rail travel, Scotland to London using western routes

Follow the route from Edinburgh to Glasgow to Carlisle to the Lake District to Crewe to Birmingham to Milton Keynes to London Euston. That's the West Coast Main Line and is the route used by Virgin Trains.

Nigel, your reply was very helpful Since I will be starting south from Inverness, do I need to go through Edinburgh? And, would Carlisle be a good stopping off point for the night along the route, or do you recommend another?

Your train from Inverness to Glasgow may be direct or you might change in Perth. You don't need to go all the way to Edinburgh. I'm not sure if you have to change train stations in Glasgow. I think that you may. Nigel will know. ; ) I visited Carlisle and liked the Castle. I found it interesting mostly because of the history of the Borders. Up until the Union of the Crowns (and even a bit thereafter) the families of the borders raided back and forth. They were called Reivers and the main English castle was Carlisle. Read Steel Bonnets Across the Border to get some fun facts and interesting stories. Pam

I just returned from a trip to Edinburgh. I took the train down to Carlisle for the day. I booked through the Scott Rail website. I also looked at the Northern Rail website to compare routes/rates.

Nigel, or whomever can help, please. I have booked a room in Carlisle and looking at National Rail Enquiries, the only train that goes west from Inverness changes at Perth, Glasgow Queens with a bus transfer to Glasgow Central (if I read it correctly) then to Carlisle. I don't mind changing , but the bus part is confusing. Additionally, someone suggested that we stay on Virgin to Reading and go to Heathrow from there rather than go into London and back to Heathrow. I have a reservation near Heathrow and this seems logical but is it practical. Thanks for any advice.

An addendum: National Rail Enquiries doesn't seem to specify which rail line. I checked Carlisle to Reading and can go through Euston or Wolverhampton- the latter would make more sense I think, but don't know. Which is more scenic and which would you advise? Should I be using a different site- I have a rail pass so cost is not a factor in choosing.

Yes, there are two major stations in Glasgow, and if you are using a regional train from the north east of Scotland you will get in at Queen Street. I'm afraid I don't know Glasgow and how long the bus is likely to take. Yes, there is a bus link from Reading to Heathrow Airport. The change at Wolverhampton will take you directly to Reading. Euston is a central London station so from there you should go straight to Heathrow rather than going out to Reading again. From Euston I would walk (5-10 minutes) to Kings Cross underground station and then take the London Underground Piccadilly Line direct to Heathrow Airport.

I finally found rail.co.ik, which specifies rail lines. If I stay on Virgin, I will go to Euston. If I want to go to Reading, I will transfer from Virgin to Cross Country at Wolverhampton. Since we need to get to Heathrow that day (hotel reservation there), I'm wondering about the pros and cons of each route, any advice would be much appreciated.