Scotland Rail Pass - Scotland Rail Passes

Scotland or Scottish Alba is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain. Mainland Scotland has a 96-mile (154-kilometre) border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, the North Sea to the northeast and the Irish Sea to the south. The country also contains more than 790 islands, principally in the archipelagos of the Hebrides and the Northern Isles. Most of the population, including the capital Edinburgh, is concentrated in the Central Belt – the plain between the Scottish Highlands and the Southern Uplands – in the Scottish Lowlands.

Scotland is divided into 32 administrative subdivisions or local authorities, known as council areas. Glasgow City is the largest council area in terms of population, with Highland being the largest in terms of area. Limited self-governing power, covering matters such as education, social services and roads and transportation, is devolved from the Scottish Government to each subdivision. Scotland is the second-largest country in the United Kingdom, and accounted for 8.3% of the population in 2012.

Scotland Railway Network

Network Rail owns and operates the fixed infrastructure assets of the railway system in Scotland, while the Scottish Government retains overall responsibility for rail strategy and funding in Scotland. Scotland's rail network has 359 railway stations and around 1,710 miles (2,760 km) of track. In 2018–19 there were 102 million passenger journeys on Scottish railways.

The East Coast and West Coast main railway lines connect the major cities and towns of Scotland with each other and with the rail network in England. London North Eastern Railway provides inter-city rail journeys between Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Inverness to London. Domestic rail services within Scotland are operated by Abellio ScotRail. During the time of British Rail, the West Coast Main Line from London Euston to Glasgow Central was electrified in the early 1970s, followed by the East Coast Main Line in the late 1980s.

British Rail created the ScotRail brand. When British Rail existed, many railway lines in Strathclyde were electrified. Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive was at the forefront with the acclaimed "largest electrified rail network outside London". Some parts of the network are electrified, but there are no electrified lines in the Highlands, Angus, Aberdeenshire, the cities of Dundee or Aberdeen, or Perth & Kinross, and none of the islands has a rail link (although the railheads at Kyle of Lochalsh and Mallaig principally serve the islands).

The East Coast Main Line crosses the Firth of Forth by the Forth Bridge. Completed in 1890, this cantilever bridge has been described as "the one internationally recognised Scottish landmark". Scotland's rail network is managed by Transport Scotland. Scotland also has a night train called the Caledonian Sleeper connecting London to Scotland at night.

Scotland International Airports

Scotland has five international airports operating scheduled services to Europe, North America and Asia, as well as domestic services to England, Northern Ireland and Wales.

Edinburgh Airport is currently Scotland's busiest airport handling over 13 million passengers in 2017. It is also the UK's 6th busiest airport.

Aberdeen Airport
Edinburgh Airport
Glasgow Airport
Glasgow Prestwick Airport
Inverness Airport

Highlands and Islands Airports operates eleven airports across the Highlands, Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles, which are primarily used for short distance flights, public service operations, although Inverness Airport has a number of scheduled flights to destinations across the UK and mainland Europe.

Scotland Ferries, Canals and Lakes

Regular ferry services operate between the Scottish mainland and outlying islands. Ferries serving both the inner Hebrides and outer Hebrides are principally operated by the state-owned enterprise Caledonian MacBrayne.

Services to the Northern Isles are operated by Serco ferries. Other routes, served by multiple companies, connect southwest Scotland to Northern Ireland. DFDS Seaways operated a freight-only Rosyth – Zeebrugge ferry service, until a fire damaged the vessel DFDS were using. A passenger service was also operated between 2002 and 2010. Additional Scottish ferry routes are operated by local authorities.

BritRail Rail Pass

If you want to travel extensively by train throughout Scotland and Great Britain, then the BritRail pass can be the best value way to travel. These passes are not available to UK residents and you cannot buy them in the UK so it is best to organise this before leaving home (you can order online from us with your pass posted directly to you in Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the United States).

The BritRail pass covers all of Great Britain’s rail network (including virtually all trains in England, Scotland and Wales) and is a cheaper alternative to the All Line Rover (which is a similar pass available to UK residents who are not eligible for a BritRail pass.

It is also a more flexible rail pass to the All Line Rover as it is available in a wider number of passes with consecutive travel for three, four, eight, 15, 22 consecutive days or one month of consecutive travel or as a flexi-pass with three, four, eight or 15 travel days within a one month period. In contrast, the more expensive All Line Rover is only available for seven or 14 consecutive travel days.

There are Seven Main Varieties of BritRail Pass Available:

16-25 Railcard
1/3 off rail fares across Britain.For those aged 16-25. Mature students aged 26 or over and in full-time education. Plus special partner discounts on days out, holidays, theatre and more.
Click for more information about the 16-25 Railcard from just £30 a year

Two Together Railcard
1/3 off rail fares across Britain for two named people travelling together. Aged 16 or over.
It's not just a card for couples either - you can get one with a best friend, or one of the family
Click for more information about the Two Together Railcard from just £30 a year

Family and Friends Railcard
Up to 4 adults when travelling withup to 4 children aged 5-15.Get a 1/3 off rail travel across Britain.Children aged 5-15 get 60% discount on kids fares.
Click for more information about the Family and Friends Railcard from just £30 a year

Senior Railcard
For those aged 60 and over.1/3 off rail fares across Britain.Average annual saving of £118 plus special partner discounts on days out, holidays, theatre and more.
Click for more information about the Senior Railcard from just £30 a year

Disabled Persons Railcard
If you have a disability that makes travelling by train difficult, you may qualify for a Disabled Persons Railcard. 1/3 off rail fares across Britain for you and a friend.
Click for more information about the Disabled Persons Railcard from just £20 a year

Network Railcard
1/3 off for those travelling in the South East. Aged 16 or over.
Click for more information about the Network Railcard from just £30 a year