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.

"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

Vorwort
. New title from bestselling author Ben le Vay, author of Britain from the Rails and Bradt's Eccentric series . A unique, colourful guide to getting the most out of Scotland by train . UK travel guides have seen a sharp sales increase in 2020 About Bradt Travel Guides . Founded in 1974, Bradt is now the largest independent guidebook publisher in the UK with over 200 titles in print . Serial winner of the Gold award for Best Guidebook Series in the Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards . Bradt guides are written by authors who really know their destinations. Many are resident there, or have been visiting regularly over a number of years . Each new Bradt guide is backed by a dedicated press and social media campaign

Autorentext

Benedict le Vay is a London-born journalist, author, as well as being a rather bad yachtsman and potter, who has worked as a sub-editor in major newspapers in Britain, Hong Kong and New Zealand. A father of two, his books have included Britain from the Rails and the best-selling Eccentric series for Bradt as well as Weeping Waters: When Train Meets Volcano about a New Zealand disaster and The Secret History of Everyday Stuff: Astounding, Fascinating or Remarkable Facts About Your Everyday Life,

Dedicated author page on the Bradt website at : https://www.bradtguides.com/author/benedict-le-vay/

Zusammenfassung
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.

Inhalt

TRAINSCOTTING!

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