Inverness Castle and the River Ness
Inverness to Thurso & Wick by rail
The far north of Scotland is home to unspoiled landscapes perfect for a relaxing break, but it's still easy to get there by train. Trains run north from Inverness to Thurso and onto Wick in just four and a half hours. Use the Spirit of Scotland Travel Pass on the Far North Line, which gets you four-days of unlimited travel over eight consecutive days for £149, or eight-days unlimited travel over fifteen consecutive days for £189.
- Start / Finish
- North Highlands / Wick
- Days3
- Distance128Miles204.8km
- TransportTrain
- Main themeSightseeing
- Highlights
- Scenery
- Whisky distilleries
- Romantic castles
- Areas covered
- North
Day 1Dingwall & Invergordon
After leaving Inverness Rail Station, the train sweeps along the southern bank of the Beauly Firth.
Far North Line stops to get off and explore:
- the charming village of Beauly
- Dingwall, a market town which sits at the head of the Cromarty Firth
- Invergordon, the mural town of the Highlands
Dingwall North Highlands
The pedestrianised main street through Dingwall, with the clock tower of the town hall visible.
© VisitScotland / Paul Tomkins
Look out forDingwall Museum sits in the town's most striking building, which has a central tolbooth tower dating back to 1730.
Dingwall has been an important place in the Highlands, ever since the arrival of the Vikings in Scotland in 800 AD. It has an ideal position at the head of the Cromarty Firth which has seen it prosper from the North Sea oil boom.
Dingwall is a quaint market borough, thanks to its attractive High Street lined with red-sandstone buildings and excellent cafés and shops.
Find out more about DingwallNorth Highlands,IV15 9JDInvergordon Invergordon
Art mural at Invergordon Off the Wall.
Invergordon in Sutherland is a former naval base and stopping point for cruise passengers coming into the Highlands. The town has become an outdoor art gallery thanks to a local collective called Invergordon Off the wall. On the side of several buildings you'll find large bright murals illustrating the social and industrial heritage of Invergordon.
Explore InvergordonInvergordon,Invergordon,IV18 0AE
Day 2Tain to Dunrobin Castle
The Far North Line moves towards the coast now, heading along the Dornoch Firth as far as Culrain and across the Kyle of Sutherland. You'll then head inland again through endless expanses of rolling farmland. At the last moment, the line veers east again to meet the North Sea.
This part of the route is lined with several rural town stations, all great to explore. Look out for Scotland's oldest Royal Burgh, pretty villages and romantic castles.
Tain Tain
Looking over to the 11th green and two golfers with their clubs on the golf course at Tain.
© Glyn Satterley, all rights reserved.
Tain is a scenic and historic town, renowned for its 18-hole links golf course designed by Tom Morris. The town has amazing 19th century architecture including the Tain Tolbooth, Royal Hotel and St Duthac's Church. It's also home to Glenmorangie Distillery.
Stop off and explore TainTain,IV20 1SDCulrain Culrain
Culrain
The west entrance of the delightful Carbisdale Woods sits just outside Culrain, and has lovely views of the Kyle of Sutherland, as well as the Dornoch Firth.
Take the leisurely footpath into the Kyle of Sutherland via a footbridge to Invershin, where there are bus services available to and from Lairg, Bonar Bridge, Ardgay and Tain.
A little further west of Culrain is a hamlet called Hilton. From there you can walk or cycle via forest tracks to Ardgay and into the delightful Strathcarron.
Visit the small village of CulrainRogart Rogart
A family exploring the sea loch of Loch Fleet.
© VisitScotland / Luigi Di Pasquale
Something a bit differentSleeperzzz is a first-class train carriage that has been converted into a family-friendly hostel.
Rogart sits beside Loch Fleet National Nature Reserve and Balblair Wood.
A haven for all kinds of indigenous species from deer to pine martens, take the circular walk hugging the shoreline, inhaling the fragrant Scots pine-scented air while gazing at distant mountain views.
Many more shy creatures can also be found in the enchanted Balblair Wood among shady glades, and clearings carpeted with wildflowers and berries. It also offers a playground for mountain bikers with two waymarked cycle paths filled with plenty of twists and turns.
Find out more about RogartDunrobin Castle Golspie
Dunrobin Castle
© VisitScotland / Paul Tomkins
Did you know?Dunrobin Castle is also one of Britain's oldest continuously inhabited houses dating back to the early 1300s, and was home to the Earls and, later, the Dukes of Sutherland.
The magnificent Dunrobin Castle is the largest house in the Highlands. Crowned with a myriad of fairytale towers and turrets, Dunrobin is unique for resembling a vast French château rather than the baronial stronghold typical of the Highlands. It has a whopping 189 rooms, making it one of the biggest homes in the country.
Its lavishly furnished interior, sprawling formal gardens, and grounds which stretch as far as the sea, are nothing short of breathtaking. It's even said to have a ghost...
Visit Dunrobin CastleDunrobin,Golspie,KW10 6SF
Day 3Helmsdale to Wick
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