2. FORT WILLIAM TO GLASGOW Known as the West Coast line. Starting under the gaze of Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis, the West coast line wends its way through some of the most accessible of dramatically beautiful countryside th
ere is.
As it comes closer to Glasgow it comes suddenly upon the River Clyde, a vital historical transport lifeline for many centuries.
Almost as soon again it comes across the majesty of Dunbarton Castle and then again the fringes of Scotland's second city before descending to Glasgow Queen Street. A great way also to finish the West Highland Way – and spot the walkers just starting out on their trail.
3. INVERNESS TO THURSO AND WICK One of the longest train journeys in Scotland, to two of the northernmost towns on mainland Britain. Watch out for the oil rigs of Invergordon, the statue of the Duke of Sutherland by Golspie and the wild remoteness of the Flow country, much loved by Prince Charles.
4. PERTH TO INVERNESS One of the most beautiful ways to access the Cairngorm National Park and reach through to Inverness. Gradually the scenery builds up from rolling lowlands and forests, through the hills and valleys of the Tay and its tributaries, up to what are often snow-covered mountains – and just before entering Inverness you skirt Culloden Moor. Worth stopping off in Aviemore to explore the Speyside Way.
5. EDINBURGH TO ABERDEEN Starting by the side of the dramatic cliffs that form the foundations of Edinburgh Castle, the route takes you through to the splendour that is the architecture of the Forth and Tay bridges which, when combined with their beautiful firths, remind me that I am on my way home.
The full article contains 354 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
