Highland Mainline - which side of the train am I on?

[SandsofEss]

In late October, some friends and I will be travelling on the 08:10 departure from Perth to Inverness.

We've been allocated seats in coach A - 21B, 21F and 22B.

I want to make the most of the views on the Highland Main Line, so I'm trying to work out which side of the train this is on (so I can book our return journey on the Highland Chieftain on the opposite side).

Thing is, I've been given conflicting information by the unofficial seating plan I've obtained online, and the uncertain employee at the Scotrail helpline.

Can anybody in-the-know shed any light on this - will we be sitting on right (east) or left (west) side of the train heading North?

 

[najaB]

Can anybody in-the-know shed any light on this - will we be sitting on right (east) or left (west) side of the train heading North?

There's no guarantee as Scotrail sets don't consistently run the same way around. That said, the last couple of times I came down the road from Inverness (south) I was in A28 and it was on the west-hand side. Hope that helps.

Edit: It also doesn't help that not all the sets have the same seating plan - usually the Inverness-Glasgow/Edinburgh sets have first class, but there's been a couple of occasions recently where they substituted in a set that didn't.

 

[highlander]

In late October, some friends and I will be travelling on the 08:10 departure from Perth to Inverness.

We've been allocated seats in coach A - 21B, 21F and 22B.

I want to make the most of the views on the Highland Main Line, so I'm trying to work out which side of the train this is on (so I can book our return journey on the Highland Chieftain on the opposite side).

Thing is, I've been given conflicting information by the unofficial seating plan I've obtained online, and the uncertain employee at the Scotrail helpline.

Can anybody in-the-know shed any light on this - will we be sitting on right (east) or left (west) side of the train heading North?

Honestly wouldn't get to worried about this there will be plenty unallocated seats on both trains if you arrive in plenty of time.

 

[SandsofEss]

Thanks for the replies.

Is that so Highlander? I'd assumed the Chieftain wouldn't be too busy (at least before Edinburgh), but I'd also heard the other train tends to be standing room only once it reaches Perth!

 

[najaB]

Thanks for the replies.

Is that so Highlander? I'd assumed the Chieftain wouldn't be too busy (at least before Edinburgh), but I'd also heard the other train tends to be standing room only once it reaches Perth!

In my experience it's rare for all the seats to be taken on the Inverness trains. Though there's the caveat that I've never caught the 8.10.

 

[SandsofEss]

Thanks najaB,

I'll report back if I have a contrary experience!

 

[47271]

As najaB says, there's absolutely no predicting which way round a Scotrail set will run so you could be looking out either way with your reserved seats

The 0810 from Perth is the first northbound service of the day on the HML after the sleeper, so can be quite busy, but I've never seen it standing. It's the midday and afternoon trains that get mobbed in my experience.

The scenery is cracking on either side, but the Cairngorms are on your right as you go north between Kingussie and Aviemore.

My advice would be, take your seats, relax and move around the train to any available position as it suits you - coach C is the unreserved one - and look out as you wish in either direction. Enjoy, and let us know if us locals can help further!

 

[Deepgreen]

In late October, some friends and I will be travelling on the 08:10 departure from Perth to Inverness.

We've been allocated seats in coach A - 21B, 21F and 22B.

I want to make the most of the views on the Highland Main Line, so I'm trying to work out which side of the train this is on (so I can book our return journey on the Highland Chieftain on the opposite side).

Thing is, I've been given conflicting information by the unofficial seating plan I've obtained online, and the uncertain employee at the Scotrail helpline.

Can anybody in-the-know shed any light on this - will we be sitting on right (east) or left (west) side of the train heading North?

Either way, just hope that the cloud base is significantly above ground level!