The Far North - Dingwall to Wick and Thurso Drivers Eye View

We begin our journey at Dingwall, having already covered the Inverness section in SkyeTrain. The 142 miles from Dingwall to Wick pass through some of Scotland’s most sparsely populated landscapes. From Dingwall the line follows the coastline through Invergordon to Tain, before turning inland via Lairg rather than crossing the Dornoch Firth directly. This stretch offers wide open scenery, punctuated by small villages and historic sites along the route.

Beyond Rogart, we pass the closed Mound station, whose platform for the former Dornoch branch remains intact, and glimpse the surviving Dornoch station building. Golspie marks the former Duke of Sutherland’s privately built railway, with Dunrobin Castle station next, where we learn about the Third Duke from his great-great-grandson, Lord Strathnaver. The line hugs the rugged coastline until Helmsdale, after which the terrain forces the railway inland through the remote Strath of Kildonan for 25 miles to Forsinard, following valleys where roads at least provide some access.

From Forsinard to Georgemas, the railway is entirely alone, isolated across open moorland. At the time of filming, the four-car Sprinter trains would divide at Georgemas Junction, Britain’s most northerly, with both branches served by similar wooden train sheds sheltering passengers from the harsh northern winters. The view from the cab emphasizes the remoteness and endurance of this line, with the track snaking through seemingly endless moorland and coastal scenery.

Historically, the second crew for the split trains was transported by taxi from Thurso to operate the section northward and then returned by taxi. Modern operation has simplified this, with the full train now running first to Thurso and then on to Wick, maintaining the dramatic and scenic journey across the northern Highlands in a single, continuous service.