Scotland

A UK city has been hailed as home to ‘one of the world’s most scenic winter train journeys’

A city in the UK has been hailed as the backdrop for “one of the world’s most scenic winter train journeys“. National Geographic experts have lauded the route as “breathtaking,” promising travellers an eyeful of unforgettable vistas. In their roundup of Europe’s top 10, they said: “The holiday season may be the best time to ride the rails on these iconic routes through Germany’s enchanted Black Forest, and Norway’s frozen waterfalls.”

But it’s Scotland that truly steals the show with its mist-shrouded hills, serpentine lochs, and stark winter landscapes. For those hunting for a festive or winter escape, this rail journey delivers an unrivalled experience.

So, where in Scotland can you find this picturesque railway journey?

Stretching around 180 miles from Glasgow to Mallaig via Fort William, the West Highland Line is your ticket to awe-inspiring scenery.

As the National Geographic expert elaborated: “Route: Glasgow to Mallaig. Often cited as one of the world’s most scenic rail journeys, the West Highland Line serves up raw, haunting beauty.

“It slices through Rannoch Moor, a sprawling peat bog, skirts Loch Lomond, and soars over the Glenfinnan Viaduct, (a spectacle long before the Hogwarts Express catapulted it to Hollywood fame).”

They added: ” Edinburgh and Glasgow both boast unique Christmas festivities worth checking out. Edinburgh’s markets spill across Princes Street Gardens under the watchful eye of the castle, while Glasgow is set to light up with a Christmas lights trail this year.”

Glasgow’s Christmas market

The Winter Wonderland Christmas market at St Enoch Square is set to run from 6 November to 24 December, boasting family rides, an ice rink, local vendors, and live music. As reported by Secret Glasgow, the event will feature the world’s first solar-powered observation wheel and a fully licensed festive bar.

Glasgow is also set to host its largest beer hall yet, accommodating up to 700 guests with pub quizzes, live music, and festive beverages on offer. The venue will be adorned with fairy lights and fire pits, serving mulled wine and winter cocktails in both indoor and outdoor spaces.

In lieu of the traditional Christmas Lights Switch-On, which has been cancelled due to redevelopment works at George Square, the city will instead showcase a festive light trail.

Key attractions include dazzling art installations along Sauchiehall, Buchanan, and Argyle Streets, as well as a grand Christmas tree and crib at the Cathedral Precinct, providing a perfect backdrop for festive photos.

Top 10 scenic train routes in Europe, according to National Geographic

1. The Glacier Express (Switzerland)
2. Romantic Rhine Route (Germany)
3. Harz Narrow Gauge Railways (Germany)
4. The Bernina Express (Switzerland to Italy)
5. The West Highland Line (Scotland)
6. The Rauma Line (Norway)
7. The Semmering Railway (Austria)
8. The Schwarzwaldbahn (Germany)
9. The Arlberg Line (Switzerland–Austria)
10. Munich to Salzburg (Germany to Austria)

IF you’re off to Scotland on a £9.50 Holiday, here’s something to excite your taste buds.

Surrounded by sea and with rolling fertile lands, this beautiful country produces much of its own food, from seafood to hearty haggis.

It’s also home to over 150 malt and grain distilleries, with countless whisky-tasting opportunities for those who like a tipple.  

You can’t miss the opportunity to sample haggis, neeps and tatties (turnips and potatoes), traditional fish and chips or Scottish porridge.

And you can’t go wrong by starting the day with a full Scottish breakfast, with The Bandstand Bar & Restaurant in Nairn highly rated for theirs.

Another local speciality is Cullen Sink, a warming, thick soup made of smoked haddock, potatoes and onions, which you can sample at somewhere like Garden Cafe Pitlochry. 

And that’s just the start. We’ve spoken to Scottish locals and holiday park staff to find out the best places to eat and drink – from sea-view restaurants to community-run cafes by the beach. 

Here are some places to check out on your upcoming £9.50 Holiday…

Best cheap eats

Morvyn Cattanach, General Manager at Sandylands Holiday Park in Ayrshire recommends Doon the Beach, a community cafe just behind Stevenson Beach.

She said: “It’s a cabin that they’ve done out as a cafe – a wee hidden thing that people might not know about.

“It’s the perfect place to get a cup of tea after a walk on the beach. And it’s really budget friendly – we got two soups, two drinks and a bag of dog treats for £10.”

In the Highlands, Milk Bar cafe and The Auctioneers pub, both in Inverness, are highly rated for their good value food and drink. 

Best dog-friendly cafe

If you have a pooch in tow, Morvyn Cattanach recommends heading to the coastal town of Irvine.

She said: “There’s a lovely cafe called GRO right next to the harbour where you can take your dog. It’s a great breakfast and brunch place – my favourite is avocados and eggs on toast (£9.80).”

The menu also features a “doggy section” with everything from sausages (£3) to “puppuccinos” (£2.50) for hounds. 

Best local pubs

Christopher Hill, Administration Manager at Tummel Valley Holiday Park in Perthshire, says Pitlochry is the place to find a variety of great pubs.

He said: “My favourites are The Old Mill Inn, Victoria’s and The Auld Smiddy Inn.

The Old Mill has a great setting, with a watermill outside and a nice beer garden.

The Auld Smiddy is a traditional pub with great food and a kids’ menu. There’s also the inn at the Moulin Hotel, which has a traditional brewery and cosy fire.”

Best for families

Adele Murray, a Scottish blogger originally from Aberfeldy in Highland Perthshire, says: “One of my family’s favourite pubs is Ailean Chraggan – or “The Crags” as locals call it – in Aberfeldy.

“It’s great for families, with a beer garden and outdoor play area. The Scottish Mussels are delicious and come from the west coast (£9.50 as a starter, £18.95 as a main), but I’ve also eaten pigeon and duck here – the food is great.”

The children’s menu includes garlic ciabatta (£3.50), mac and cheese (£6.25) and more.

Meanwhile, The Tree House in Ayr is a good option for families, with a genuinely good children’s menu and a laid-back vibe.

They also offer activity packs to keep kids entertained, and regular offers like steak nights for less than £15.

Best place for whisky tasting

The Scottish Sun Travel Editor, Heather Lowrie recommends The Blair Athol Distillery in Pitlochry, the Highlands.

She said: “It’s one of the oldest working distilleries in Scotland.”

One-hour tours cost from £19. Heather added: “Blair Castle, home to the Atholl family for over seven centuries with its spectacular grounds, is just seven miles away and worth a look.

“You can even go segwaying there with Segway Ecosse and take in Hercules Garden, Diana’s Grove and St Brides Kirk.”

Further north, Lossiemouth in Moray is another good option for sampling the country’s finest malts, with plenty of bars, cafes and restaurants in the town.

Heather said: “Whisky drinkers will love it as it’s in the famous Speyside whisky area, and close to a few of Scotland’s most famous distilleries including Glenfiddich, Macallan and Tamdhu.” 

Best restaurant

Overlooking the Moray Firth, Sun Dancer is a modern bar and restaurant – the perfect place to watch the sunset beside a panoramic window.

Make the most of one of the offers, like “boozy brunch” Saturdays (£35pp for two courses and four cocktails, pre-booking essential).

Meanwhile, The Bistro in Ayr is a traditional Scottish restaurant that is highly rated for its dishes, which range from duck leg croquettes (£7.95) to hand-pressed burgers (£16) and butcher’s cut steak.

(All times BST)

11 June: Mexico v South Africa (20:00 BST) – ITV

12 June: South Korea v play-off D (03:00) – ITV

12 June: Canada v play-off A (20:00) – BBC

13 June: USA v Paraguay (02:00) – BBC

13 June: Qatar v Switzerland (20:00) – ITV

13 June: Brazil v Morocco (23:00) – BBC

14 June: Australia v play-off C (05:00) – ITV

14 June: Scotland v Haiti (02.00) – BBC

14 June: Germany v Curacao (18:00) – ITV

14 June: Netherlands v Japan (21:00) – ITV

15 June: Play-off B v Tunisia (03:00) – ITV

15 June: Ivory Coast v Ecuador (00:00) – BBC

15 June: Spain v Cape Verde (17:00) – ITV

15 June: Belgium v Egypt (20:00) – BBC

15 June: Saudi Arabia v Uruguay (23:00) – ITV

16 June: Iran v New Zealand (02:00) – BBC

16 June: France v Senegal (20:00) – BBC

16 June: Play-off 2 v Norway (23:00) – BBC

17 June: Argentina v Algeria (02:00) – ITV

17 June: Austria v Jordan (05:00) – BBC

17 June: Portugal v play-off 1 (18:00) – BBC

17 June: England v Croatia (21:00) – ITV

18 June: Ghana v Panama (00:00) – ITV

18 June: Uzbekistan v Colombia (03:00) – BBC

18 June: South Africa v play-off D (17:00) – BBC

18 June: Play-off A v Switzerland (20:00) – ITV

18 June: Canada v Qatar (23:00) – ITV

19 June: Mexico v South Korea (02:00) – BBC

19 June: USA v Australia (20:00) – BBC

19 June: Scotland v Morocco (23:00) – ITV

20 June: Paraguay v play-off C (05:00) – ITV

20 June: Brazil v Haiti (02:00) – ITV

20 June: Netherlands v play-off B (18:00) – BBC

20 June: Germany v Ivory Coast (21:00) – ITV

21 June: Japan v Tunisia (05:00) – BBC

21 June: Curacao v Ecuador (01:00) – BBC

21 June: Spain v Saudi Arabia (17:00) – BBC

21 June: Belgium v Iran (20:00) – ITV

21 June: Cape Verde v Uruguay (23:00) – BBC

22 June: Egypt v New Zealand (02:00) – ITV

22 June: Argentina v Austria (18:00) – BBC

22 June: France v play-off 2 (22:00) – BBC

23 June: Senegal v Norway (01:00) – ITV

23 June: Algeria v Jordan (04:00) – ITV

23 June: Portugal v Uzbekistan (18:00) – ITV

23 June: England v Ghana (21:00) – BBC

24 June: Croatia v Panama (00:00) – BBC

24 June: Colombia v play-off 1 (03:00) – ITV

24 June: Canada v Switzerland/Play-Off A v Qatar (20:00)

24 June: Scotland v Brazil & Morocco v Haiti (23:00) – BBC

25 June: Mexico v play-off D & South Africa v South Korea (02:00) – BBC

25 June: Germany v Ecuador & Curacao v Ivory Coast (21:00) – BBC

26 June: USA v play-off C & Paraguay v Australia (03:00) – ITV

26 June: Japan v play-off B & Netherlands v Tunisia (00:00) – BBC

26 June: France v Norway & Senegal v play-off 2 (20:00) – ITV

27 June: Cape Verde v Saudi Arabia & Uruguay v Spain (01:00) – ITV

27 June: Egypt v Iran & New Zealand v Belgium (04:00) – BBC

27 June: England v Panama & Croatia v Ghana (22:00) – ITV

28 June: Algeria v Austria & Argentina v Jordan (03:00) – BBC

28 June: Colombia v Portugal & play-off 1 v Uzbekistan (00:30) – BBC