More trains for the north in ScotRail December timetable change

Last updated: Sunday, 12 December 2021

ScotRail customers in the north east and Highlands will benefit from the train operator’s revised timetable from Sunday, 12 December 2021.

More trains will call at Kintore station, Monday to Saturday following last year’s successful reopening of the station after an absence of 67 years. The stops will be included on some services from Montrose to Inverurie, Inverness to Aberdeen and Inverurie to Aberdeen.

There will also be extra services between Elgin and Inverness, Monday to Saturday and an additional return service in the afternoon is being introduced between Inverness and Invergordon.

The train operator is increasing the number of seats on four of its Inter7City trains, by adding another standard class passenger coach to its existing four coach High Speed Trains (HSTs). It means an extra 74 standard class seats on every service they operate.

And four additional return journeys between Aberdeen and Glasgow will operate Monday to Saturday along with one extra return journey from Edinburgh to Aberdeen, also Monday to Saturday.

Most of the other timetable alterations will be minor, with the majority of routes retaining the same schedule that’s in place just now.

The key alterations include:

  • More trains stopping at Kintore Monday to Saturday.
  • Extra services between Elgin and Inverness.
  • An additional return service introduced between Inverness and Invergordon.
  • Continued introduction of longer – five coach – High Speed Trains (HSTs) which will give an additional passenger coach of standard class capacity on Inter7City services.
  • Opening of a new servicing depot at Cadder, near Bishopbriggs, with space to stable and service 6 HSTs at this location.

Customers are reminded to check their journey before they travel to see which services are affected by the changes and they are also reminded that there will be alterations to the times of some remaining services.

David Simpson, ScotRail Operations Director, said:

“We are delighted to be able to put on more services in the Highlands and north east of the country in the revised December timetable.

“The new servicing depot at Cadder will also be a significant step forward in the introduction of more Inter7City High Speed Trains as we continue investing in the rail network to make it fit for the future.”