Explore north from Inverness, following the North Sea coast passing distilleries, salmon rivers and golf courses to Thurso and the fishing port of Wick.

Take the train from Edinburgh Waverly to Inverness. Trains are frequent are take approximately 3 hours 45 minutes. Look up times.

The line coasts along the southern bank of the Beauly Firth on the way to Muir of Ord and Dingwall, where the main line splits to the north and west.

The Far North Line takes the right fork, north into Ross and Cromarty, bound for Sutherland and Caithness beyond.

As the train sweeps up the shore of the Cromarty Firth you’ll see Foulis Castle and the town of Invergordon, which has an intriguing series of murals commissioned by the local communities – from the lifeboats to the Anglers’ association.

This stretch of the coast has plenty of whisky distilleries: you’ll pass Teaninich, Dalmore and Whyte & Mackay’s Invergordon site, as well as Glenmorangie in Tain, and Balblair.

The line swings inland, but returns to the coast for a stop at Dunrobin Castle station, just a short distance from the impressive castle itself.

You’ll travel onwards past Helmsdale to Altnabreac – where things really begin to feel remote. From there it’s not far to Georgemas Junction where the train heads north first to Thurso, and then returns east to Wick.

Whether you choose to stop at Thurso, the most northerly station in the British Isles, or explore the old herring port of Wick, this is an adventure right to the very northern edges of the mainland.

Find out more about Scotland’s Great Scenic Rail Journeys on the Scotrail website.