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'.
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Trains to and from
London
****
Virgin
Trains '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 9:25am and reaches King's
Cross at about 3:51pm.
*****
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 Virgin Trains
"East Coast" 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 9:15pm (earlier on Sundays)
and arrives in Pitlochry at about 06:16am. The return
Southbound service departs Pitlochry after 10:50pm
(earlier on Sundays) and arrives in
Euston at about 07:47am. 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 10:36am and arrives at Pitlochry
at 12:24pm (Not Sundays). There is a
later direct service departing Edinburgh at 1:34pm.
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
800 912 2901 (Free-call in the
UK)
(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
******
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
*****
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! We should perhaps mention that the petrol
station in Kirckmichael now only serves Diesel
fuel.
*****
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:
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 two direct bus service from Edinburgh bus
station to Pitlochry. The routes, numbers M90 and
M91, are operated by Scottish City Link in
association with Parks of Hamilton. Please click here
to visit their website. The summer timetable for this
route has recently been published - please click here
to read it. Members should be warned that there are a
limited number of buses
*****
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.
*****
Megabus also list buses
from Edinburgh to Pitlochry but passengers booking
these appear to ride on the Scottish City Link/Parks
buses.
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 2017 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:
Clan Society Events
Virgin
Trains '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 9:25am and reaches King's
Cross at about 3:51pm.
*****
There
is two direct bus service from Edinburgh bus
station to Pitlochry. The routes, numbers M90 and
M91, are operated by Scottish City Link in
association with Parks of Hamilton. Please click 