Have you ever heard of or travelled on Scotland's Far North Line? Don't forget you can use the code ruthaisling at the link below to get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan: incogni.com/ruthaisling
Hi Ruth ~ I thought I would jump on quickly and say hello - I will settle down and watch your Vlog/video very soon but I’m waiting for the nurse to come in with teatime medication ~ I live in a rehabilitation centre as I suffer with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis and lupus. I’m either bedbound or wheelchair bound - so I can only dream about the travels you go on - the only part of Scotland I have been to Edinburgh ~ a few years ago my mum and dad went to Scotland. They drove up and then toured some of Scotland - they said it was absolutely beautiful and the scenery was amazing ~ and the hospitality was second to none - They went to Stonehaven ~ Ullapool ~ Inverness and a few other places but I can’t remember where - have a lovely Friday and a great weekend ~ sending love and hugs ~ Xxx Xxx
May your minds eye take you on journeys that satisfy your heart and May Jesus Christ bless you and protect you on these journey....❤.... Scotty in Alabama 😎
Armçhair traveling with you is a special delight. It is a stressful time where I am (USA) so being able to get away temporarily from the "real world" is a much welcome enjoyment. Thank you so much for being the best tour guide.
One year, before mobile phones etc., a north-going train got lost between Inverness and Wick. It became stuck in a snowdrift and, when the driver tried to reverse south again it got stuck again. The train was 'lost' for some hours. Enjoyable video!
@@ruthaisling Something like that happened in Donner Pass in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California about 1952. A passenger train ran into too heavy of snow and then backed up and got stuck. They were able to position the train in one of many solid rock tunnels and wooden Snow Sheds. There were several hundred passengers on the train. They were well supplied and nobody was worried at first. The heater and bathrooms worked. People on Snow Shoes got the word out and they tried everything to rescue the people. One attempt after another failed. They ran lower on food and the bathrooms needed to be serviced. Eventually they got Military tracked vehicles and gradually trip by trip got everyone out in fine shape. There had been a party with the new friends and the good food and drinking. This was in contrast to about 100 years earlier and a bit to the east the Donner Party which was an ill fated wagon train got trapped. They eventually turned to cannibalism.
The Far North Line is totally underrated. Everybody should do it at least once. It’s just as good as the Kyle Line and the West Highland line. The Flow Country and the views of the sea are amazing.
It's a small world - put on your video and got a pleasant surprise when a photo I took popped up on screen (I wrote the news story you scrolled through at the start, and also took the picture in it (snapped at Duirinish on the Kyle Line a few years back - another beautiful request stop)). 🙂
@ruthaisling If I remember correctly I think the Office of Rail and Road puts out a link every year around the end of that financial year. As well as a top sheet flagging up the 10 most and least used stations in the UK, it also leads to a huge publicly accessible spreadsheet for every station in the UK showing that year's total plus previous years so you can see if use at your station has gone up or down. It's quite interesting, but a lot of entries to look through. 🙂
Fantastic as always Ruth. We have so many scenic routes and it saddens me to see so many people with their heads buried in their phones instead of simply looking out, but then I'm a grumpy old man!
I agree about the phone part, I was sitting in a beautiful park the other day and everyone, I mean everyone had their eyes glued to their phone.. all this beauty around them and they didn't even look up, sad.
Thanks Ruth for another fantastic video! My Grandmother’s family were originally from Kildonan Scotland and were removed during the Highland Clearances and that’s how they came to Canada. I have always wanted to visit and this has inspired me to do so. Such beautiful landscapes! Love from Canada🇨🇦❤
That's wild! I'm in Toronto, albeit a Brit Dual, and 'was watching a Budd Railcar vid on Northern Ontario yesterday, (enter in the RUclips title search: 'Vintage Train is a Lifeline | Tripping 185 | Web Exclusive' ) just as remote if not more so than this....but being a Brit, the Scottish countryside is much more appealing to me. These views are stunning. I would take my bike to do distance in Scotland, but not in Northern Ontario.
Small world! I live in Squamish BC and my grandmother was born in Kildonan. We did the train trip to Wick just 2 months ago. Kildonan is beautiful!!!! Yes, you must go. We stayed for 3 nights in Helmsdale, where they first moved to during the Clearances.
Very well filmed and interesting commentary throughout. The Scottish Tourist Board should be paying you for these because you're doing a fantastic job in promoting Scotland as a great place to visit.
Yes please Ruth more train videos. The Forth bridge. The Tay bridge. West Highland Line. The Kyle Line. The Borders line. Lots of scenery and history. Some of the closed lines have become walks. Callander to Strathyre and beyond. Great video once again.👍
Hi Ruth. Another great video in a beautiful part of the world. My little boy, Henry (8), has just started to watch your videos and he loves them. Thanks for your work once again 😊
Thank you Ruth San for taking us along on another lovely journey. It means a lot to us who used to enjoy traveling the world and in some ways it's even better than being there.
I am a seasoned traveller on the Far North Line. Twice instead of waiting for the 12:30 train from Wick, I have caught the bus to Halkirk and walked to Scotscalder from there. Scotscalder Village Hall is about 1 mile from the station. On both occasions I boarded the train at Scotscalder I travelled to another request stop! Your video is superb showing the delights of the immediate area around the station.
I live in Thurso and travel on the line fairly regularly I would have thought that Altnabreac would have been the least used. You learn something new everyday!
Also, if using the Scotrail app, you must remember to ACTIVATE your ticket BEFORE boarding the train. We did the trip to Wick this past September. Of the 12 train trips we did in September, the route to Wick was the most memorable. As there are so few passengers, it was very peaceful and the scenery is stunning. Great video.
Thank you for another wonderful video! I’m a stay-at-home autism mom. When I was younger I got to do a lot of traveling. Now I currently homeschool our two kids and follow a very predictable routine close to home due to our daughter’s intense needs. Hopefully someday we’ll be able to venture out on little trips, but for now I’m truly grateful for all the work you put into these beautiful videos. Greetings again from Southern California!
The Far North Line is a story on the Calm app for sleep. I’ve heard all about the bespoke stops and the names of the stops. Very cool to see it in front of me here in my home in the USA! I definitely would like to experience this myself one day.
Surprised you didn't see any deer. Last time that I travelled up to Thurso on the way to Orkney, there were two little girls running up and down the carriage. On a long journey this was very distracting, however children are children and easily bored. So I stopped them and told them, that if they sat at the table on the opposite side of the aisle and looked out of the window, they would see some deer. Within five minutes they had seen several and that kept them quiet until Georgemas Junction where they got off the train. They were happy, I was happy. Love travelling by train. Love your videos. Best wishes. C.
Thank you for bringing our wonderful Northern Highlands on to your channel. We live near the Far North Line but have never actually been on it. We live about 9 miles from Culrane Station , another request stop but too far to walk and as there is no buses we have to use the car. You will probably find that the train windows are not dirty but showered with salt blown up from the sea. I continuously wash our cars as when we are near the coast they get covered in salt which is not good for the bodywork ! Thanks again Ruth and we await you future adventures 😀🚊🛳️🥃😀
Hi Ruth, there is just something very comfortable about travelling by train, You can just sit back and enjoy the journey watching the country scenes glide past. Thanks for letting us join you on this lovey trip.
I enjoyed this video. We have had great fun using trains between Edinburgh and London, but this trip sounds very nice and not very busy at this time of year. Very good to know it runs smoothly.
Ruth -- very glad that you did not get stuck having to spend the night in the train-station shelter! What lovely country (around the station) -- rolling hills and farmland, and 'heathered moors' -- and nice Autumn colors. I wonder what it was like when the train line and station were built 150 years ago -- was there more of a village there (like you found the old schoolhouse and church)? Thank you for taking us along! Oh -- just like you should always be wary of public WiFi -- never use public (train, plane, hotel, etc.) USB charging ports unless you have a "charge-only" cable (does not allow a data connection) -- in rare instances whatever is on the other end of that charging port may have nasty software which could attempt to compromise your devices. Thank you again for taking us along, even if you couldn't bring Ernie!!!
Salutations from Canada ! Just love watching your channel! Having Scottish roots myself I love seeing all the places you go to in Scotland (my grandmother was Scottish but was actually born in India as her father was stationed there at the beginning of the nineteen hundreds with the military). I always wondered what Scotland was like and now I can see it with your travels and it's just so interesting to me ! Thanks so much! Cheers! Lang May Yer Lum Reek! 🏴🇨🇦
Ruth, you are an amazing spokesperson for Scottish travelling. I also follow a gentleman from Perthshire named John who is a Scottish Metal Detectorist. John is also a tour guide, and he is amazing with his knowledge of Scottish history. I've noticed that you are also quite knowledgeable about the history of your glorious country. I look forward to your videos whenever I check into RUclips, you're an asset to your nation. One of the best things about using the train is that you can have a whiskey at one of your stops and not have to worry about driving!
@ I just found SteveMarsh who is doing some good content. His latest was a ferry from Denmark to Iceland. Looks great to do that. He does a lot of UK region videos.
I went Inverness to Thurso a few years ago and enjoyed every minute of it. The scenery is stunning, it was just a shame that it couldn't stop every two minutes for me to take some pictures. That's the photographer in me :)
Back in the ‘70’s I went on the sleeper train from Crewe to Mallaig, the scenery was breathtaking. I spent a couple of summers working in the Misty Isle Hotel and the Dunvegan hotel taking people on fishing and wildlife boat trips. Two of the best summers of my life. I don’t think the Misty is there any more, not been back for a few years, I need to go again soon. Love your travels, thank you! :))
Dunvegan Hotel is definitely still there but I'm pretty sure when we were over this year that The Misty had gone, think its been gone a few years. The Atholl is more of a guest house now too.
So nice to see the northern route out of Invernes again! I was one of a few Americans living in Thurso way back in 2008 and would often take ScotRail down to Inverness for the weekend, spending the weekend there to do shopping and going to the cinema! My mothr' family is in the Inverness area.
@ruthaisling I did like it quite a bit, and I was surprised to find that there were several Americans living in Thurso! I lived there for nearly a year, and I got used to the fact that if I wanted a Big Mac from McDonald's I would have to travel all the way down to Inverness!
@@thehighlandlife2023 that is exactly what I tell folks here in the states, when I lived in thurso the nearest McDonald's was over a hundred miles away and that was the one in Inverness! This is back in 2008 when I lived there for just shy of a year. But if one wanted a true cinema to go to, not the rinky dinky one in Thurso, it would be to get on the train and head on down to Inverness and go to The Vue Cinema just outside of town in Inverness. I would make a weekend out of it, staying at the hotel right at the station in Inverness. Even though I had a car, I prefer to take the train down to Inverness. The A9 at Berriedale Braes scared the crap out of me with its hairpin turn!
@@RaymondCallowayI have since found out that children train prices are £1/£2 and as a large family the price for 6 of us to travel by train was just too much but now I know this we will be taking some train rides!! As Iv always wanted to do the train down to Inverness. Yes Berridale is a dozie isn’t it to drive!! But a lovely scenic drive on the coastal road. We love living here even if we are hours and hours from a city. I share some videos of our life here in the Scottish highlands if you were ever interested. Only a tiny channel however unlike Ruth’s.
My partner and I, Canadians, recently took a cruise around the British Isles, including stops in Lerwick, Invergordon and Edinburgh. While in Invergordon we took a bus ride to Loch Ness and Culloden. It was so refreshing to sit back in the coach and enjoy the lovely countryside! I can relate to this travelogue, and your videos inspire me to return to bonny Scotland one day. Slainte!
Fantastic, quite a few years ago, I purchased a Britrail pass, i don't even know if they still exist. I caught the train from Glasgow to Inverness, with a fellow Kiwi traveller, glorious train ride, we met up with a couple of Australians, departed at Inverness. Once we had our accommodation sorted, we headed straight to the pub, and like idiots (we were young) 19 years old at the time, stayed there until closing time, and in the morning travelled to Edinburgh without seeing anything that Inverness had to offer. One of these days, I'll head back.
Very strange type of fence they have there along the line, with the wood beams crossed. Then, before Wick, the train changes direction towards Thurso. One moment you travel face forward, then face backwards and finish the trip face forward. (If you travel to Wick). You should visit the Old Pultney distillery and the shortest street in the world next time you will be in Wick.
I love the rail system of countries like Scotland (and Japan's is great too). I hope to explore by vehicle next time but the rail system allowed me to hit all the well known places as a tourist.
Perhaps you can get one of those rain jackets that store inside its own pocket or a small folding umbrella. I heard a British saying: There is no bad weather, only bad clothing choices. Thanks for sharing, I'm glad it stopped raining.
Being an old man , that locked toilet would have been a disaster ! That was ,as usual, a very enjoyable vlog. Your humour and that amazing accent really makes your channel a treat to watch. Thank you for sharing. 😊
Nice one Ruth 👍 glad you got the train back because i think i would rather be on St Kilda for the night than Scotscalder station !! Keep doing your thing
I think the line to Kyle of Lochalsh is the most beautiful. Inverness station in the 60s was dark, noisy when there was a train, bleak, desolate. What a change! Now it’s bright and lively.
I took the train from Inverness to London about 30 years ago. I missed the last train and spent the night upstairs in a pub and caught the morning train. We went to a college bar downtown and witnessed drunk young men running sideways down the sidewalk while peeing. Such a rare talent
Traveled this line form the opposite end ie Thurso to Inverness in 2003. This was due to the unfortunate event of my friends car being written off in an accident just outside Thurso. Worry not, no one involved was hurt. It is quite a long journey but the amazing scenery makes it well worth it. PS. Don't buy anything on the train, the prices are legalised robbery. Thanks for the video.👍🏴
@ruthaisling I've been bin watching your videos and really love the country Scotland. It's actually really beautiful, these kind videos I love watching since I can't walk without pain in my mid 50's anymore. But thank you.
I used to travel on trains in Scotland a few years ago, the trains are always quiet with plenty of seats and there was always something out the window worth looking at. I think maybe next year I might take a tent and just do a bit wild camping up there as I sort of miss it.
This line is quiet now but in the recent past it had a lot of timber traffic, in the distant past during the world wars 1 and 2 a lot of Navy supplies would have come this way to supply Scapa Flow, and Invergordon when they where the North Atlantic bases for the Navy. The largest items would be new gun barrels for the ships guns which have a limited life if used.(around 100 shots for a big gun) Also in the past the distilleries in Invergordon, Tain and others, would require supply to and deliveries from.by train. But the views are really something to write home about.
Another lovely, remote Scotland video. Enjoyed this adventure. Beautiful country. We are planning our next caravan trip up to Thurso. Thanks for the rich content video.
You're an inspiration Ruth, an authentic voice to accompany the lovely videos of your native land. Watching has made me want to see much more. I once caught the sleeper back to London from Inverness. I met a wonderful old lady in the waiting area, it was quite late at night when we boarded. She was on her way to visit her son in London and did the journey quite often. She didn't book a cabin, she just yanked up her wool skirt and curled up across an aisle of seats to crash out. She was an inspiration too.😇 I've done the sleeper twice, and did book a cabin once, but so long as its fairly empty crashing out in your seat is fine.
I haven't traveled via ScotRail yet, but I went from London to Edinburgh and back via Lumo, and it was great. I loved standing up to stretch my legs in between the coaches and watching the countryside go by. I can't get enough of Scotland.
The train stations and scenic views of Scotland that Ruth introduces always soothe me. I'm really grateful. I hope you continue to have wonderful trips.
Good morning Ruth! Hello from Norway, I love your videos and the wonderful presentations! Keep up the good work! Thank you so much for the inspiration to explore Scotland!
I really appreciated this video, Ruth. My elderly mother is always telling me that I need to take the train up to Thurso. She watches 'The Highland Vet' from here in Toronto, Canada and knows I love visiting Scotland. Your video provided me with some insight (although you didn't go that far up the coast)... Thank you. You Are Awesome!
Thanks, Ruth, for another interesting vlog. Beautiful place and so quiet 😊 apart from the trains 😅 I'm pleased that you didn't get in the car as you have to be so careful today. Keep safe x
What a lovely video Ruth, really interesting and well explained, thank you. Reading some of the comments here, you can see how much joy you bring to many people, it is such a worthwhile thing you are doing. You are SO good at this!
Some stations with hardly any passengers such as Pilning and Bordesley have hardly any trains i e one per week. The far north line looks stunning and more trains.
What a lovely different video Ruth ,all done with your beautiful enthusiasm ..I have seen others do the Caledonian sleeper ,would be amazing you doing it ..take care 😊
Hi there Ruth what a lovely train adventure , OMG why would they lock the toilet that would suck for someone elderly . Again beautiful area to see I appreciate you taking us along for the ride , id love to take an adventure on a train, love those stone walls look much better that a fence. Nice that the small town is not cut off from other area with train service . Thanks Ruth
Hello, from The Pacific Northwest! I love all of the information you give and I really am so inspired with your videos! I hope to one day be able to travel some of Scotland’s beautiful roads and train lines seeing the country, castles and important landmarks. I have family from Scotland and would love to see the land where they lived! Until then, it is a pleasure to watch your vlogs! God bless!❤😊🙏🏻🇺🇸🏴
Your videos enrich a lot my knowledge about scotland ,local communities,history and so on. Additionnaly i earned new way haw to handle issues so keep it on
Hi Ruth, from Tennessee! Some of the scenery looks like middle and eastern Tennessee. So beautiful there in Scotland, I’m hoping to visit someday soon… God bless!
Love watching your adventures. I so wish I could visit my homeland, but since that will never happen. I am excited each week to have you share your beautiful countryside with me. ❤ Take care
I think you enjoyed this more than your visit to Edinburgh! I think it was better value for money at least!! looking forward to our next video! I wonder where you'll get to next?
Hello Ruth I just found your channel and I love it I’m from the coast of Mississippi USA but my ancestry is Scottish and I have always wanted to visit thank you for letting me experience your country
Your videos are so entertaining and informative. Plenty of other vloggers can give out facts but your personality and smile just put you on top of the heap for me. Thanks again Ruth.
Hi Ruth Although I live in a beautiful place (Kona Hawaii) I love the beautiful places you allow your viewers to visit! This vid is lots of fun for me--a trip through the Scottish highlands while sitting under a tree at the beach in the middle of the Pacific Ocean ! What a wonderful time to be alive. When I finish watching your video I and going to use my flight simulator to fly up and down and all sound the route you took from Inverness! Mahalo Nui Loa
Very interesting to watch, hopefully my brother and I will be doing that line to Wick in a couple of years time. Well worth doing the sleeper to London if you get the chance, we have done it several times, always an adventure.
Loved your train adventure and would love to see some of the bigger towns down the line. I was so scared the return train wasn’t going to stop for you! Glad you made it safely back💖
Have you ever heard of or travelled on Scotland's Far North Line?
Don't forget you can use the code ruthaisling at the link below to get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan: incogni.com/ruthaisling
Hi from USA safe travels
More importantly through Ruth, did you manage to use the toilet😂😂😂
I'm one of them persons that if it's north it's got to be good 👍
@@itsmephil2255haha good question 😂
@@ruthaisling 😂
Hi Ruth ~ I thought I would jump on quickly and say hello - I will settle down and watch your Vlog/video very soon but I’m waiting for the nurse to come in with teatime medication ~ I live in a rehabilitation centre as I suffer with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis and lupus. I’m either bedbound or wheelchair bound - so I can only dream about the travels you go on - the only part of Scotland I have been to Edinburgh ~ a few years ago my mum and dad went to Scotland. They drove up and then toured some of Scotland - they said it was absolutely beautiful and the scenery was amazing ~ and the hospitality was second to none - They went to Stonehaven ~ Ullapool ~ Inverness and a few other places but I can’t remember where - have a lovely Friday and a great weekend ~ sending love and hugs ~ Xxx Xxx
May your minds eye take you on journeys that satisfy your heart and May Jesus Christ bless you and protect you on these journey....❤.... Scotty in Alabama 😎
I lived in Inverness Florida 🎉🎉
@@jeanlawson9133 Absolutely! Now you mention it I should thank Jesus Christ for my disability! What a blessing!
I hope you enjoy this video Louise! I always enjoy reading your comments! ❤
May our good Lord bless you with strength Louise ✝️🙏x
Armçhair traveling with you is a special delight. It is a stressful time where I am (USA) so being able to get away temporarily from the "real world" is a much welcome enjoyment. Thank you so much for being the best tour guide.
@meletcl stressful is one word you could you say . I’m crushed and am slowly getting back into social media again. Young Ruth is making it easier
One year, before mobile phones etc., a north-going train got lost between Inverness and Wick. It became stuck in a snowdrift and, when the driver tried to reverse south again it got stuck again. The train was 'lost' for some hours. Enjoyable video!
Wow, that’s quite a story! Must have been freezing 🥶
@@ruthaisling
Something like that happened in Donner Pass in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California about 1952. A passenger train ran into too heavy of snow and then backed up and got stuck. They were able to position the train in one of many solid rock tunnels and wooden Snow Sheds. There were several hundred passengers on the train. They were well supplied and nobody was worried at first. The heater and bathrooms worked. People on Snow Shoes got the word out and they tried everything to rescue the people. One attempt after another failed. They ran lower on food and the bathrooms needed to be serviced. Eventually they got Military tracked vehicles and gradually trip by trip got everyone out in fine shape. There had been a party with the new friends and the good food and drinking.
This was in contrast to about 100 years earlier and a bit to the east the Donner Party which was an ill fated wagon train got trapped. They eventually turned to cannibalism.
The Far North Line is totally underrated. Everybody should do it at least once. It’s just as good as the Kyle Line and the West Highland line. The Flow Country and the views of the sea are amazing.
Oh yes, it's so lovely!
I totally agree! Slightly bias but yes the far north is beautiful
It's a small world - put on your video and got a pleasant surprise when a photo I took popped up on screen (I wrote the news story you scrolled through at the start, and also took the picture in it (snapped at Duirinish on the Kyle Line a few years back - another beautiful request stop)). 🙂
Oh my goodness, that's amazing! Where did you find all the data for the least used stations?
@ruthaisling If I remember correctly I think the Office of Rail and Road puts out a link every year around the end of that financial year. As well as a top sheet flagging up the 10 most and least used stations in the UK, it also leads to a huge publicly accessible spreadsheet for every station in the UK showing that year's total plus previous years so you can see if use at your station has gone up or down. It's quite interesting, but a lot of entries to look through. 🙂
@@HighlandMurrayohhhh this is super interesting thanks for sharing! Some hardly used stations up here and I find it fascinating
I think it’s fabulous that these stations are kept going as request stops. Lovely countryside.
I totally agree!
Dr Beeching hands off 😂
Fantastic as always Ruth. We have so many scenic routes and it saddens me to see so many people with their heads buried in their phones instead of simply looking out, but then I'm a grumpy old man!
I agree!! So many people miss the beautiful of life and their surroundings with their eyes glued to their phone!!
Maybe they do the route very often 😂
I agree about the phone part, I was sitting in a beautiful park the other day and everyone, I mean everyone had their eyes glued to their phone.. all this beauty around them and they didn't even look up, sad.
@@ruthaisling Good point Ruth, but I travel to Dumfries regularly and never tire of the view and the wildlife.
Thanks Ruth for another fantastic video! My Grandmother’s family were originally from Kildonan Scotland and were removed during the Highland Clearances and that’s how they came to Canada. I have always wanted to visit and this has inspired me to do so. Such beautiful landscapes! Love from Canada🇨🇦❤
Kildonan was where in 1869 Scotland had it's very own gold rush. Unfortunately it lasted only until 1870.
I'm sure you will love it, try and fit in that train journey if you do visit!
That's wild! I'm in Toronto, albeit a Brit Dual, and 'was watching a Budd Railcar vid on Northern Ontario yesterday, (enter in the RUclips title search: 'Vintage Train is a Lifeline | Tripping 185 | Web Exclusive' ) just as remote if not more so than this....but being a Brit, the Scottish countryside is much more appealing to me. These views are stunning. I would take my bike to do distance in Scotland, but not in Northern Ontario.
Small world! I live in Squamish BC and my grandmother was born in Kildonan. We did the train trip to Wick just 2 months ago. Kildonan is beautiful!!!! Yes, you must go. We stayed for 3 nights in Helmsdale, where they first moved to during the Clearances.
Very well filmed and interesting commentary throughout. The Scottish Tourist Board should be paying you for these because you're doing a fantastic job in promoting Scotland as a great place to visit.
I couldn't agree more, l used to go to Scotland a lot, lm now planning to resume my travels...
@@vicwyatt7671Scotland is like another world!
Yes please Ruth more train videos. The Forth bridge. The Tay bridge. West Highland Line. The Kyle Line. The Borders line. Lots of scenery and history. Some of the closed lines have become walks. Callander to Strathyre and beyond.
Great video once again.👍
The Borders line sounds very nice. USA Florida here.
@sunnyside9988 Yes all very scenic. It was closed down in the 60s and only reopened about 10 years ago.👍
Stay tuned for a future video, one of those places you mention might feature!
@ruthaisling Sounds great Ruth. Thanks👍
Hi Ruth. Another great video in a beautiful part of the world. My little boy, Henry (8), has just started to watch your videos and he loves them. Thanks for your work once again 😊
Thank you Ruth San for taking us along on another lovely journey. It means a lot to us who used to enjoy traveling the world and in some ways it's even better than being there.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I am a seasoned traveller on the Far North Line. Twice instead of waiting for the 12:30 train from Wick, I have caught the bus to Halkirk and walked to Scotscalder from there. Scotscalder Village Hall is about 1 mile from the station. On both occasions I boarded the train at Scotscalder I travelled to another request stop! Your video is superb showing the delights of the immediate area around the station.
Sounds like some great trips you have had!
I live in Thurso and travel on the line fairly regularly I would have thought that Altnabreac would have been the least used. You learn something new everyday!
This channel has it all, travel good foods and drinks, accommodations, animals, an ADORABLE accent and a van name Earny ☯️
Glad you think so!
Also, if using the Scotrail app, you must remember to ACTIVATE your ticket BEFORE boarding the train. We did the trip to Wick this past September. Of the 12 train trips we did in September, the route to Wick was the most memorable. As there are so few passengers, it was very peaceful and the scenery is stunning. Great video.
Thank you! Yes, I’ll be organised with the app next time!
Thank you for another wonderful video! I’m a stay-at-home autism mom. When I was younger I got to do a lot of traveling. Now I currently homeschool our two kids and follow a very predictable routine close to home due to our daughter’s intense needs. Hopefully someday we’ll be able to venture out on little trips, but for now I’m truly grateful for all the work you put into these beautiful videos. Greetings again from Southern California!
The Far North Line is a story on the Calm app for sleep. I’ve heard all about the bespoke stops and the names of the stops. Very cool to see it in front of me here in my home in the USA! I definitely would like to experience this myself one day.
No way!! I live in the far north!
Ruth you are the best Ambassadrice Scotland ever had! Love your videos. Thumbs up from France.
Wow, thank you!
Surprised you didn't see any deer. Last time that I travelled up to Thurso on the way to Orkney, there were two little girls running up and down the carriage. On a long journey this was very distracting, however children are children and easily bored. So I stopped them and told them, that if they sat at the table on the opposite side of the aisle and looked out of the window, they would see some deer. Within five minutes they had seen several and that kept them quiet until Georgemas Junction where they got off the train. They were happy, I was happy. Love travelling by train. Love your videos. Best wishes. C.
What a great game for them 🦌
Thank you for bringing our wonderful Northern Highlands on to your channel. We live near the Far North Line but have never actually been on it. We live about 9 miles from Culrane Station , another request stop but too far to walk and as there is no buses we have to use the car. You will probably find that the train windows are not dirty but showered with salt blown up from the sea. I continuously wash our cars as when we are near the coast they get covered in salt which is not good for the bodywork ! Thanks again Ruth and we await you future adventures 😀🚊🛳️🥃😀
That was fab Ruth. Such a remote journey but stunning all the same. Well, train windows permitting!
Trains are my favorite transportation! So cool, thanks for sharing!
Thanks for watching!
Hi Ruth, there is just something very comfortable about travelling by train, You can just sit back and enjoy the journey watching the country scenes glide past. Thanks for letting us join you on this lovey trip.
Thanks for watching!
I enjoyed this video. We have had great fun using trains between Edinburgh and London, but this trip sounds very nice and not very busy at this time of year. Very good to know it runs smoothly.
Ruth -- very glad that you did not get stuck having to spend the night in the train-station shelter! What lovely country (around the station) -- rolling hills and farmland, and 'heathered moors' -- and nice Autumn colors. I wonder what it was like when the train line and station were built 150 years ago -- was there more of a village there (like you found the old schoolhouse and church)? Thank you for taking us along! Oh -- just like you should always be wary of public WiFi -- never use public (train, plane, hotel, etc.) USB charging ports unless you have a "charge-only" cable (does not allow a data connection) -- in rare instances whatever is on the other end of that charging port may have nasty software which could attempt to compromise your devices. Thank you again for taking us along, even if you couldn't bring Ernie!!!
Salutations from Canada ! Just love watching your channel! Having Scottish roots myself I love seeing all the places you go to in Scotland (my grandmother was Scottish but was actually born in India as her father was stationed there at the beginning of the nineteen hundreds with the military). I always wondered what Scotland was like and now I can see it with your travels and it's just so interesting to me ! Thanks so much! Cheers! Lang May Yer Lum Reek! 🏴🇨🇦
Ruth, you are an amazing spokesperson for Scottish travelling. I also follow a gentleman from Perthshire named John who is a Scottish Metal Detectorist. John is also a tour guide, and he is amazing with his knowledge of Scottish history. I've noticed that you are also quite knowledgeable about the history of your glorious country.
I look forward to your videos whenever I check into RUclips, you're an asset to your nation.
One of the best things about using the train is that you can have a whiskey at one of your stops and not have to worry about driving!
Thanks for your love comments, and very good point about the whisky although I did have to drive again once I returned to Inverness!
Is your fellow on RUclips? Do you have a channel name to share? Very interested to see those.
@@johnmcvicker6728 His name is John and look for The Scottish detectorist!
@@johnmcvicker6728me too! I am always trying to find fellow people on RUclips in Scotland
@ I just found SteveMarsh who is doing some good content. His latest was a ferry from Denmark to Iceland. Looks great to do that. He does a lot of UK region videos.
I went Inverness to Thurso a few years ago and enjoyed every minute of it. The scenery is stunning, it was just a shame that it couldn't stop every two minutes for me to take some pictures. That's the photographer in me :)
Back in the ‘70’s I went on the sleeper train from Crewe to Mallaig, the scenery was breathtaking. I spent a couple of summers working in the Misty Isle Hotel and the Dunvegan hotel taking people on fishing and wildlife boat trips. Two of the best summers of my life.
I don’t think the Misty is there any more, not been back for a few years, I need to go again soon. Love your travels, thank you! :))
Dunvegan Hotel is definitely still there but I'm pretty sure when we were over this year that The Misty had gone, think its been gone a few years. The Atholl is more of a guest house now too.
So nice to see the northern route out of Invernes again! I was one of a few Americans living in Thurso way back in 2008 and would often take ScotRail down to Inverness for the weekend, spending the weekend there to do shopping and going to the cinema! My mothr' family is in the Inverness area.
Oh wow lovely! Did you like living in Thurso?
@ruthaisling I did like it quite a bit, and I was surprised to find that there were several Americans living in Thurso! I lived there for nearly a year, and I got used to the fact that if I wanted a Big Mac from McDonald's I would have to travel all the way down to Inverness!
@@RaymondCallowayhe he! This is our life now, thankfully my kids aren’t too fussed it’s over 2 hours from the nearest McDonald’s 🤣🤣🤣
@@thehighlandlife2023 that is exactly what I tell folks here in the states, when I lived in thurso the nearest McDonald's was over a hundred miles away and that was the one in Inverness! This is back in 2008 when I lived there for just shy of a year. But if one wanted a true cinema to go to, not the rinky dinky one in Thurso, it would be to get on the train and head on down to Inverness and go to The Vue Cinema just outside of town in Inverness. I would make a weekend out of it, staying at the hotel right at the station in Inverness. Even though I had a car, I prefer to take the train down to Inverness. The A9 at Berriedale Braes scared the crap out of me with its hairpin turn!
@@RaymondCallowayI have since found out that children train prices are £1/£2 and as a large family the price for 6 of us to travel by train was just too much but now I know this we will be taking some train rides!! As Iv always wanted to do the train down to Inverness. Yes Berridale is a dozie isn’t it to drive!! But a lovely scenic drive on the coastal road. We love living here even if we are hours and hours from a city.
I share some videos of our life here in the Scottish highlands if you were ever interested. Only a tiny channel however unlike Ruth’s.
My partner and I, Canadians, recently took a cruise around the British Isles, including stops in Lerwick, Invergordon and Edinburgh. While in Invergordon we took a bus ride to Loch Ness and Culloden. It was so refreshing to sit back in the coach and enjoy the lovely countryside! I can relate to this travelogue, and your videos inspire me to return to bonny Scotland one day. Slainte!
Your accent is like sweet music to my ears... love and admiration from Chile. :)
Thanks for watching from Chile!
Fantastic, quite a few years ago, I purchased a Britrail pass, i don't even know if they still exist. I caught the train from Glasgow to Inverness, with a fellow Kiwi traveller, glorious train ride, we met up with a couple of Australians, departed at Inverness. Once we had our accommodation sorted, we headed straight to the pub, and like idiots (we were young) 19 years old at the time, stayed there until closing time, and in the morning travelled to Edinburgh without seeing anything that Inverness had to offer. One of these days, I'll head back.
What a treat to have two videos in one week! ☺️
Very strange type of fence they have there along the line, with the wood beams crossed. Then, before Wick, the train changes direction towards Thurso. One moment you travel face forward, then face backwards and finish the trip face forward. (If you travel to Wick).
You should visit the Old Pultney distillery and the shortest street in the world next time you will be in Wick.
Is it to stop deer? Get a lot of deer in that area
I love the rail system of countries like Scotland (and Japan's is great too). I hope to explore by vehicle next time but the rail system allowed me to hit all the well known places as a tourist.
Good to know Japan does! As we are off there next year 😍
Really enjoy the videos. Thank you!
That's very kind of you, thank you!
Perhaps you can get one of those rain jackets that store inside its own pocket or a small folding umbrella. I heard a British saying: There is no bad weather, only bad clothing choices. Thanks for sharing, I'm glad it stopped raining.
Since no one mentioned it yet, I certainly hope
you figured out a plan to deal with the need to use the restroom 😊
Yes. I would have pressed the help button to request the code.
When there's so much space, some opportunity would certainly turn up by itself, don't you think?
Lol! I was curious about that too. Assumed in the end it may have been a trip to the nearby bushes, but one to keep out of the vlog. 😅
👍
Hi my mum went up that line in the 1920 to work in Thurso from Bourbon on the Water in Gloucestershire thank you for that memory it took 4 days
Oh wooow!
That’s quite a journey. So random because we used to live in Gloucestershire but now live in the far north of Scotland!
Being an old man , that locked toilet would have been a disaster !
That was ,as usual, a very enjoyable vlog. Your humour and that amazing accent really makes your channel a treat to watch. Thank you for sharing. 😊
Me too, lol. I saw that bridge she was walking over and thought, I would just slip down the side there for a moment.. :)
This lady is an inspiration to all, especially young girls & women. Shame others are not. Thank you Ruth
Thank you 🙏
Nice one Ruth 👍 glad you got the train back because i think i would rather be on St Kilda for the night than Scotscalder station !! Keep doing your thing
But the station probably doesn’t have that HUGE mouse which shared her tent on St Kilda. 😧
Loved the video Ruth,we have a station near us that had 950 passengers last year,Berney Arms in Norfolk.
I don't think Ruth would like that, too crowded!
Are you part of the passenger count? 😂
@ruthaisling I wasn't but I will be soon!
@@caw25shayesss! Same here like Ruth I think it would be too crowded for people like us!
Ruth you are nothing short of an inspiration for many. God bless you and be safe on your many travels.❤
I think the line to Kyle of Lochalsh is the most beautiful. Inverness station in the 60s was dark, noisy when there was a train, bleak, desolate. What a change! Now it’s bright and lively.
Yes, it’s really nice!
Yes about rain I always say if you leave without your umbrella it will rain if you take your umbrella it won’t rain.
@@vgshwk absolutely!
英国に憧れがあります！
ルースさん、応援しています！
I admire the UK!
Ruth, I'm rooting for you!
Hi Ruth thanks for the video, a pity the train isn’t used more,but it looked like nice journey, 👍👍👍
The trains used but the station itself isn’t all that much, I live not far from there!
Many thanks!
Wow, I had forgotten that the trains went north of Inverness! Long may they and you thrive!
Thank you!!
He he!! I think people don’t often think there’s any north of Inverness! 🤣 But we are up here 😂
Phew , What a relief when that train driver acknowledged your wave to stop , a night spent in that shelter would not have been pleasant.
Anyway down there the crime rates won't be very high I guess......
I probably would have called a taxi to go to that nearest village or town…
@@Anton-pu3jzit feels like the safest place in the UK. Love bringing my kids up in the far north x
Nice day trip Ruth! Bring along a picnic, take a little walk and back to town. Sounds quite relaxing.
It was!
I took the train from Inverness to London about 30 years ago. I missed the last train and spent the night upstairs in a pub and caught the morning train. We went to a college bar downtown and witnessed drunk young men running sideways down the sidewalk while peeing. Such a rare talent
Sounds like Ireland :)
😂😂😂😂😂
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Traveled this line form the opposite end ie Thurso to Inverness in 2003. This was due to the unfortunate event of my friends car being written off in an accident just outside Thurso. Worry not, no one involved was hurt.
It is quite a long journey but the amazing scenery makes it well worth it.
PS. Don't buy anything on the train, the prices are legalised robbery.
Thanks for the video.👍🏴
A wee folding umbrella is always a good backup if you forget the rain coat.
And then I just need to remember it!! Good tip 👍
Thank you for your lovely videos Ruth. Brings me back to hiking around Orkney as a uni student.
Thank you Ruth.
It's really nice to see the countryside and that the railways are still so important.
Glad you liked this video! ❤
@ruthaisling I've been bin watching your videos and really love the country Scotland. It's actually really beautiful, these kind videos I love watching since I can't walk without pain in my mid 50's anymore. But thank you.
I used to travel on trains in Scotland a few years ago, the trains are always quiet with plenty of seats and there was always something out the window worth looking at. I think maybe next year I might take a tent and just do a bit wild camping up there as I sort of miss it.
You should! Just don’t forget your rain jacket!!
@ruthaisling oh I'm used to rain, snow and blow. I usually wear a t-shirt mid winter x
This line is quiet now but in the recent past it had a lot of timber traffic, in the distant past during the world wars 1 and 2 a lot of Navy supplies would have come this way to supply Scapa Flow, and Invergordon when they where the North Atlantic bases for the Navy. The largest items would be new gun barrels for the ships guns which have a limited life if used.(around 100 shots for a big gun) Also in the past the distilleries in Invergordon, Tain and others, would require supply to and deliveries from.by train. But the views are really something to write home about.
This is so interesting to know thank you 🙏
Nice idea for this adventure. Thanks for your happy spirit in this video :)
Another lovely, remote Scotland video. Enjoyed this adventure. Beautiful country. We are planning our next caravan trip up to Thurso. Thanks for the rich content video.
Always fun. I went to Inverness forty years ago and was unduly pestered by rabbits. Well hare today, gone tomorrow. Enjoy what you do.. Travel well.
You're an inspiration Ruth, an authentic voice to accompany the lovely videos of your native land. Watching has made me want to see much more. I once caught the sleeper back to London from Inverness. I met a wonderful old lady in the waiting area, it was quite late at night when we boarded. She was on her way to visit her son in London and did the journey quite often. She didn't book a cabin, she just yanked up her wool skirt and curled up across an aisle of seats to crash out. She was an inspiration too.😇 I've done the sleeper twice, and did book a cabin once, but so long as its fairly empty crashing out in your seat is fine.
I haven't traveled via ScotRail yet, but I went from London to Edinburgh and back via Lumo, and it was great. I loved standing up to stretch my legs in between the coaches and watching the countryside go by. I can't get enough of Scotland.
The train stations and scenic views of Scotland that Ruth introduces always soothe me. I'm really grateful. I hope you continue to have wonderful trips.
Many thanks!
As an American, I am so incredibly in awe of Scotland's rail system! I wish we had that too!
Hi Ruth ステキな旅ですね！こんなビデオブログが好きです。have a nice trip
What a lovely station,and,a great place to live,i would be in my element,the sounds of silence would be amazing,thanks ruth!
It’s an amazing place to live!
2 videos in a week Ruth!! You have been busy!! Wonderful!!! Looking forward to watching this later! X
Hope you enjoy!
Good morning Ruth! Hello from Norway, I love your videos and the wonderful presentations! Keep up the good work! Thank you so much for the inspiration to explore Scotland!
Thank you so much!
Really love your videos!❤
Thank you 🙏
I really appreciated this video, Ruth. My elderly mother is always telling me that I need to take the train up to Thurso. She watches 'The Highland Vet' from here in Toronto, Canada and knows I love visiting Scotland. Your video provided me with some insight (although you didn't go that far up the coast)... Thank you. You Are Awesome!
Thank you 😊 I’m so pleased you enjoyed the train journey.
Thanks, Ruth, for another interesting vlog. Beautiful place and so quiet 😊 apart from the trains 😅 I'm pleased that you didn't get in the car as you have to be so careful today. Keep safe x
What a lovely video Ruth, really interesting and well explained, thank you. Reading some of the comments here, you can see how much joy you bring to many people, it is such a worthwhile thing you are doing. You are SO good at this!
Thank you so much!
Wow, two videos this week! Another great, brave adventure!
Hope you enjoyed it!
Some stations with hardly any passengers such as Pilning and Bordesley have hardly any trains i e one per week.
The far north line looks stunning and more trains.
What a lovely different video Ruth ,all done with your beautiful enthusiasm ..I have seen others do the Caledonian sleeper ,would be amazing you doing it ..take care 😊
There’s something so cosy about those trains in northern Scotland!
Hi there Ruth what a lovely train adventure , OMG why would they lock the toilet that would suck for someone elderly . Again beautiful area to see I appreciate you taking us along for the ride , id love to take an adventure on a train, love those stone walls look much better that a fence. Nice that the small town is not cut off from other area with train service . Thanks Ruth
Hello, from The Pacific Northwest! I love all of the information you give and I really am so inspired with your videos! I hope to one day be able to travel some of Scotland’s beautiful roads and train lines seeing the country, castles and important landmarks. I have family from Scotland and would love to see the land where they lived! Until then, it is a pleasure to watch your vlogs! God bless!❤😊🙏🏻🇺🇸🏴
Thank you so much! I really hope you manage a trip to Scotland 🏴
Your videos enrich a lot my knowledge about scotland ,local communities,history and so on. Additionnaly i earned new way haw to handle issues so keep it on
I love your videos. I find them so relaxing. I live in the US so to see something so simple and happy is great. Thank you so much.
You are so welcome!
Hi Ruth, from Tennessee! Some of the scenery looks like middle and eastern Tennessee. So beautiful there in Scotland, I’m hoping to visit someday soon… God bless!
Brilliant as usual. i drove around this area 40 years ago and fond memories of a time when it was quieter than 2024.
I always appreciated those trollies as I wound around Scotland.
Love watching your adventures. I so wish I could visit my homeland, but since that will never happen. I am excited each week to have you share your beautiful countryside with me. ❤
Take care
I’m so pleased you’re enjoying the videos!
I think you enjoyed this more than your visit to Edinburgh! I think it was better value for money at least!! looking forward to our next video! I wonder where you'll get to next?
Hello Ruth I just found your channel and I love it I’m from the coast of Mississippi USA but my ancestry is Scottish and I have always wanted to visit thank you for letting me experience your country
I love this type of content Ruth. These little out of the way places have always fascinated me.
Your videos are so entertaining and informative. Plenty of other vloggers can give out facts but your personality and smile just put you on top of the heap for me. Thanks again Ruth.
Hi Ruth
Although I live in a beautiful place (Kona Hawaii) I love the beautiful places you allow your viewers to visit!
This vid is lots of fun for me--a trip through the Scottish highlands while sitting under a tree at the beach in the middle of the Pacific Ocean !
What a wonderful time to be alive.
When I finish watching your video I and going to use my flight simulator to fly up and down and all sound the route you took from Inverness!
Mahalo Nui Loa
That’s so amazing! We live in the Scottish Highlands and would love to see Hawaii one day but there is nowhere like Scotland that’s for sure!
Very interesting to watch, hopefully my brother and I will be doing that line to Wick in a couple of years time.
Well worth doing the sleeper to London if you get the chance, we have done it several times, always an adventure.
This is my local train station! I use it about 10 times a year. Nice surprise to see you up this way.
No way I know this area well
Loved your train adventure and would love to see some of the bigger towns down the line. I was so scared the return train wasn’t going to stop for you! Glad you made it safely back💖
The LLPA (long line public address) systems are so priceless on these unstaffed stations.
Great technology
Strange the sign at station explaining where nearest things were, was in Kilometres & not Miles.
Best if both are displayed for UK & non Uk people.
I agree as I don’t work in KM so I always have to think or convert them!?
I Love this area of the Highlands.
Thanks for taking us along!
😊😊
I am so impressed with the rail system there! Where I live (Tasmania) we do not even have a good bus service around the state.
Yes, it’s pretty good.