Kyle Line: Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh
Travel coast to coast across the Highlands, in the shadows of mountains and forests, beside bright lochs and wide open moors.
The Kyle line draws a wide arc from Inverness to the shores of Loch Alsh, taking in spectacular Highland scenery – and finishing with magnificent views of Skye.
Just outside Inverness lies Dingwall, a pretty market town that’s perfect for a stop off or a connection to the Far North Line. From there, the train takes you past lochs and moors as you travel through the Highlands. Keep an eye out for one of the most distinctive mountain ranges in Scotland, the Torridon Peaks, looming out of the north. On the final stretch of the journey, the train picks its way along the coast south to Loch Alsh.
Journey time
- Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh - approx 2 hours 40 minutes
Highlights
Look out for
- The Torridon Peaks – to the west, just before the stop at Achnashellach Forest
- Herds of deer – on the downhill route from Loch Luichart to Garve
- Ben Wyvis – an isolated mountain visible between Muir of Ord and Dingwall
Consider stopping at
- Plockton for its beautiful bay – the town was used for the BBC series Hamish Macbeth and scenes in The Wicker Man
- Attadale for Attadale Gardens – for 20 acres of Scottish Highland gardens on Wester Ross
The journey: across the Highlands
The train leaves Inverness to glide along the southern bank of the Beauly Firth, through Dingwall and on to Garve – keep an eye out for Ben Wyvis just after Dingwall, a huge isolated mountain to the north.
From there the line crosses the wild Highland mountainscape between Lochs Luichart and Carron. Look out for the Torridon Peaks on the western side: you can’t miss the great hulk of rock in the distance.
At the other end of Loch Carron you’ll find Plockton. Stop off to explore the pretty town – complete with palm trees – then spot the locations used for BBC series Hamish Macbeth, and The Wicker Man.
And on the last stretch towards Kyle of Lochalsh, the views of Skye are spectacular.
Travelling on from the Kyle Line?
- Catch the bus to Skye from Kyle of Lochalsh for excellent hillwalking
- Visit Eilean Donan castle, a restored 13th century castle perched on an island at the head of Loch Duich
- Head to the beautiful, remote Applecross peninsular by bus from Strathcarron station
Images taken through the train window on an iPhone 6
Ways to save...
- Spirit of Scotland travel pass : travel across Scotland over 1-2 weeks by train, bus and coach
- Highland Rover : explore the North and West Highlands over a week by train, bus and coach
- Rail & Sail : combine train and ferry travel
- Kids for a Quid tickets : for every paying adult, up to four children aged 5-15 can travel for £1 each
- Railcards : see if you could save with a national or regional Railcard