

I’ve chosen each place for its scenery, ease of access, things to do and journey to get there. They have plenty of walks, history and scenery to enjoy once you step off the train.

If you don’t drive or simply want to experience Scotland through its iconic railways, this list will help you plan. I’ll also share practical tips at the end so you can make the most of travelling around Scotland by train. 

Map of the Best Places to Visit in Scotland by Train

1. Corrour 

Corrour is one of the most iconic places to visit in Scotland by train. Elevated 408m above sea level, it’s the UK’s highest and most remote mainline railway station. It sits on the West Highland Line and is only accessible by train or on foot. The nearest road is 17 miles away. 

Located on the edge of the vast Rannoch Moor, Corrour Station House is surrounded by a 5,700-acre estate comprising untamed moorland and rugged Munros. The tiny platform looks like it’s been dropped in the middle of nowhere. 

The best thing to do in Corrour is to get your boots on and go hiking. There are plenty of scenic hillwalks from the station, like the circuit to Loch Ossian or the out-and-back trail to Rannoch Station. Just make sure you stick to the trails as the moors are boggy. 

After a day on the moors, return to Station House and have dinner at the UK’s most remote restaurant. Book in advance to avoid disappointment, as it’s the only restaurant around. You can also stay the night in the Signal Box next door. 

2. Stonehaven 

Stonehaven is a seaside town on the northeast coast. It’s served by a direct train service from Edinburgh to Aberdeen. You’re treated to stunning views of the North Sea almost the whole way until you reach the town. 

Stonehaven’s biggest claim to fame is Dunnottar Castle, a dramatic ruined castle. Perched on a 160-foot rocky outcrop, the castle’s remaining buildings date back to the 15th and 16th centuries, but it’s thought a fortress has been here since the early Middle Ages. 

You can reach Dunnottar Castle by following the well-marked trail leading you from Stonehaven Harbour and across the clifftops. It soon comes into sight, giving you sublime views of the ruins framed against the North Sea.  

It’s worth buying a ticket to go inside. It’s surprisingly big, offering a glimpse of how it used to be in its heyday. Heads up, the ticket kiosk is card-only.

The train station is on the outskirts of town and involves a 45-minute walk to reach the centre. You might want to book a taxi if you have heavy bags. 

Once you get there, you’re rewarded with pretty views of the harbourfront, quiet sandy beaches and the Tolbooth Museum housed inside a former prison. 

3. Inverness 

Inverness is the UK’s northernmost city, located above the Cairngorms National Park. Regarded as the capital of the Highlands, it’s one of the best bases to explore Scotland without a car, as it’s so well-connected. Trains can take you to the Far North, the West Coast and south to the Cairngorms. 

The small city sits on the coast where the River Ness meets the Moray Firth. It’s well-known for its live music, cosy pubs and fresh seafood. Along the river banks, you’ll find Inverness Cathedral and Inverness Castle on opposite sides. 

Stroll along the river to the Ness Islands, a collection of natural islands joined by footbridges. On one side is the Botanic Garden, which is free to visit. On the other side is Uile-bheist ‘Brewstillery,’ a working distillery and brewery attached to a popular pub. 

In the city centre, there’s an indoor Victorian Market packed with independent shops and places to eat. My favourite place is Leakey’s Bookshop. One of the prettiest bookshops in Scotland, it has stained glass windows and a wood-burning stove. 

If you’re an animal lover, spotting dolphins with Dolphin Spirit Inverness should be high on your list. There’s a pod of about 200 bottlenose dolphins in Chanonry Point. From Inverness, you can also take a bus to Culloden Battlefield and do day tours to Loch Ness. 

4. Glenfinnan 

Located between Fort William and Mallaig, Glenfinnan is on the most scenic stretch of the West Highland Line, one of Scotland’s Great Scenic Railways. 

The tiny hamlet sits at the head of Loch Shiel. Surrounded by rugged mountains, it’s one of the best places to visit in Scotland by train for scenery. 

It’s a dramatic arrival by train from Fort William, as you cross the famous 21-arch viaduct curving round the glen with jaw-dropping views down towards the loch. 

The best view of the Glenfinnan Viaduct is from the viewpoint on the slope above it. It’s a 30-minute walk away from the station. The trail is uneven in places, but well-marked. 

From April to October, you can time your visit to see the iconic Jacobite Steam Train cross the viaduct. Heads up, it gets very busy in the height of summer. It was even packed in April when I was there!

Other things to do in Glenfinnan include admiring the Glenfinnan Monument with its Lone Highlander to remember the highlanders who lost their lives in the Jacobite Rebellion. 

You can cruise Loch Shiel in search of white-tailed eagles, wander around the Glenfinnan Station Museum and have lunch in the vintage train dining car. 

5. Pitlochry

Pitlochry is a picturesque Victorian town on the River Tummel in Perthshire. It’s on the main train line between Edinburgh and Inverness, making it one of the top places to visit by train in Scotland. 

One of the best things to do in Pitlochry is to walk along the top of Pitlochry Dam. The hydroelectric power station has breathtaking views down the river on one side and Loch Faskally on the other. 

It’s free to do and at the side of it is a 310-metre-long fish ladder where you can occasionally spot salmon swimming upriver to spawn. 

Pitlochry is home to Blair Athol Distillery, and you can go and sample a wee dram of scotch. A short walk from the distillery is Black Spout Wood with a waterfall hidden among the trees. 

On the other side of town is Faskally Wood, part of Tay Forest Park. It’s a top place to see autumn foliage in October, and in the evening, the trees are lit up with twinkling lights in a show called the Enchanted Forest. 

About 20 minutes away by bus is Queen’s View, one of the most famous viewpoints in Scotland. It overlooks Loch Tummel and the tree-dotted foothills of Schiehallion.

6. Aviemore 

Aviemore is the largest town in the Cairngorms National Park and a key base for exploring the Scottish Highlands without a car. It’s about an hour south of Inverness by train and on the same line as Pitlochry. 

The station is right on the main high street. From here, you can take the Strathspey Railway steam train to Boat of Garten and Broomhill for a fun family day out. 

I like to use Aviemore as a jumping-off point to explore the Cairngorms. Outside the station, the number 30 bus can take you all the way up to Cairngorm Mountain. 

It’s a popular ski resort in winter. In summer, you can go tubing, mountain biking and hiking. Ride the Mountain Railway to the summit for panoramic views. 

Glenmore Visitor Centre is just before the mountain. Jump off here and explore Loch Morlich, set within Glenmore Forest Park. It’s home to the highest beach in Britain. There’s a campsite and boathouse where you can hire kayaks and paddleboards. 

Glenmore is also where you’ll find the Cairngorm Reindeer Herd visitor centre. You can meet Scotland’s only free-roaming reindeer herd on a hill trip or a paddock visit. Book tickets in advance as it’s very popular. 

7. Fort William  

Located on Loch Linnhe, Fort William is the main town in the West Highlands. Regarded as the ‘Outdoor Capital of the UK,’ it sits at the foot of Ben Nevis, the UK’s tallest mountain. 

The town is located on the West Highland Line from Glasgow to Mallaig, one of the best scenic train rides in Scotland. It’s also served by the Caledonian Sleeper that runs through the night from London, so it’s a top place to start your Highland adventure. 

Fort William is a hiking hotspot. It’s the starting point for the Great Glen Way up to Inverness and the finish line for the West Highland Way. These are two of Scotland’s most iconic long-distance walks. 

In the summer, take the 20-minute bus to Glen Nevis, an ancient glacier-carved valley home to Steall Falls. It’s Scotland’s second-largest waterfall. 

If you don’t fancy climbing Ben Nevis but still want the views, take the Nevis Range Mountain Gondola to the summit of Aonach Mòr, the eighth highest peak in Britain.

8. Blair Atholl 

Blair Atholl is a tiny village in Perthshire on the train line linking Edinburgh with Inverness. It’s a stop above Pitlochry on the outskirts of the Cairngorms, so you can easily travel between them. 

The sleepy little village is set on the edge of Blair Castle & Gardens, a 220-acre estate and ancestral home of the Duke of Atholl.  

The grand, white-washed stately home you see today was built in the 1700s and 1800s, but the oldest parts of the castle date back to 1269. 

Inside is decorated in the 18th-century Scottish baronial style with personal artefacts belonging to the succession of dukes and duchesses. 

The castle gardens are prime for spotting red squirrels scampering among the trees, and in summer, you can feed the resident red deer. 

A short bus ride from the castle is the House of Bruar, a high-end department store with country clothing, gourmet food and the poshest toilets in the Highlands. 

Behind the car park are the Falls of Bruar, a series of waterfalls with a steep gorge on either side. The dramatic views and thundering falls make it worth the bus journey! 

9. Oban  

Located on Scotland’s west coast, Oban is the gateway to the Inner and Outer Hebrides. The resort town is at the end of the West Highland Line with direct services from Glasgow, so it’s one of the best places to visit in Scotland by train. 

Oban is the seafood capital of Scotland. There’s everything from high-end dining to award-winning fish and chips serving up the fresh catch of the day. My favourite place is the casual Green Shack with seafood platters and huge crab sandwiches. 

At the port, you can take the Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) ferry to Craignure on the Isle of Mull, as well as the Isles of Barra, Coll and Lismore. There are also day tours to Staffa, Fingal’s Cave, Iona and the Treshnish Isles, which are a hotspot for seasonal puffins.  

High up on the hill above the town is the 19th-century McCaig’s Tower, which has panoramic views of Oban Bay and the distant islands beyond. It’s free to visit. 

At the bottom of the hill, you’ll find Oban Distillery, and if you walk along the harbourfront promenade, you’ll come to the ruins of Dunollie Castle, the ancestral seat of Clan MacDougall. 

10. Plockton 

Described as the ‘Jewel of the Highlands,’ Plockton is a tiny village on the Kyle Line, which links Inverness with Kyle of Lochalsh. Its whitewashed houses line the shores of a sheltered bay on Loch Carron, making it one of the prettiest villages in Scotland. 

A conservation village, Plockton has a carefully preserved traditional Highland heritage, save for the slightly surprising palm trees growing in the sea-facing gardens. 

Despite its size, there is a good range of restaurants, independent shops and places to stay. The best thing to do is stroll along the harbour and promenade. Boat tours of the sea loch give you the chance to see seals and dolphins. You can also go kayaking and sailing. 

One of my favourite viewpoints is Carn na Frith-aird. This one-hour trail on Walkhighlands ascends a rocky slope from the village and rewards you with stunning views of the Cuillin Mountains on the Isle of Skye as well as Applecross. 

11. Stirling 

Located in the Central Belt, Stirling is a small city with over 900 years of history. It’s one of the best places to visit in Scotland by train from Edinburgh or Glasgow, as you can do it as a car-free day trip. 

Nicknamed ‘Little Edinburgh,’ Stirling has a historic centre with cobblestone streets and a medieval castle perched on the volcanic crags above it. 

The magnificent castle you see today was built between 1490 and 1600, but there have been fortifications here since the early 1100s. Step inside and see the childhood home of Mary Queen of Scots, with well-preserved features like the Royal Palace and the Great Hall. 

On the other side of the city is the National Wallace Monument rising above the landscape on the Abbey Craig outcrop. 

The 67m tower was built to commemorate Sir William Wallace, who beat the English in the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297. Climb 297 steps to the Crown for breathtaking views across the Forth Valley. 

12. Balloch  

Located on the south-west shores of Loch Lomond, Balloch is less than an hour by train from Glasgow. It’s an easy base to explore the loch and the surrounding national park without a car. 

From Balloch, you can catch the bus to the conservation village of Luss at the foot of Beinn Dubh with its jaw-dropping views overlooking Loch Lomond. You can also take a bus to Balmaha and climb Conic Hill, one of the most popular short walks in Scotland. 

Loch cruises by Sweeney’s Cruise Co depart from the town, and you can see owls and eagles at the Bird of Prey Centre near Loch Lomond Shores. 

Don’t miss the Maid of the Loch on the pier. It was the last paddle steamer built in the UK, and you can buy a ticket to explore inside.  

On the other side of the River Leven lies Balloch Castle & Country Park. The castle is tiny and not much to look at. It’s closed except for the public toilets. The park is lovely, though. Stroll along the loch’s shore or look for the secret walled garden. 

13. North Berwick 

One of the most beautiful towns in Scotland, North Berwick, is located on the east coast. It’s less than an hour away by train from Edinburgh.

It’s a popular day trip from the city, as it has sandy beaches, a golf course, independent boutiques and excellent cafes. I recommend picking up freshly-roasted coffee at Steampunk, a specialty coffee roastery. 

Down by the harbour is the Scottish Seabird Centre. It offers RIB boat trips to nearby Bass Rock, a volcanic offshore monolith home to the world’s largest population of Northern gannets. You can see the rock from the mainland, glowing white with guano. 

I was lucky enough to see basking seals during my trip. Pack a waterproof jacket for this, as you get the odd sea spray while bumping over the waves. Fun, though! 

Outside the seabird centre are the ruins of St Andrews Church. It’s here that 200 men and women were accused of dancing with the devil to summon a storm to kill the king in 1590, sparking one of the most infamous witch trials in Scottish history. 

If you fancy a walk with a view, climb up The Law, a conical hill rising above the town, or keep it relaxed with a stroll down to the beach with some baked goodies. My favourite is West Bay Beach. It’s more sheltered, and the sand is cleaner. 

Top tips for using the train in Scotland

Book in advance 

Save money on rail travel by booking tickets in advance. Tickets are available up to 12 weeks in advance, and you can get them directly on ScotRail via the app or online. 

You could also use Trainline, Omio, TrainPal or Rail Europe. I compare prices across booking platforms to find the cheapest tickets. Your booking will either have a digital ticket or a code to print out your ticket at the station machines. 

Unlike trains in England, Scotland has done away with peak and off-peak fares. Anytime day singles and returns cost the same as off-peak tickets, but you aren’t restricted by what time of day you can travel. 

This is to incentivise more people to use the train, as part of the Scottish Government’s goal to reach net zero. 

Use railcards and passes 

Tourists are eligible to get a third off train fares with railcards. These include Two Together, 16-25, 26-30, Senior, Disabled and Family & Friends. 

You’ll need to buy it separately in advance of your Scotland by rail adventure. I’ve noticed that railcards don’t always save you money on shorter journeys when the price is already low. Railcards are only really worth it if you save more than the £35 you’d spend on them, so calculate the cost of your rail fare before you buy one.

If you’re planning on doing a lot of train travel, you could get a ScotRail travel pass, like the Spirit of Scotland. To be honest, I don’t tend to go for this option as they have quite a few restrictions on when and where to go. I prefer more flexibility!

Reserve seats

Some train lines are busy, so if you want a guaranteed place to sit, I recommend reserving seats. 

I’ve found the West Highland Line from Glasgow to Oban to be pretty packed, as well as the line from Edinburgh to Inverness. There are always people standing or sitting by the doors. 

Lots of travellers use these lines, which means huge suitcases and bikes. There is special bike storage on board, but you’ll need to reserve it. 

Luggage storage is available at either end of each carriage and on the rack above the seats. If possible, pack on the lighter side. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself!

Use my itineraries 

Wondering how to get to Scotland by train? All my travel itineraries are based around rail journeys. 

My 10-day itinerary by train takes you from Edinburgh to Glasgow through the Central and West Highlands. I also have a one-week itinerary which uses a mix of trains, buses and small group tours. 

If you prefer to tour Scotland by train, check out Byway. They specialise in bespoke self-guided train itineraries.

And if you’re travelling up from England, I’ve written a post ranking my favourite trains from London to Edinburgh. Spoiler alert, there is a clear winner and loser!

Final Thoughts on Where to Go in Scotland by Train 

You don’t have to stick to cities when you’re travelling around Scotland without a car. There are so many accessible towns and villages that immerse you in Scotland’s beauty. And they’re accessible by train! 

In Scotland, the train journey is part of the travel experience. Sit back and watch rugged mountains and vast coastlines slide past your window before arriving at your destination. 

Use Traveline Scotland to plan your journeys. It’s the most accurate journey planner for public transport, and essential for getting to the best places to visit in Scotland by train. 

If you need a hand navigating public transport, make sure you read my guide to visiting Scotland without a car. It’ll tell you everything you need to know. 

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