This
page contains information and links for people arriving
at Pitlochry without their own vehicle. If
the answer that you require is not here then please use
this link to
contact the event co-ordinator.
Trains to Pitlochry
****
Pitlochry is one of a number of stations on the Highland
Main railway line which runs from Perth to Inverness and
passes through some spectacular scenary. Pitlochry is
served by trains from London, Edinburgh and Glasgow to
the South and at Inverness connects with the Far North,
Inverness to Aberdeen and the Kyle of Lochalsh lines.
The line is not electrified so all trains are diesel
operated. The majority of the line is single
track with passing loops - one of these is at
Pitlochry Station. Trains on line are operated by
'ScotRail' and 'East Coast'.
****
Trains to and
from London
****
'East
Coast' operate just one direct train per day in each
direction between London (King's
Cross) and Pitlochry. The northbound train
(The Highland Chieftain) departs King's Cross
at noon each day and arrives at Pitlochry at
6:30pm. The return southbound service departs Pitlochry
at around 9:24am and reaches King's Cross at about
3:50pm.
*****
At other times it will be
necessary to change from 'East Coast' to 'ScotRail' at
Edinburgh (Waverley) and possibly
change again at Perth. To view the full East Cost
timetable (including connections)
please click here.
*****
The
Sleeper
****
Members travelling to and
from London may also like to consider the "Caledonian
Sleeper" which is operated by 'ScotRail'. The Northbound
service leaves London (Euston) at
around 9:00pm (earlier on Sundays)
and arrives in Pitlochry at about 06:15am.
The return Southbound service departs
Pitlochry after 10:30pm and arrives in Euston at about
07:45am (later on Sundays). There
are no sleeper services on Saturday nights. Please check
here
for the full timetable and other information.
****
Trains to and from
Edinburgh and Glasgow
*****
'ScotRail' advertise a number
of services each day in each direction between
Edinburgh/Glasgow and Pitlochry (and beyond
to Inverness). However we should warn that it is
often necessary to make a change at Perth. We recommend
that members carrying luggage should try to find a
direct service and for those travelling to the Gathering
from Edinburgh we particularly recommend the service
that departs Edinburgh Waverley at 10:35am and arrives
at Pitlochry shortly after 12:20pm (Not
Sundays). There is a later direct
service departing Edinburgh at 1:35pm. Please
click here
to download a copy of the full timetable
or here
to visit the 'ScotRail' website.
****
Tickets
*****
Members in the UK can buy
their train tickets in advance either direct from the
train operators or from any number of third party
websites - please shop around for the best
price.
****
Overseas members can only
purchase advance tickets on-line via the BritRail
website. Alternatively for
ScotRail services telephone: + 44 845
7550033.
(44 is the international
dialing code for the UK - the + should be replaced by
the appropriate access code in the member's
country).
****
Arrival at
Pitlochry by Train
*****
Click photograph for an alternative view
Members arriving from the South should note that the
'up' platform (2) at Pitlochry
station is "away from" the town centre. This means
that it is necessary to cross a footbridge
(see photographs) in order to leave
the station. If this is an issue, then a taxi pre-booked
from the company listed further down this page can make
arrangements to access the 'up'
platform.
****
ScotRail only
provide a part time staff presence at
Pitlochry station. There are no facilities for
purchasing tickets. For full details of facilities at
the station please click here.
*****
Assistance on
ScotRail
*****
ScotRail do commit to providing assistance with
luggage to and from the train for disabled or older
passengers but only where this has been booked in
advance, and it is reasonably practicable to do so. This
is subject to the availability of
staff.
*****
In order to book this
service in advance members should call the dedicated
ScotRail helpline - telephone : +44 800
9122901
(44 is the international
dialing code for the UK - the + should be replaced by
the appropriate access code in the member's
country).
******
Live Information
!!! New!!!
******
To check on up to date arrival times for trains
from Edinburgh to Pitlochry Station please click
here. This facility includes trains which originate in
London.
****
Walking to
Scotland's Hotel !!!
New!!!
*****
Members
wishing to walk from the Station to Scotland's Hotel
should click here
for further information and a
map.
By Car to Pitlochry
*****
Pitlochry is just off the
main A9 trunk road, 27 miles north of
Perth, so it is fairly easy to travel there by
car. The roads are relatively free of traffic compared
to towns in other parts of the UK. The Pitlochry website
states that their equivalent of a traffic jam is being
stuck behind a caravan or tractor.
*****
Members are warned that
petrol stations are few and far between in the rural
Highlands and when touring it is important to ensure
that one has sufficient fuel in the tank. You
have been warned!
*****
There are details of
various UK Route Planners at the foot of the Gathering
Links
page.
Taxis in Pitlochry
******
The Society suggests that members
requiring a Taxi whilst in Pitlochry should use the
following company:
There is a contact
form on their website. When booking please mention
Clan MacThomas.
*********
The company manager has advised that taxis can meet
passengers arriving with luggage on the "up" platform at
Pitlochry station - provided that the taxi is
pre-booked. This avoids the need to
carry luggage over a footbridge.
*********
The company also offers Taxi Tours of the local
area.
Buses to Pitlochry
****
There
is a direct bus service from Edinburgh bus station to
Pitlochry. The route, number M91, is operated by
Scottish City Link. Please click here
to visit their website. The summer timetable for this
route has recently been published - please click
here
to read it.
*****
There is also an
"advertised" service from Glasgow to Pitlochry - members
are warned this service is not direct and involves a
wait and change of bus in
Perth.
Local Buses in Pitlochry
******
Members without cars
wanting to move around Pitlochry in their free time are
advised that local bus services are available. Details
of the various routes and timetables are published on
the Perth & Kinross Council Website - link.
****
The local bus company in
Pitlochry is Elizabeth Yule buses - telephone: 01796
472290.
****
Further information may be
added here once Summer 2014 timetables are
published.
Car Hire in Pitlochry
*****
There is just
one local family owned company offering car hire in
Pitlochry. Their
details are as follows:
'East
Coast' operate just one direct train per day in each
direction between London (King's
Cross) and Pitlochry. The northbound train
(The Highland Chieftain) departs King's Cross
at noon each day and arrives at Pitlochry at
6:30pm. The return southbound service departs Pitlochry
at around 9:24am and reaches King's Cross at about
3:50pm.
*****
There
is a direct bus service from Edinburgh bus station to
Pitlochry. The route, number M91, is operated by
Scottish City Link. Please click 