Train hopping around Scotland's cities

If you're travelling to Scotland via England, you can book a direct LNER train to start your journey from many of our cities including Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness. You can still explore the wonders of Dundee, Dunfermline, Perth and Stirling but you'll just need to connect with a ScotRail train at Edinburgh Waverley.

You can also travel to Scotland via Avanti West Coast or if you’re considering travelling to Scotland through the night and waking up in a new destination, the Caledonian Sleeper is another great alternative.

Book your trip to Scotland with LNER

Book train travel with Avanti West Coast

Enjoy an overnight train ride with Caledonian Sleeper

Look out for in Glasgow: 

Visit The Burrell Collection nestled in the heart of Pollok Country Park, for a chance to see more than 9,000 objects spanning 6,000 years of history. 

Check out the latest exhibitions at the Gallery of Modern Art Glasgow, host of the 2023 Banksy exhibition. 

Scottish tours are a great way to experience the country. Follow one of Glasgow’s new food tours with Experience Glasgow – choose between coffee, beer or cocktails! 

Look out for in Edinburgh: 

Check out the new galleries just opened at National Gallery of Scotland with Glasgow Boys, Charles Rennie Mackintosh and more. 

Take in the incredible views of the city centre over a whisky cocktail at Johnnie Walker Princes Street. 

Top tip

If you're looking to explore the South of Scotland's hidden gems, make sure to book train travel in advance. The Borders Railway is the longest domestic railway which connects Edinburgh with Galashiels and Tweedbank in the Scottish Borders.

Don’t miss stops: 

Falkirk 

Hop off at Falkirk and head along to the now world-famous Kelpies and Falkirk Wheel, which sit alongside the Forth & Clyde Canal. The Kelpies are the largest equine sculptures in the world while the Falkirk Wheel is a rotating boat lift and the only construction of its kind in the world. 

Watch this feat of modern engineering in action as it raises vessels bridging the 35 m (115 ft) vertical gap between the Forth & Clyde Canal and Union Canal – a truly impressive sight! 

Linlithgow 

Get off the train in Linlithgow, a "royal burgh" not far from Edinburgh. Visit the magnificent structure of Linlithgow Palace which overlooks the picturesque loch. The palace has a regal past, when the Stewart kings and queens used to stay here during the 15th and 16th centuries. 

Discover more at the Linlithgow Museum in the town’s High Street

Look out for in Dunfermline: 

Immerse yourself in history at the Heritage Quarter, with ancient landmarks like Dunfermline Abbey and Palace and the Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum.  

Enjoy the outdoors at Pittencrieff Park and the Fife Pilgrim Way, with an array of outdoor adventures from woodland walks and long-distance footpaths to wakeboarding, rally driving and sailing. 

Don’t miss stops: 

Dalmeny  

Make a stop at Dalmeny to walk around the beautiful Dalmeny Estate from which you’ll be able to catch a sight of the iconic Forth Rail Bridge.  

During the summer months, take a guided tour around Dalmeny House where you'll find a collection of valuable art, including tapestries, French furniture from the 18th century, and portraits by famous artists like Gainsborough, Reynolds, and Raeburn. 

Enjoy a day out in South Queensferry and set sail with Forth Boat tours. The 90-minute sightseeing cruise offers spectacular views of The Forth Bridge, The Forth Road Bridge and The Queensferry Crossing. Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for seals and puffins too!

North Queensferry 

Visit the pier in North Queensferry to see Queensferry Harbour Light Tower, the smallest working tower of its kind in the world.  

For a chance to see a variety of tropical fish and unusual sea creatures make sure to stop by Deep Sea World, Scotland’s National Aquarium.  

Look out for in Perth: 

Discover Scone Palace, a historic Scottish site, once the coronation venue for Scottish royalty, including Macbeth. It’s surrounded by picturesque gardens and tranquil woodlands – the perfect setting for a walk or even a picnic. Perth's bus station is just a short distance away from the train station with buses 3 and 58 taking you directly there.

The new Perth Museum will also be opening its doors in Spring 2024 with the Stone of Destiny returning to the region - the first time in over 700 years!

Take a stroll around the longest river in Scotland, the River Tay. Look out for The River Tay Way, a new long-distance walking and cycling route. 

Don’t miss stops: 

Kirkcaldy

If you love all things art, The Kirkcaldy Galleries is home to a stunning collection of artworks and artefacts. You'll also find the Adam Smith Theatre just across the road, where you'll be entertained with music, theatre and comedy performances all year round. Stretch your legs and head to Ravenscraig Park which connects up to the Fife Coastal Path.

Markinch

This historic village lies a few miles east of Glenrothes and is home to St Drostans Church and it's 12th century tower. Balbirnie Country Park which can be found on the Fife Pilgrim Way is perfect for woodland walks with the family and during the summer months, eat alfresco where there are lots of picnic areas to choose from.

Aberdour 

Look out for Silver Sands beach, one of the finest in Scotland that overlooks the Firth of Forth towards Edinburgh & The Lothians. One of the main attractions to visit is Aberdour Castle, constructed by the Douglas family in the 13th century. 

Top tip

Journey a few more stops north to Leuchars for a frequent bus service to St Andrews.

Look out for in Dundee: 

Home to the fascinating V&A Dundee, which is the first V&A museum in the world outside London and the first ever dedicated design museum in Scotland. Make sure to also visit the RRS Discovery, a barque-rigged auxiliary steamship which was once used to set sail across the Antarctic.  

Explore art in The McManus, located in a Victorian Gothic building. 

Don’t miss stops: 

Invergowrie 

Stop at Invergowrie for a picturesque walk around the stunning views of the River Tay and to immerse yourself in the distinct local charm of this quaint village. 

Look out for in Aberdeen: 

Best explored by foot, take a stroll around this memorable Scottish city, admire the majestic granite buildings, and enjoy some of the finest art collections in the UK in the award-winning Aberdeen Art Gallery. 

Explore the sandy shores of its beach, where you might even have an opportunity to witness dolphins up close. For an exquisite view of marine life, the popular Torry Battery offers an exceptional vantage point. 

Don’t miss stops: 

Stonehaven 

Make sure to stop at Stonehaven and visit Dunnottar Castle. Sitting on an imposing 160-foot rock and surrounded by the North Sea on three sides, these historic and striking ruins on the cliffs used to be a strong fortress for the Earls Marischal, once one of the most powerful families in Scotland.  

Montrose  

Explore Montrose, a charming town with a delightful old centre and see the captivating Montrose museum, one of the first purpose-built museums in Scotland.  

Look out for in Inverness: 

Visit the newly opened Loch Ness Centre and uncover the truth about one of the world's most famous legends on a brand-new tour. You'll explore everything from hidden secrets and myths to apparent sightings of the Loch Ness Monster.

Check out the Bronze Age cairn Clava Cairns, a remarkable testament to the historical culture and architecture of the Scottish Highlands, with its origins reaching back approximately 4,000 years. 

Don’t miss stops: 

Elgin 

Make sure to stop at Elgin, located in the famous whisky region, to visit the variety of local distilleries such as Glen Moray, Gordon & MacPhail, and Glen Elgin. 

Nairn 

This charming seaside resort has three exquisite beaches, championship golf courses and an abundance of breathtaking views. Take a stroll on Nairn Beach, framed by low sand dunes and a promenade with an open, grassy links area.

Look out for in Stirling: 

Stirling Castle, one of Scotland’s most historically important sites, where you’ll be able to discover more about Scotland’s rich history. Interestingly, one of the most iconic Scottish victories took place in the city - the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297. 

Stirling Smith Art Gallery which houses an extensive collection of over 40,000 objects and artworks. It features various exhibitions from whale bones and Robert the Bruce to the Bronze-Age and World War II. 

Don’t miss stops:  

Aviemore 

Located in the northwest corner of the magnificent Cairngorms National Park. Make sure to explore The Cairngorms as it’s one of the best places in the UK to see wildlife and is home to 25% of Britain's threatened species. The railway station is right in the very heart of the National Park with easy access to gentle walks, forest trails and ebike hire.

Pitlochry 

Explore it by foot to experience Scotland’s majestic landscapes. There are plenty of walking routes to try. Embark on a stroll in Black Spout Wood, which takes its name from the striking Black Spout waterfall. Take a look at this impressive waterfall up close as it’s easily accessible from the centre.