Kyle of Lochalsh

7522 · 21 Apr 2019

Apologies If I am posting this thread in the wrong place. Please move if necessary.

I am staying in Inverness for a couple of days in June and am thinking of devoting one day to the Kyle of Lochalsh line.

The current plan I have is to board the 8:55 service from Inverness - Kyle of Lochalsh. I am unsure what the best return time would be, probably the 17:13 from Kyle of Lochalsh - Inverness.

I am very unfamiliar with the area so have a couple of questions.
What type of train is likely to operate this service on a weekday, would it be class 158? or is there a chance of a class 170? I know seat reservations are possible on this service but would this be 100% necessary to guarantee a seat or would turning up on the day be ok? (I could book in advance if necessary but if I don't need to I would not considering things such as weather which will be uncertain until the given day).

Do people have thoughts on the line itself, is there scenic views etc? Considering the Kyle of Lochalsh itself, if anyone has any recommendations of things to fill in my time there that would be useful as I am mainly going for the train but will explore the best of the area whilst i'm there.

Thanks for any information anyone can provide.

RailUK Forums

matt · 21 Apr 2019

Will be a class 158

Peter Mugridge · 21 Apr 2019

...and there's plenty of scenery on that line.

Not far short of Kyle you'll be passing the famous photo location of Craig's Farm Crossing at the south end of Loch Carron for a start...

That's this place, and yes I do know that the current Royal Train hasn't been on that line.

hexagon789 · 21 Apr 2019

7522 said:
What type of train is likely to operate this service on a weekday, would it be class 158? or is there a chance of a class 170?

Exclusively 158, and generally two-car at that.

7522 said:
I know seat reservations are possible on this service but would this be 100% necessary to guarantee a seat or would turning up on the day be ok? (I could book in advance if necessary but if I don't need to I would not considering things such as weather which will be uncertain until the given day).

It's up to you of course, but I would recommend making seats reservations - it being June and all.

bb21 · 21 Apr 2019

A few of us stopped off at Plockton en route a few years ago when we visited Kyle in the summer. Sit outside one of the pubs in the village. Fantastic views of the harbour if the weather is good.

Esker-pades · 21 Apr 2019

As the lady with the drinks trolley (who lives in Kyle) on the train said:
"There's nothing to do in Kyle."

That might not be entirely true, but it may be worth stopping off at Plockton (two stops east of Kyle) during the day.

Mag_seven · 21 Apr 2019

FelixtheCat said:
"There's nothing to do in Kyle."

I've stayed there for a few days and undertook various walks in the area!

Highlandspring · 22 Apr 2019

An hour in Kyle feels like a week in the jail and is less enjoyable.

Elwyn · 22 Apr 2019

I agree that Kyle is pretty dull. Plockton is the place to break the journey. 10 minutes walk into the village. Nice pubs. Highland Cattle wandering up the street some times. Pretty harbour and boat trips to see the seals.

433N · 22 Apr 2019

Highlandspring said:
An hour in Kyle feels like a week in the jail and is less enjoyable.

Oh, so it's a bit like Rhyl then.

37047 · 22 Apr 2019

I spent a few days in Inverness earlier this year and did a day trip to Kyle. It was a 2-car 158 and the scenery on the line was stunning. Kyle itself... I was glad I only had ~90 mins there - one cafe open, nothing else there, pouring rain, freezing cold, blowing a gale. I'd definitely do it again for the journey but not on a Sunday in February!

Esker-pades · 22 Apr 2019

Mag_seven said:
I've stayed there for a few days and undertook various walks in the area!

Only relaying what the locals say!

30907 · 22 Apr 2019

Best views, at least at the western end, are on the right hand side, so something to be said for a reservation. The problem is that coach tour operators often block-book on the morning trains so half the seats are taken.
Unlikely to be worth using Advances for a weather-dependent day return with break of journey so you'll have a walk-up ticket, but you could try for a reservation once you've seen the forecast.

7522 · 22 Apr 2019

Thanks to everyone who has given me information on this, certainly very useful.

I will definitely consider stopping at Plockton now. It does sound like my original plan of just under 6 hours in Kyle would be too long.

Highlandspring · 22 Apr 2019

It would be about 5hrs 55mins too long, yes.

PaxVobiscum · 22 Apr 2019

Highlandspring said:
An hour in Kyle feels like a week in the jail and is less enjoyable.

A bit harsh, if only a little.
Last time I played on the swings in the park with 2 of my (grown up) offspring for, let me see, about 10 days.

Elwyn · 22 Apr 2019

Kyle is a functional sort of place with a couple of streets, some petrol pumps, a pier, a railway station and a disused ferry slipway. There’s a couple of tourist shops and you can buy a newspaper. Plus, as we know now, you can have a go on the swings too. But that’s about it. Though you are in an area of great natural beauty it’s quite hard to appreciate that on foot, from Kyle itself, whereas I find that in and around Plockton you can see and enjoy the scenery much more easily. Plus the refreshment opportunities are better too. It’s geared up for visitors in a way that Kyle isn’t, somehow.

eastdyke · 22 Apr 2019

Kyle's function changed circa 1995 when the Skye Bridge opened. Before that travellers would have used what Kyle had to offer rather than driving straight past.
My only visit, and it was by train, was about 10 years ago. In on the last train and out on the first.
Really great ethereal views of the bridge from the pier in the late and early light conditions though!

davetheguard · 22 Apr 2019

7522 said:
Thanks to everyone who has given me information on this, certainly very useful.

I will definitely consider stopping at Plockton now. It does sound like my original plan of just under 6 hours in Kyle would be too long.

Some pictures of Plockton for you to peruse. It's a bit of a walk downhill from Plockton station to the village, but well worth the effort. There are two pubs, both with real ale. There are boat trips around the bay to see the seals. Or a short scenic walk above Plockton to a viewpoint to see the mountains of Skye in the distance. There's also a longer walk to Duncraig station from where you could return on the train to Inverness.

Essan · 22 Apr 2019

Kyke and Mallaig are quite similar in a way - stunning railway journey to get there, but nothing to see/do when you arrive, especially if the weather is poor. Agree with comments above about stopping off at Plockton though. Maybe miss Kyle altogether and walk from Plockton to Duncraig (or vice versa) for the return trip?

gazthomas · 22 Apr 2019

Essan said:
Kyke and Mallaig are quite similar in a way - stunning railway journey to get there, but nothing to see/do when you arrive, especially if the weather is poor. Agree with comments above about stopping off at Plockton though. Maybe miss Kyle altogether and walk from Plockton to Duncraig (or vice versa) for the return trip?

Mallaig is a metropolis compared to Kyle, at least there are some food options!

I would have suggested a trip to Skye. Coach/bus times don't work as far as I can see, which is a shame. You could take a walk over the bridge I guess!

I stand corrected, you could get the 916 at 11.52 to Portree (the "capital" of Skye) which takes just over an hour, returning from Portree at 15.20 returning at 16.19, giving you just over an hour in Kyle before the train back to Inverness. Well worth the trip

eastdyke · 22 Apr 2019

Next time (to Kyle) will be part of the round trip Mallaig - Skye - Kyle.
My last trip, just to Mallaig, was Jan 2017 - to catch the route capped with winter white. Fat chance, warmer in Mallaig than Malaga (almost) little snow and bustitution Crianlarich to Mallaig on the way up.

Faster than the train schedules, and actually ok for the different perspective but not quite the plan.

FWIW I would put Mallaig in no better category than 'busy village'. There is a very good fish restaurant on the right hand side of the road up to the West Highland Hotel*. It was open for lunch, even in January.
Perhaps Oban would be the metropolis?

*Edit: The Steam Inn, Davies Brae.
https://www.steaminnmallaig.co.uk/menu-food-restaurant/

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