Looking for wide open spaces, wild nature and mystical castles? From the breathtaking cliffs of the Isle of Skye to the endless moors of the Highlands, from the medieval streets of Edinburgh to the street art of Glasgow, Scotland is a spectacular destination to explore by train. With some of the most beautiful scenic lines in Europe (including the legendary West Highland Line), it's the perfect playground for a low-carbon, slow-paced and grandiose adventure.
Thanks to Eurostar and rail connections in London, you can reach Edinburgh or Glasgow in just 4 to 5 hours with one of the three companies operating the daytime service. Not only do these options considerably reduce carbon footprint but it's also a great way to get to Scotland in style. slow travel enjoying the magnificent scenery along the way. Another magical option is to travel by night in a sleeper train thanks to Caledonian Sleeper which serves Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Fort William and a host of Scottish towns.
The simplest route (and 100% rail):
Long-distance trains between London and Scotland are operated by :
There is also a night train :
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The Caledonian Sleeper: travel to Scotland by night train from London
Once on site, the Scotland's rail network makes it easy to discover the Highlands, lochs, islands and national parks... while leaving the car behind. This takes the stress out of driving on the left, and allows you to enjoy the scenery in peace. Scenic routes like the West Highland Line (to Fort William and Mallaig) offer unforgettable journeys through some of the country's most iconic vistas. Finally, rail travel in the land of Highlands also saves you money. We were able to compare this option with the electric car road trip which can also be a nice option, but when it comes to budget, there's no contest!
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Scotland's most beautiful train journeys
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Harry Potter fans beware: here's a turnkey tour to explore the world of Harry Potter by train! Thanks to this legendary loop through the UK (and Scotland in particular), you'll find yourself at the heart of the film's sets and in the footsteps of J.K. Rowling.
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Scotland by train, in the footsteps of our favorite heroes (Harry Potter, Indiana Jones, Rebelle...)
To help you organize your train trip to Scotland, we've put together a 7-day tour from Paris but also since Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseille, Nice and Toulouse. And if you have more time, you will also find a circuit of 10 days and 15 days from these 6 cities (see bottom of page). In each case, we've tried to include the following main points of interest:
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Discover Scotland by train: the ultimate guide (7, 10 and 15-day tours)
The most interesting pass for an itinerant trip :
👉 Ideal for combining Highlands + islands + big cities.
Often interesting if you combine England + Scotland.
⚠️ Railcards generally pay for themselves after 1 or 2 long-distance trips.
This guide is produced in partnership with the tourism office:
