The Kyle Line

The Kyle Line from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh is one of the most scenic train journeys in the UK. Over two and a half hours, it cuts an arc through the Scottish Highlands, passing by lochs, ridges and sea inlets.

Opened in stages between 1870 and 1885, the Kyle Line was built through terrain previously considered unpassable by rail. It required the manual construction of 29 bridges and was cut through 31 sections of rock, becoming a lifeline for remote Highland communities, as well as a military route during WWII. Today, the line is still vital infrastructure for the villages that it serves, as well as a popular route for tourists and hikers travelling to Skye or exploring the stops along the route.

Read on for everything you need to know about the Kyle Line: the trains, tickets, and what you’ll see on this journey through Scotland.

OpenStreetMap contributors (openstreetmap.org)/CC BY 3.0

The Kyle Line train: overview

Services and schedule

The route from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh is commonly known as the Kyle Line, but technically that name refers only to the 63-mile single-track railway from Dingwall to Kyle. To get there, trains use the first 18 miles of the Far North Line from Inverness to Dingwall. It is one continuous service for the whole journey from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh, and services on the route are operated by Scotland’s national rail company, ScotRail.

All year round, there are four departures in each direction from Monday to Saturday, with fewer on Sundays. The journey takes approximately two hours and forty-five minutes, with trains running every two hours.

Onboard Facilities

The trains running along the Kyle Line are small commuter-style sprinter trains, typically with two carriages. Standard class is the only option, with facilities including toilets, overhead racks and luggage spaces. WiFi is available, but prepare for patchy signal. There’s no food service onboard so take a train picnic for the journey from the train station shops or the nearby Victorian Market, with its food hall packed with local producers.

Fares and flexibility

A one-way standard fare from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh is £32, with discounts available for UK railcard holders. Standard Anytime Day tickets are valid all day and are flexible on timings. This allows the option to break the journey at stops along the way, then re-board the train later in the day.

For those with an Interrail pass, the Kyle Line route is included, with no additional cost. You don’t need to reserve a seat in advance, but a free additional seat reservation is recommended in summer when trains fill up.

Stefano Bucciarelli

Inverness.

The Kyle Line: the journey

Inverness

The adventure starts in Inverness, a compact and well-connected city that’s known as the ‘Capital of the Highlands’. It’s a popular destination for tourists with multiple sights in the city itself and around, such as Inverness Castle and nearby Loch Ness. The circular route to the Ness Islands, looping through wooded islets on the River Ness and crossing Victorian footbridges, is a peaceful city walk. Meanwhile, the family-owned Leakey’s Bookshop is Scotland’s largest secondhand bookshop and well worth a visit.

Back in the city, you’ll find good coffee shops a short walk from the station. Birch offers speciality coffee hand-roasted in small batches at their roastery on the Isle of Skye, alongside pastries, breakfast and lunch.

Departing Inverness, the train travels along the Far North Line for 18 miles, with early views over the waters of the Beauly Firth and fields lined with stone walls and gorse. Watch out for Ben Wyvis, an isolated mountain visible between Muir of Ord and Dingwall.

Graham Fowler/CC BY-SA 2.0

Beauly Firth.

Through the Highlands

Past Dingwall, the landscape becomes more rural. You’ll see low wooded hills and the River Conon snaking through farmland. The train then begins to climb, and before long, you're moving into rougher ground: moorland, bog, and fast-flowing streams.

Further on, the track skirts the edge of Loch Luichart. It’s a twisting stretch where the train curves above the waterline, sometimes just metres from the loch’s surface. From Achnasheen westward, you're into wide glens, peatland and Highland mountainscapes. In early spring, you might spot red deer grazing on the moor.

Adrienne Salmon

Achanalt.

Beyond Achnashellach, the train passes under the shadow of Sgorr Ruadh, one of several Munros in the area. Look out for the Torridon Peaks on the western side of this stretch, huge mountains composed of ancient Torridon sandstone rising in the distance.

Gavin Tyte

Coire Valley, Achnashellach.

To the coast

The final hour of the line is a highlight. The train snakes along Loch Carron, hugging its northern shore. From the left-hand side, you get panoramic views across the water to the Applecross peninsula. The loch narrows into a fjord-like channel, and tidal shifts expose long seaweed-covered shores.

Lee Chalmers

Plockton.

Plockton

Plockton is the main stop between Inverness and Kyle that rewards a pause. A 15-minute walk from the station brings you to the harbour, lined with palm-like cabbage trees thanks to the mild microclimate. The view from Plockton’s waterfront reveals dozens of islets and skerries scattered across Loch Carron.

While there, walk out to Plockton Coral Beach, just south of the village. Or, take a short cruise with Calum’s Seal Trips, running daily in summer, to spot common and grey seals on the small islets across the bay. For something to eat, the Plockton Inn and Plockton Shores both serve fresh langoustines and seafood landed locally, while Meghan’s is the place for Italian-style ice cream and gifts.

Adrienne Salmon

Kyle of Lochalsh.

Kyle of Lochalsh

The line ends at Kyle of Lochalsh, right at the edge of the sea. From the platform you can see the Skye Bridge arching across to the island. The station building contains a small heritage centre with railway exhibits and wartime photos, while Hector’s Bothy is the perfect pitstop for a bite to eat or a quick tipple.

Onward from Kyle of Lochalsh

From Kyle of Lochalsh, you can return to Inverness by train or spend a while exploring the local area. Nearby is one of Scotland’s most photographed sites, Eilean Donan Castle. It’s about 20-minutes away by bus (leaving from beside the station), and is built on a tidal island where three lochs meet. Inside, you'll find restored rooms, 20th-century military exhibits and views across Loch Duich.

Alternatively, make your way over the bridge to the Isle of Skye. It’s one of Scotland’s most popular island destinations, with ancient landscapes and sights like the Quiraing and the Cuillin mountain range. Bus services to Broadford and Portree run several times a day. Bear in mind, if you’d like to stay on the island in peak season, planning ahead is essential as accommodation options book up months in advance.

Travel along the Kyle Line from Skye, or check out our other slow travel holidays to Scotland.

Read our guide to visiting Scotland, or about Scotland’s most scenic railway lines.

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Adrienne Salmon

The Quiraing, Isle of Skye.