British Destinations
Go on a wonderful home-grown adventure . . .
FORT WILLIAM TO MALLAIG
Experience the magical journey Harry Potter made to Hogwarts School of Wizardry and Witchcraft, across the famous viaduct at Glenfinnan in the Scottish Highlands. The historic Jacobite steam train runs from Fort William to Mallaig during summer.
The Glenfinnan Viaduct is 380m long and 30m tall. It has 21 arches and is the longest concrete railway bridge in Scotland. You'll see lochs and coastal villages en route to Mallaig, which has views to the Isle of Skye. If you feel energetic, climb Ben Nevis while staying in Fort William, but there are also stunning walks even for those who prefer not to climb.
At the other end of the line, Mallaig is an area of beautiful coastline, where you can relax on the beach, go walking, or enjoy the wildlife and natural beauty of this unspoilt terrain. If you miss the summer period when the steam train's running, don't worry as modern trains serve the route the rest of the year.
CUMBRIA TO NORTH YORKSHIRE
Take the Settle and Carlisle Railway for a 72 mile journey through the Eden Valley and Yorkshire Dales, past rolling hills and glorious countryside. This line was saved from closure 28 years ago, and is among the most dramatic railway journeys in England.
A steam train travels the route during the summer, and the highlight is the stretch of line across the spectacular Ribblehead Viaduct, built by the Midland Railway in the 1870s at great cost to human life. So many men died on the construction of the viaduct that the railway company paid to expand the local graveyard. Fortunately today it's all about the route's amazing scenery, not it's sorrowful past.
The Settle–Carlisle line begins at Settle Junction on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales to Carlisle on the Scottish Borders. Once you reach Carlisle there's plenty to see, including Carlisle Castle and Cathedral, Tullie House Art Gallery and Museum, and Solway Aviation Museum.
LONDON TO SCOTLAND
You can get a train from Kings Cross to Gleneagles if you fancy staying in the lap of luxury at this sumptuous hotel and golf course. The journey takes five-and-a-half hours if you travel direct, or a bit longer if you have to change trains.
Another option is the Caledonian Sleeper, linking London to Scotland. There’s a Highland route, from London Euston, that takes you to Fort William, Inverness, or Aberdeen. The Lowland route takes you to Glasgow or Edinburgh. There are three categories of travel, all with reclining seats.
The Caledonian Sleeper departs London Euston in the evening. On the Highland route, the train splits into three separate parts at Edinburgh Waverley in the early hours, then proceeds on separate journeys to Aberdeen, Inverness and Fort William. As morning dawns, you can see the beautiful countryside passing by the window. On the Lowland route, the train splits into two portions at Carstairs. The trains then arrive early at Glasgow Central and Edinburgh Waverley.