Scotland Guide
Getting around
By train
Scotland has a modest rail network, at its densest in the central belt, skeletal in the Highlands, and nonexistent in the Islands. First ScotRail runs the majority of train services, reaching all the major towns, sometimes on lines rated among the great scenic routes of the world.
You can buy train tickets at most stations, but if the ticket office at the station is closed, or the automatic machine isn't working, you may buy your ticket on board from the inspector using cash or a credit card. Those eligible for a national rail pass (£20) can obtain discounted tickets. These include the Young Person's Railcard, for full-time students and those aged between 16 and 25, and the Senior Railcard for people over 60, both of which give a third off most fares. Alternatively, a Family Railcard entitles up to four adults to a 33 percent discount, and up to four children to a sixty percent reduction of the child's full fare. The adults and children travelling need not be related.
In addition, First ScotRail offers several regional passes. The most flexible is the Freedom of Scotland Travelpass, which gives unlimited train travel within Scotland. It's also valid on all CalMac ferries, Glasgow Underground and on various buses in the remoter regions. The pass costs £100 for four days' travel in an eight-day period, or £130 for eight days' travel in a fifteen-day period. The Highland Rover allows unlimited train travel within the Highlands; it costs £65 for four out of eight consecutive days. Lastly, there's a Central Rover, which gives unlimited train travel on lines between Glasgow and Edinburgh; it costs £30 for three out of seven consecutive days.
BritRail passes ( 
www.acprailnet.com/britrail ) are only available for purchase before you leave your home country. The pass is available in a wide variety of types; for example, the BritRail Consecutive Pass, which allows unlimited train travel costs US$332 for eight days. If you've been resident in a European country other than the UK for at least six months, an InterRail pass, allowing unlimited train travel within Britain might be worth it, if Scotland is part of a longer European trip. For more details, visit www.interrailnet.com ).