Inverness to Wick

[trainophile]

Planning a trip to the Highlands at long last, probably mid-June to benefit from the long hours of daylight. We'll be staying in Inverness and having a day trip to Wick, and bussing it to John o'Groats - something else to tick off the bucket list!

It's over four hours Inverness to Wick, and there appears to be no First Class on that Scotrail service so presumably no frills. Is there any on-board trolley or anything, to get a cup of tea en route? Don't mind taking sandwiches, but it'll be a long day without a hot drink!

 

[philjo]

There has been a trolley on the occasions I have used that line. the 158s have a small 1st section at one end - which is declassified. I sat in once of those seats from Wick to Inverness in the summer.
There is a Co-Op less than 5 minutes walk from Wick station - turn right as you leave the station & right at the end of the road.

I stayed 1 night in Wick to allow time to visit the Castle of Mey (the buses via John O Groats don't fit with the train times!) then caught the 16:00 back to Inverness (having got a sandwich from the Wick Co-Op)
I visited Dunrobin Castle (request stop) on the way up

 

[Buttsy]

Planning a trip to the Highlands at long last, probably mid-June to benefit from the long hours of daylight. We'll be staying in Inverness and having a day trip to Wick, and bussing it to John o'Groats - something else to tick off the bucket list!

It's over four hours Inverness to Wick, and there appears to be no First Class on that Scotrail service so presumably no frills. Is there any on-board trolley or anything, to get a cup of tea en route? Don't mind taking sandwiches, but it'll be a long day without a hot drink!

Far North & Kyle trains tend to have catering trolleys, see the timetable here: http://www.scotrail.co.uk/highlands. Also, the units used as 158s and so, as there is no 1st class north of Inverness, you can sit in the 1st class area as it has been declassified.

 

[gordonthemoron]

according to the Scotrail timetable, there are refreshements on all trains between Inverness & Wick/Thurso except the first service in each direction mon-fri

 

[duncanp]

According to

http://www.scotrail.co.uk/sites/default/files/documents/NHL13.pdf

"Trolley catering services may be available for all or part of the journey. On some trains, this service may only be provided in part of the train". In particular, footnote "A" for the first train of the day from Inverness to Wick states that the catering service is only available on Saturdays.

So probably best to buy something before you board the train.

 

[trainophile]

Wow, brilliant reply and so quick! Thanks so much .

I'd worked out timings that if we take the first train ex-Inverness, which is 0704, we'd arrive at Wick at 1132. There's a bus departing to J o'G at 1140, so tight but do-able if train is on time. Return bus 1445, return train 1600, so just about fits in.

Would be wonderful if we can get the posh seats and refreshments too, although I doubt we had time to get to the Co-op on the outward journey.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

according to the Scotrail timetable, there are refreshements on all trains between Inverness & Wick/Thurso except the first service in each direction mon-fri

Oh drat, that means not on my planned schedule, and if we get the next one we can't do what we want to and get back in time for the last return train of the day.

I've already booked two consecutive nights in Inverness (lol, the "probably mid-June" in my first post should have read "definitely"), which are non-refundable, so staying a night in Wick isn't an option this time. Ah well, it'll be fun anyway. We'll just have to take plenty of bottled water!

 

[heart-of-wessex]

I did this in the mid-2000's (2005 IIRC) on an All Line Rover, however did the last train up, stayed in a B&B and came back on the first train. It had been snowing all night so the scenery was amazing!

On the way up we had a trolley, who ended up parking his trolley by us and we played cards with the trolleyman hock:!

Was a great experience and the staff were very accommodating, even the lady at the B&B who gave us some freebie food for the trip back to Inverness

 

[Buttsy]

The first train north on a Saturday shows as having a trolley. Also, the timetable is only valid to May, so catering may change on trains in the summer.

 

[trainophile]

The first train north on a Saturday shows as having a trolley. Also, the timetable is only valid to May, so catering may change on trains in the summer.

We'll be doing it on a Wednesday so no go . Have to do some serious planning, as we'll have to leave the hotel before breakfast. Thank goodness for cereal bars!

Oh, just seen your edit. There is hope then.

 

[Simon11]

I did this only a few days ago. I took the 10.30ish train from Inverness, travelled to Thurso then Wick. We then got a pre booked taxi for £50 which included a mini tour and went up John O Groats and had a look around. We only had 1.5hrs before and we were easily back in Thurso to catch the same train home.

 

[philjo]

I stayed in the Premier Inn in Inverness which is about 10 mins walk from the station. As I was planning to get he 07:04 train I had booked room only as would be too early for breakfast service - I got a few breakfast items from Morrisons (round the corner from Inverness station) the night before - e.g. a couple of bread rolls/portion of marmalade and one of those porridge pots I could make using hot water from the kettle in the room.

 

[Greenback]

It's easy enough to do what Philjo did and buy a few basics to eat on the train. But I have always enjoyed a freshly made cup of tea on my way to Thurso or Wick, though I have never taken the first train of the day.

On my first journey in 1992 I sampled some lovely little sandwiches too. My last journey took place in late winter time with snow on the ground. On the way back to Inverness we went through several blizzards which made for a very different type of view from the usual one!

Again, I had a sandwich on the train but was still ready for a hot meal on reaching Inverness!

 

[Searle]

I did Inverness to Wick in August, on the 07:07 and as mentioned, there was no trolley service, however there was one back on the 12:36. There are places to eat in both Inverness (there's a mcdonalds for breakfast or a tesco express on the other side of the river for supplies), and Wick (there's a nice little bakery in the town). You should be alright with surviving the 4 hours if you have supplies, no need to change your plans really :P

 

[trainophile]

Thank you all so much for your posts, and please keep them coming if anyone has any further information - the better prepared we are the less chance of arriving starving!

Our train into Inverness doesn't arrive until 2006 (it's the one-a-day direct from Kings Cross), so it'll be just our luck if all the food stores in Inverness shut at 8.00! :roll: Will bring some cereal bars, and individual packs of cornflake-type cereals plus some powdered milk so we can have that for breakfast on Wick day.

I'm assuming, hopefully correctly, that as John o'Groats is something of a tourist attraction there will be some sort of facilities there? Just a cafe will do!

 

[Greenback]

I seem to recall the Co-op store in the town centre being open until 10pm. Not sure about Morrisons!

 

[heart-of-wessex]

I seem to recall the Co-op store in the town centre being open until 10pm. Not sure about Morrisons!

http://your.morrisons.com/store-finder/Store-Details/?recordid=188

Quite a big store from what I remember when I went there, so you should be able to use Morrisons fine

 

[trainophile]

Brilliant, you're all mines of information! Much appreciated .

 

[harry42]

I'm assuming, hopefully correctly, that as John o'Groats is something of a tourist attraction there will be some sort of facilities there? Just a cafe will do!

There is a bar...
http://www.seaviewjohnogroats.co.uk/Bar/

 

[Searle]

I did exactly the same thing as you when I went to Inverness, the Highland Sleeper and then on to Wick the following day The tesco express I mentioned is open until about 10pm, and I managed to find a dodgy fish and chip shop that sorted me out :P

 

[trainophile]

Ooh I like dodgy fish & chip shops .

Getting really excited now. Only five months to wait!

 

[WessexEclectic]

Has anybody caught the onward ferry from Thurso (Scrabster) to Orkney/Shetland?

There is a very appropriate B&B/Hostel at Rogart Station- Sleeperzzz - excellent walks to be had on the surrounding hills.

 

[Lee_Again]

Did this in Feb last year. Amazing trip. There is a trolley but plenty of 'snack' opportunities either end.

My son and I got off at Thurso and took a taxi (£60) that took us to Dunnet Head, John O' Groats and finally Wick in time to catch the same train home. It's about 10 hours out and back.

Sit on the right (facing from Inverness) and take a seat in the first class section. And keep all your fingers and toes crossed for good weather.

There are some pictures on a trip report in this section if you wish to look.

At times you'll be 25m from the water's edge but if it's raining you won't even see it.

Enjoy.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

I seem to recall the Co-op store in the town centre being open until 10pm. Not sure about Morrisons!

They both close at 10, and so does the Tesco (just over Ness Bridge).

But, two things come to mind:
Firstly, any serious B and B or hotel will be very familiar with leisure or business visitors catching early trains and will be able to provide breakfast in time for an early departure. It happens every day in Inverness and I have never left without a decent brakfast (though I've never stayed in any of the large corporate chain hotels who may lack flexibility).

Secondly, there is an excellent cafe very close to the station which will provide a good breakfast to eat in or take away, or will wrap meals, snacks or whatever in a form suitable for leisure travellers - its what they do - every day - the life-blood of the city includes looking after leisure tourists! Its just up the road (Academy Street) on the next block, on the little access road to the Bus Station and City Library (actually, there's two good cafes there, separated by a hearing aid shop(!), just a minute's walk from the platforms, and much better quality and choice than anything from the chain outlets on the concourse).

 

[Romilly]

Has anybody caught the onward ferry from Thurso (Scrabster) to Orkney/Shetland?

No, but I have happy memories of the passenger-only ferry from John o'Groats to Orkney (www.jogferry.co.uk): twice daily in May & September, three times daily during June to August, with connecting bus to/from Kirkwall at the Orkney end. It seemed to cut through the water and only takes about 40 minutes, whereas I think that I was told that the car-ferry from Scrabster can feel more like a floating box in rough weather.

 

[trainophile]

Thanks again everyone, and sorry I haven't got around to posting for a few days.

We're booked into the Ramada Encore on Academy Street, so that sounds handy Dave .

Hope this thread is still find-able in June, as it is crammed full of really useful information.

 

[PaxVobiscum]

Hope this thread is still find-able in June, as it is crammed full of really useful information.

Maybe there are ways to keep it alive ...

I did the trip last year, but with an overnight stay in Wick. Here's a pic of something you don't see every day (unless you live in Wick). We are all familiar with petrol stations - this is a coal station in Wick, on the A99 north - the scenic route to Thurso.

 

[Greenback]

They both close at 10, and so does the Tesco (just over Ness Bridge).

Secondly, there is an excellent cafe very close to the station which will provide a good breakfast to eat in or take away, or will wrap meals, snacks or whatever in a form suitable for leisure travellers - its what they do - every day - the life-blood of the city includes looking after leisure tourists! Its just up the road (Academy Street) on the next block, on the little access road to the Bus Station and City Library (actually, there's two good cafes there, separated by a hearing aid shop(!), just a minute's walk from the platforms, and much better quality and choice than anything from the chain outlets on the concourse).

Sounds excellent! My knowledge of breakfast (anywhere really, never mind Inverness) is rather limited as I normally can't face eating anythign before 10am. That said, I do recall a very nice French style cafe north east of the station. where I did once have tea and a plain, fresh, baguette at about 11am!

 

[backontrack]

I go up there every year en route to Orkney (via Scrabster) and highly recommend a visit.

For the last few years we have stayed at MacDonald House B&B on Ardross Terrace in Inverness (as we have got the Highland Cheftain, then departed Inverness for Thurso in the morning). It's not well known, but has a great location next to the River Ness (perfect for riverside walks) and is nice and friendly inside, plus it is relatively easy to get to from the station. I recommend it to all.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

For the last few years we have stayed at MacDonald House B&B on Ardross Terrace in Inverness (as we have got the Highland Cheftain, then departed Inverness for Thurso in the morning).

. . . .


I recommend it to all.

I'll second that!

 

[backontrack]

What was it like when you went there?

And off topic, but is there a thanks/like button?