Whether you have no car, are trying to minimise your impact on the environment, or are just looking to save the stress of driving and instead enjoy the comfort of relaxing on a train rather than face driving home with tired legs, Scotland’s railways can help you reach some truly superb walks in comfort. Following on from last year’s article, we’ve selected another ten great walks you can reach using our railways, scattered all around the country. This article was sponsored by ScotRail, Scotland’s rail operator.
Plockton Explorer, Plockton
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This short walk explores what is one of Scotland’s most picturesque villages. Plockton has enjoyed a starring role on both TV (Hamish MacBeth) and film (The Wicker Man). Our ‘explorer’ walk takes in the bay, the beautiful cottages with their palm trees, and a fine viewpoint looking out to the Applecross mountains and the Isle of Skye.
Get on track
Plockton has its own railway station, on the renowned Kyle of Lochalsh line. There are usually four trains a day between Inverness (or Dingwall), to Kyle of Lochalsh, in each direction. From the station it’s about a ten minute walk down Innes Street to reach the village centre and the start of the walk.
Ben Vrackie, Pitlochry
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Ben Vrackie is indelibly associated with the bustling town of Pitlochry at its foot, and has for long been an extremely popular half day hillwalk for those visiting the area. The summit is a superb viewpoint over a vast swathe of Highland Perthshire, and the ascent follows good paths through woodland and open moorland, passing picturesque Loch a’ Choire.
Get on track
Trains to Pitlochry are most convenient for day trips for those living in Perth or Inverness, but there are also direct trains from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Stirling so why not plan a weekend? Our walk description begins from the hamlet of Moulin, reached by heading up West Moulin Road for a kilometre.
Clashmach Hill, Huntly
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Clashmach Hill is an open ridge lying just southwest of the town of Huntly in Aberdeenshire. This modest hill doesn’t feature on any ‘bagging’ lists, which means that you will most likely to get to enjoy the extensive summit views all to yourself. The route back down to the town is a little rougher. Be sure to visit the town afterwards – it has an attractive main square, interesting shops and cafes, and a stunning ruined castle.
Get on track
Huntly is on the Aberdeen to Inverness railway line across the northeast of Scotland, and can be visited from either city. From the station, head along Bogie Street and Duke Street to reach the square, then head along Gordon Street to reach the start of the described walk at Market Muir.
Forsinard Flows and Tower, Forsinard
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This short walk is truly unique – it gives a fascinating introduction to the Forsinard Flows National Nature Reserve, deep in the Flow Country. The trail crosses the blanket bog on a wooden walkway to visit a spectacular modern tower structure overlooking this remarkable landscape and habitat. The walk then continues along an older trail of placed flagstones to visit more of the Dubh Lochan pools, rich with bird, plant and insect life.
Get on track
The walk is described from Forsinard Station, one of the most remote on the entire rail network; it is on the North Highland Line that links Inverness with Wick and Thurso. The station buildings house the visitor centre for the RSPB-managed nature reserve.
Glenfinnan Viaduct walk, Glenfinnan
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The Harry Potter movies have ensured that the spectacular viaduct at Glenfinnan has become one of the most famous sites on Scotland’s railways. In recent years a superb circular walking route has been created, that enables you to visit the base of the arches of this magnficent structure, and climb high above it for memorable views over Loch Shiel.
Get on track
Glenfinnan Station is on the West Highland Line between Fort William and Mallaig. It is right on the circular walk route at Stage 4 – so you can pick up our route description at that point. The station houses a quirky museum, and there are vintage passenger carriages which today serve as a cafe and a hostel.
Fife Coastal Path: North Queensferry to Burntisland
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Linking the Forth and Tay Estuaries, the Fife Coastal Path runs for over 183km around the coastline of the Kingdom, visiting some of Scotland’s most picturesque former fishing villages. Its easy accessibility from the central belt has helped it become one of the most popular walking routes in the country. This stage – starting under the iconic Forth Rail Bridge, passes the habour and art galleries of Aberdour en route to the town of Burntisland, which has the largest beach in Fife.
Get on track
This linear walk links the rail stations at North Queensferry and Burntisland, making it an ideal choice for rail travellers whether based in Edinburgh, Dundee, Perth or any of the towns of Fife itself.
Ben Cruachan, Falls of Cruachan
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Mighty Ben Cruachan is one of the finest Munros in the southern Highlands, its jagged peaks and rocky ridges making for a spectacular and challenging mountain walk. The full ridge walk to Stob Dàimh (misspelt Diamh on some OS maps) makes for a classic circuit passing high above the Cruachan reservoir, You’ll need to be pretty fit to complete it between the Saturday trains; lesser mortals can just ascend to the main peak – still a hillwalking classic.
Get on track
The walk starts from the Falls of Cruachan Station which is on the Oban line. Note that this station is only open from April to October and check train times carefully; on the other hand, you can feel good about avoiding contributing to the parking problems for those arriving by car!
Linlithgow Palace and Loch, Linlithgow
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There’s something for everyone on this easy, enjoyable route around the loch at Linlithgow. The huge sandstone shell of Linlithgow Palace dominates the view as the surfaced path skirts the loch taking in a popular children’s play area, watersports area, and then a tranquil section of waterside where swans and coots can even the rare great crested grebe can be seen nesting in late spring and summer. There are plenty of places to stop for a picnic and the path is suitable for baby buggies. Be sure to leave time to explore the Palace, birthplace of Mary Queen of Scot’s and used as a royal retreat for Scottish monarchs in the 15th and 16th centuries with jousting tournaments and popular pastime.
Get on track
With regular trains from Glasgow, Edinburgh and other central belt stations to Linlithgow, this is a good destination for a car free day out. To reach the start of the walk from the railway station head west along Linlithgow High Street for a short distance before turning right into Water Yeti and then immediately left.
Craigellachie, from Aviemore
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A popular gateway to the Cairngorm mountains and on the mainline north from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth, Aviemore makes a great base for car-free adventures. Just a few steps from the main street lies the tranquil water and wildlife-filled woods of the Craigellachie National Nature Reserve. Explore the lily strewn loch before climbing through the trees above crags which are home to peregrine falcons. Eventually the well-constructed path emerges onto moorland with stunning views to the main peaks of the Cairngorms and a cairn provides the perfect summit selfie spot.
Get on track
Aviemore is easily reached by rail from Perth with the hour and half journey passing spectacular through scenery and there are also through trains from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness to the north. The walk starts a couple of minutes walk from the station, just cross the road, turn left and walk until the sign for Craigellachie and the youth hostel on the right.
North Berwick Law, North Berwick
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Challenge yourself to climb the steep sides of this conical hill and you’ll be rewarded with stunning views coastal views taking in the Bass Rock, Fife and along the Forth of Firth to Edinburgh and the Pentland hills. The hill itself is all that remains of a vast plume of molten lava that once spewed from an active volcano here. The replica whalebones commemorating North Berwick’s seafaring heritage were put in place in 2008 replacing real whale jawbones that had been a feature of the summit since the beginning of the 18th century. This half-day walk also explores the town’s coastline as well as the centre itself with it’s numerous art galleries, cafes and interesting shops.
Get on track
North Berwick takes just over half an hour by train from Edinburgh Waverley on a pleasant journey along the East Lothian coast. Pick up the walk in the centre of North Berwick, a short signed walk from the station.