Go to Scotland by train from France: tips and itineraries

Looking for wide open spaces, wild nature and mystical castles? Visit breathtaking cliffs of the Isle of Skye at the endless moors of the Highlands and medieval streets of Edinburgh at Glasgow street art murals Scotland is a spectacular destination to visit by train. With some of Europe's finest scenic railways (including the legendary West Highland Line), it's the perfect playground for a low-carbon, slow-moving and grandiose adventure.

How to reach Écosse by train?

Thanks to Eurostar and rail connections in London, you can reach Edinburgh or Glasgow in just 4 to 5 hours with one of the three companies operating the daytime service. Not only do these options considerably reduce carbon footprint but it's also a great way to get to Scotland in style. slow travel enjoying the magnificent scenery along the way. Another magical option is to travel by night in a sleeper train thanks to Caledonian Sleeper which serves Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Fort William and a host of Scottish towns.

The simplest route (and 100% rail):

• Paris → London at Eurostar (≈2h20).
• London → Edinburgh or Glasgow by British mainline train (≈4h30).

Long-distance trains between London and Scotland are operated by :

• LNER (to Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Inverness)
• Avanti West Coast (to Glasgow)

There is also a night train :

• Caledonian Sleeper London ↔ Edinburgh / Glasgow / Inverness / Fort William / Aberdeen.

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The Caledonian Sleeper: travel to Scotland by night train from London

Travelling to Scotland by train

Once on site, the Scotland's rail network makes it easy to discover the Highlands, lochs, islands and national parks... while leaving the car behind. This takes the stress out of driving on the left, and lets you enjoy the scenery in peace. Scenic routes like the West Highland Line (to Fort William and Mallaig) offer unforgettable journeys through some of the country's most iconic vistas. Finally, rail travel in the land of Highlands also saves you money. We were able to compare this option with the electric car road trip which can also be a nice option, but when it comes to budget, there's no contest!

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Scotland's most beautiful train journeys

Where to go by train in Écosse?

What to do and discover in Écosse?

To help you organize your train trip to Scotland, we've put together a 7-day tour from Paris but also since Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseille, Nice and Toulouse. And if you have more time, you will also find a circuit of 10 days and 15 days from these 6 cities (see bottom of page). In each case, we've tried to include the following main points of interest:

• Edinburgh cultural capital, between medieval old town and vibrant festivals
• The Highlands for hiking through spectacular mountains, lochs and valleys
• Scottish castles including the famous Eilean Donan and Dunnottar
• National parks such as the Cairngorms or Loch Lomond & The Trossachs, perfect for outdoor activities.
• Isle of Skye a real jewel not included in our train itineraries, but accessible without a car thanks to buses and ferries.

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Discover Scotland by train: the ultimate guide (7, 10 and 15-day tours)

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