Railline › Far North Line: Inverness to Thurso and Wick
Far North Line: Inverness to Thurso and Wick
The Far North Line is Britain's most northerly railway, running 168 miles from Inverness to Wick and Thurso through the Highlands and the Flow Country.
Route and stations
The line runs from Inverness to Wick (161 miles 33 chains) with a branch from Georgemas Junction to Thurso (6 miles 50 chains), 168 miles in total. It has 26 stations, is single track with passing loops, is not electrified and has no tunnels. At Dingwall Junction the Kyle of Lochalsh line branches off west.
Operator
Operator (checked November 2026): ScotRail runs all passenger trains, using Class 158 diesel units. All services start or end at Inverness. A full run from Inverness to Wick takes about 4 hours 20 minutes. In 2022 there were four trains a day running the full length to Wick via Thurso on weekdays and Saturdays, with fewer on Sundays.
Opening
It was built in stages: Inverness to Ardgay on 11 June 1862, Ardgay to Golspie on 13 April 1868, Golspie to Helmsdale on 1 November 1870 and Helmsdale to Wick and Thurso on 28 July 1874.
The Lairg loop
From Tain the line follows the shore of the Dornoch Firth rather than crossing it as the A9 does, then loops inland through Lairg and returns to the coast at Golspie. That loop is about 40 route miles for what is 11.1 miles as the crow flies. Plans for a shorter route across the Firth were never confirmed, and the government declined to fund one in 1987.
Forsinard, Altnabreac and Georgemas
- Forsinard: in the Flow Country, the last place trains can pass each other, beside an RSPB visitor centre.
- Altnabreac: a single platform request stop about 11 miles from the nearest village.
- Georgemas Junction: the northernmost railway junction in the UK. Wick trains reverse here, go to Thurso, reverse again and return to Georgemas before continuing to Wick.
Compare
For the other great Highland journey see the West Highland Line, and see the scenic lines comparison for the rest.
Good to know
The journey is long, so many travellers go to Thurso or Wick and stay. Remember that the train reverses at Georgemas Junction, so passengers do not need to change. Altnabreac is a request stop, so ask the crew before your journey if you want to get off or on there. The Flow Country around Forsinard is a major peat bog area with an RSPB visitor centre next to the station. Check the timetable, as Sunday services are much less frequent.
Opening dates
- 11 June 1862: Inverness to Ardgay.
- 13 April 1868: Ardgay to Golspie.
- 1 November 1870: Golspie to Helmsdale.
- 28 July 1874: Helmsdale to Wick and Thurso.
- 2000: Wick services begin running via Thurso.
The track, stations and signalling are owned and managed by Network Rail. For live times, fares and engineering works, use National Rail Enquiries or the operator's website.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Far North Line take?
Inverness to Wick typically takes about 4 hours 20 minutes.
Why does the train go inland to Lairg?
It follows the Dornoch Firth shore and loops inland, about 40 route miles where it is 11.1 miles direct, because no crossing of the Firth was built.
Does the train reverse at Georgemas Junction?
Yes. Wick services reverse there, visit Thurso, then reverse again.