Scotland from the Rails
by Benedict le Vay
Scotland from the Rails Guide – discover Scotland by rail, travel tips on Scottish train travel and what to see from your carriage. Covers the Central Belt, East Coast, Sou’Western, West Highland Line, Skye Railway and Far North Line, plus local history, practical advice, secret railways, branch lines, food and restaurants, hotels and B&Bs.
Size: 135 X 216 mm
Edition: 1
Number of pages: 208
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About this book
From the author of the acclaimed Britain from the Rails, an entertaining armchair read and practical guide rolled into one. Engaging, eccentric, informative, inspirational and only very occasionally trainspotter-ish, Scotland from the Rails is the perfect guide to some of the most romantic rail journeys not just in Scotland but the world.
Scotland’s rail network boasts the highest mainline summits in Britain; the longest bridge; the longest and boldest spans; the most famous railway bridge of all (the Harry Potter one); as well as some of the friendliest staff and the most lovely – and downright quirky – station buildings, many lovingly maintained or restored. And for icing on the cake, or rather cream on the Cranachan, some utterly charming and fascinating preserved lines, steam centres and luxury excursion trains which cruise through this magnificent land.
From the East Coast to the Great North, the West Highland Line to the Skye Railway, let expert rail enthusiast Ben le Vay be your guide to the best of Scotland’s rail journeys. Perfect for train buffs, Scotland buffs, history buffs and trivia buffs, Scotland from the Rails is also the ideal book for anyone whose idea of heaven is sit back on a train and gaze out of the window.
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About the Author
Benedict Le Vay is a national newspaper sub-editor who has worked in four continents but wrote his first book, Eccentric Britain, more or less by accident after collecting oddities about his home country. He says he was ‘staggered’ by the response, which included media attention from the Shetland Times to Gulf Radio and publicity tours in America and New Zealand. He describes himself as a frankly rather ordinary father of two, and is hard-pressed to think of anything eccentric about himself. ‘At a push, I’d say, yes, I’m Honorary Secretary of the Friends of A272, and I’ve asked for my ashes to be blasted from the chimney of my favourite steam locomotive at my funeral. Hasn’t everybody?’
Reviews
“An absolute joy to read, this detailed and colourful travel-by-rail guide takes you on a host of Scotland’s scenic routes” – West Highland News
Additional Information
Table of ContentsTRAINSCOTTING!
Scottish superb superlatives
Who is this book for? A lot of people
How to use this book
Planning your trips
THE IRON MEN & THEIR IRON ROAD: FROM BRILLIANT PIONEERS TO THRILLING TRAINS
Waggons roll! Scotland’s oldest railway
The first ‘proper’ lines open
Thrills & spills in a dramatic century
Going loco on World Records
GREAT ARRIVALS: THE FAMED MAIN LINES
Getting to Edinburgh: The East Coast Main Line
Getting to Glasgow: The West Coast Main Line
THE CENTRAL BELT: EDINBURGH & GLASGOW
Glasgow to Edinburgh via Falkirk: The quickest & best route
Other Edinburgh-Glasgow routes: Shoppers, stoppers & shockers
The Cathcart Circle: Glasgow Central to Glasgow Central
The Fife Circle: Edinburgh Waverley to Edinburgh Waverley
Seaside excursions: Two great days out from Scotland’s two big cities
FIRTH TO LAST: EDINBURGH TO ABERDEEN
Edinburgh to Dundee: Bridges to adventure
Dundee to Aberdeen: Loch, dock & a smoking barrel
SCOTLAND GOES ON HOLIDAY: GLASGOW TO AYRSHIRE & DUMFRIES
The Glasgow & South-Western Main Line: To the land of ‘Oreo cows’ & a romantic anvil
The Ayrshire Coast Line: I’ll take the Troon train!
The Inverclyde Line to Gourock: In the tracks of heroes
BORDERING ON THE BRILLIANT!: THE BORDERS RAILWAY
South from Edinburgh: Home on the Grange
Onwards to Tweedbank: A Gala affair
THE WORLD’S MOST SCENIC RAILWAY: THE WEST HIGHLAND LINE
Glasgow Queen Street to Crianlarich: From lowland bustle to empty highlands in a few miles
Crianlarich to Fort William: A lucky horsehoe, the last great wilderness & a gorgeous gorge
Fort William to Mallaig: Outrageous beauty & concrete evidence
The Oban branch: Awe-inspiring ruins, a rock piano, the magical route to Mull & the Holy Islands
SUMMIT SPECIAL: THE HIGHLAND MAIN LINE
Inverness to Perth: Along Britain’s highest railway
Perth to Glasgow Queen Street: Stirling work
WHISKY & CANALS: THE GREAT NORTH OF SCOTLAND RAILWAY
The route described
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL LINE IN EUROPE: THE SKYE LINE
From feudalism to internet-age democracy in just 150 years
Inverness to Dingwall
Dingwall to Kyle of Lochalsh
WONDERFULLY REMOTE: THE FAR NORTH LINE
Inverness to Lairg: From the slightly Ord to the deeply loopy!
Lairg to Wick & Thurso: Two for the price of one
APPENDIX ONE: ROMANCE & RIVALRY ON THE RAILS
Poetic rails
Further information
APPENDIX TWO: STEAMY AFFAIRS
Steam railways
Steam museums
Steam operators
