British Rail Tours Know which side to sit
Highland Main Line
Scenic lineScottish Highlands

Highland Main Line

Perth → Inverness
Sit on the right Photos
Photo: Kabelleger, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  • Journey timeApprox 2 h 10 min Perth–Inverness
  • Distance118 miles
  • FrequencyRoughly hourly from Edinburgh and Glasgow; LNER Highland Chieftain once daily
  • Rover ticketHighland Rover, £99 for 4 days in 8
  • OperatorScotRail

Over the Grampians via the Pass of Drumochter, at 1,484 feet the highest point on Britain's main-line network, to the Cairngorms and Inverness.

The Highland Main Line strikes north from Perth through Dunkeld and Pitlochry, climbing the wooded Pass of Killiecrankie and up Glen Garry past Blair Atholl. The gradient stiffens to 1 in 70 for the assault on Drumochter summit, marked by a lineside sign at 1,484 feet, the highest summit on any main line in Britain.

From Dalwhinnie the line drops through Newtonmore and Kingussie into Strathspey, runs beside the Cairngorms to Aviemore (connection for the Strathspey steam railway) and Carrbridge, then climbs again to Slochd summit at 1,315 feet before the descent through Tomatin to Culloden Viaduct, 28 arches across the Nairn valley, and Inverness.

ScotRail works the route with Class 170 units and Inter7City HSTs; LNER's Highland Chieftain from King's Cross uses the line too. Pitlochry, Blair Atholl and Aviemore are all good stopping points.

Which side to sit

Perth → Inverness

The Pass of Killiecrankie, Blair Castle, Ruthven Barracks and the Cairngorms are all on the right heading north.

Sit on the right0 sights on the left · 6 on the right
  1. 0mi
    StationPerth
  2. 15mi
    StationDunkeld & Birnam
  3. 28mi
    StationPitlochry
  4. 31mi
    LandmarkPass of KilliecrankieWooded gorge of the River Garry below the line
  5. 35mi
    CastleBlair CastleWhite-harled seat of the Dukes of Atholl
  6. 52mi
    Summit · on the lineDrumochter Summit1,484 ft, highest main-line summit in Britain
  7. 58mi
    StationDalwhinnieDistillery beside the station
  8. 73mi
    CastleRuthven BarracksJacobite-era ruin across the Spey from Kingussie
  9. 77mi
    LochLoch Insh
  10. 83mi
    MountainCairngormsThe high plateau fills the view beyond Aviemore
  11. 83mi
    StationAviemoreStrathspey Railway steam trains share the station
  12. 95mi
    Summit · on the lineSlochd Summit1,315 ft
  13. 98mi
    Viaduct · on the lineFindhorn ViaductNine lattice spans at Tomatin
  14. 111mi
    Viaduct · on the lineCulloden Viaduct29 arches over the Nairn, Scotland's longest masonry viaduct
  15. 116mi
    EstuaryMoray FirthViews over the firth on the descent to Inverness
  16. 118mi
    StationInverness

Sides are given facing the direction of travel. Miles are approximate from the start of the journey.

Good to know

  • Dogs welcome
  • Bikes carried
  • Great walks
  • Rover tickets
  • Heritage railway link
  • Sleeper berths
  • First Class

Highlights along the line

  • Pass of Killiecrankie
  • Blair Atholl
  • Drumochter summit
  • Cairngorms from Aviemore
  • Culloden Viaduct

Photos of the Highland Main Line

3 photos · tap to enlarge
ScotRail HST crossing Killiecrankie Viaduct above the River Garry
ScotRail HST crossing Killiecrankie Viaduct above the River Garry
DRS Class 66 hauling freight through the Pass of Drumochter
DRS Class 66 hauling freight through the Pass of Drumochter
ScotRail Class 170 crossing the River Tilt bridge at Blair Atholl
ScotRail Class 170 crossing the River Tilt bridge at Blair Atholl
Ticket tip: off-peak and advance fares are usually cheapest, and a Railcard takes a third off most tickets. Rover and ranger tickets let you break your journey and explore stations along the way.

Frequently asked questions

Which operators run it?

ScotRail from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth, plus one LNER train each way from London and the Caledonian Sleeper overnight.

Is there a dining car?

Not on ScotRail; Inter7City trains have a trolley. LNER's Highland Chieftain has at-seat catering in first class.

What is the best stop?

Pitlochry for the town and Killiecrankie walks, or Aviemore for the Cairngorms and the Strathspey Railway.

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