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EDB to INV - times vs ease / reliability

Traveling from Edinburgh to Inverness, spending the night, and picking up a rental at Arnold Clark to head out to Isle of Skye early the next morning. I've done a bit of research on train options and it seems ScotRail is highly variable with respect seating and overall experience. I had a good deal of confidence in LNER but the only train from EDG to INV does not arrive until 20:07. I would love to arrive earlier to have a bit more time to see Inverness in the light of day and relax in our room. That said, the possibility of having to stand in a train from EDB to Perth is not appealing, and I wonder about the issues that may come with traveling with a fullsized suitcase along with two carry-on sized cases.

We will be traveling on a Tuesday. Am I being overly concerned about the ScotRail variables? Right now, I am choosing between comfort of a known experience vs. getting a few more hours at INV. Thoughts or tips?

Posted by
7990 posts

There really is plenty of storage room for cases. There are only three train types in us on the route. All of which have far better quality seats than LNER IMO.
And all have a 1st class option.

If you reserve a seat then you are not going to be standing. Not that is real routine issue anyway.

But there are bigger issues.

Firstly Scotrail are on a reduced timetable due to crew shortages.

Secondly a strike ballot is under way. Poentially industrial action by any combination of three different unions could start as soon as mid September.

If that happens capacity may be an issue anyway on LNER as well. If station staff strike LNER may be unable to run.

It is all an unknown. If it happens local people will gravitate towards City link and Flixbus buses.

Posted by
21 posts

Thanks! I was hoping you'd see my topic and respond. We actually pulled the plug on our plans last year because of all the uncertainty of the rail and transport strikes. Turns out the biggest issue we avoided was the massive rain event that occurred during the time we were to be there.

I'll go back and take a look at the schedule and review the other lines. The reservations on ScotRail are not as clear to me as those on LNER First Class where I can pick a seat. I also want to make sure that my wife and I can sit together and enjoy the view.

Posted by
21 posts

For our date of travel in early October, I'm only seeing ScotRail options and the only LNER train.

Posted by
7990 posts

By 3 train types I mean Scotrail use three types of train depending on the train time. The now fairly old Class 158 units, the rather newer Class 170 turbostars and the Class 43 High Speed Trains, now in short 4 or 5 car formations.
With a bit of work it is possible to find what type is scheduled to work which service.

Posted by
7990 posts

The unions on Scotrail have accepted a pay deal in their ballot- so the threat of strikes is now over, for another year at least