Scotland's five best train journeys in 2025 named including 'jolly summer jaunt'
The "best train journeys" in Scotland for 2025 have been named. Luxury services and scenic routes are among the train journeys that were singled out.
Travel experts at Condé Nast Traveller recently rounded up the best train journeys throughout the UK. Out of the 17 routes featured on the roundup, five are located in Scotland.
The Daily Record has compiled the Scottish train journeys that appear on the experts' list. Among these are The Caledonian Sleeper, The Royal Scotsman, and the Glasgow to Mallaig route.
The Caledonian Sleeper
The first Scottish railway journey named on Condé Nast Traveller's list is The Caledonian Sleeper. The overnight train travels between London and Scotland.
According to the experts, the service is comprised of two trains. The Lowlander connects London to Edinburgh and Glasgow, while the Highlander carries on up to Aberdeen, Fort William, and Inverness.
Condé Nast Traveller praised The Caledonian Sleeper for resembling "a mobile hotel", singling out its cosy bunk beds and soft duvets. Also mentioned was the service's dining car, where passengers can enjoy "a classic meal of steaming haggis, neeps and tatties in whisky cream sauce".
The Royal Scotsman, a Belmond train
Also featuring on Condé Nast Traveller's list is The Royal Scotsman, which is a luxury sleeper train that departs from Edinburgh Waverley and explores the Scottish Highlands. The experts likened the carriages on the service to a "long and narrow Edwardian country house", applauding features such as its luxury sodas and curtains.
The Royal Scotsman offers journeys up to seven days in length, visiting castles, distilleries, and numerous historic sites. However, the experts singled out its two-night Taste of the Highlands journey that travels into the heart of the Scottish Highlands and visits multiple sites of natural beauty.
Condé Nast Traveller wrote: "There are excursions to Culloden Battlefield in Inverness, clay pigeon shooting at the Rothiemurchus Estate, and whisky-tasting at the Strathisla Distillery in the town of Keith, where the air smells of warm malt."
Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh
The third Scottish train journey mentioned as being among the best in the UK is the Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh route. The journey, which takes approximately three hours, departs from Inverness past the southern bank of the Beauly Firth.
Among the top sights of the service according to the experts are lochs and picturesque moors that are home to deer. Also singled out as being "worth a stopover" was the village of Plockton, which was noted for its charming houses and scenic islets.
Newcastle to Edinburgh
Another journey that begins in England, the Newcastle to Edinburgh service begins in the northeast city and ends in the Scottish capital. The high-speed train travels along England's northeast coast before reaching the south of Scotland, offering "patchworked countryside and misty-blue ocean scenes" according to Condé Nast Traveller.
The experts recommend that passengers on the Newcastle to Edinburgh route sit on the right-hand side of the train to make the most of the views. Meanwhile, the route was applauded for its affordability—with Condé Nast Traveller praising the £14.90 one-way service offered by Lumo.
Glasgow to Mallaig
Finally, the Glasgow to Mallaig route leaves from Scotland's largest city and heads into the heart of the dramatic Highlands. One of the beauty spots the train passes by is the legendary Loch Lomond.
According to Condé Nast Traveller, passengers should move to the front of the train after it journeys past Tyndrum to get the best views. The train passes by the foot of Beinn Doran, before then travelling on to Fort William.
Condé Nast Traveller wrote: "It's a jolly summer jaunt—but brave the bite of wind and sleet and a winter journey brings beauty in the form of frozen rivers and daggers of ice dangling from trees.
"Towards the end of the line, the train runs along the 21 arches of the Glenfinnan Viaduct at the top of Loch Shiel—a sight commonly known to Harry Potter fans as the route of the Hogwarts Express."
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'Officials will be monitoring the situation and are ready to stand up the Multi Agency Response Team, if required. 'I am grateful to those who are giving up their weekend and time off to help co-ordinate the transport sector's response. 'Traffic Scotland, Police Scotland, Sepa, local authorities and others will communicate any closures to the public and provide real-time updates.' Scottish ferry operator CalMac has issued a series of cancellation warnings ahead of the storm. 'Disruption to sailings is expected across our network on Monday August 4 due to forecasted strong winds across parts of Scotland's west coast,' it posted on X. ⚠️AMBER WEATHER WARNING⚠️ The @metoffice has issued an AMBER warning for WIND🍃 Monday (04/08) 10:00- Monday (04/08) 23:59 YELLOW warnings are also still in place: Monday (04/08) 06:00- Monday (04/08) 22:00 More information can be found here👉 — Traffic Scotland (@trafficscotland) August 3, 2025 Elsewhere, motorists have been urged to slow down in poor weather and avoid exposed Highland and coastal routes. Rod Dennis, of the RAC breakdown service, said: 'This unseasonable bout of stormy weather will mean drivers in the north and west of the UK need to take extra care at the start of next week. 'It's the height of the holiday season, so those towing trailers and caravans, as well as those with roof and tent boxes, must ensure their loads are properly secured.' Shaun Jones, of the AA, said: 'If you're planning a journey – especially through exposed or rural areas – it's worth checking the latest forecast, allow extra time, and be prepared for the unexpected. 'Keep both hands on the wheel, especially on open roads and motorways, and be mindful of high-sided vehicles and cyclists who may be more affected by gusts. 'Watch out for fallen branches or debris, particularly in rural areas – this could be telltale signs of a fallen tree ahead.' If strong winds are forecast, make sure you keep your home protected. Secure loose objects such as ladders, garden furniture or anything that could be blown into windows and cause danger. Find out more at — Scottish Government (@scotgov) August 2, 2025 Met Office chief meteorologist Matthew Lehnert said: 'Across the warning area, many inland areas are likely to see gusts of 40-50mph, with 60-70mph more likely at higher elevations and around exposed coasts in Scotland. 'There is a small chance that some locations here could even record gusts of 85mph.' The strongest winds will most likely affect Scotland on Monday afternoon and night but 'there remains some uncertainty in the depth and track of Floris', a spokesperson added. 'Winds will first ease in the west during later Monday but remaining very strong overnight until early Tuesday in the east. 'Heavy rain may also contribute to the disruption in places.' The warning zone covers Scotland, parts of Northern Ireland, north Wales and the north of England. Storm Floris is the sixth named storm of the 2024-25 naming season, which runs from early September to late August, and January's Storm Eowyn was the most recent.
