The Far North

[Friend or faux]

Any Boarders ever used NorthLink Ferries to Lerwick? Also anyone ever used " The Longest Train " ( the through service from Aberdeen to Penzance ) ?
Asking for a friend.

[Real Al]

This guy on YouTube has done both. His vids are normally entertaining.

[Celtient]

I've taken the ferry from Aberdeen to Lerwick but nothing would entice me to spend 14 hours on a train. I have also flown from Aberdeen to Shetland. Not to Lerwick though, you land at Sumburgh in the south of the main island. I picked up a hire car and had to drive across the runway to exit the airport. No lights or anything to tell you it's safe to go, you just check the sky for planes

[StillSpike]

I've taken the direct train from Kirkcaldy to Penzance - so I guess about 3/4 of the total distance that route runs. It was a bloody long haul, and we ended up having to get off at Plymouth and get a taxi the rest of the way as the train was running too late to connect to Falmouth.

[Friend or faux]

Cheers for that. I am a big Steve Marsh ( & Alicija ) fan. That is what inspired me. I had a bucket list, that I thought would never, ever be fulfilled, due to a disastrous Summer last year. I may be able to accomplish some of it now, thanks to a pacemaker & a small inheritance. I want to see the Scottish Honours, take a trip on the Waverley line, go on the longest train ( Can now afford to do it 1st Class ), have a day trip to Lerwick. I have just had a long weekend at Bath, as a try-out of UK rail network. Flying I reckon, is a no no. Abroad definitely out of the question.

[Rich Tea Wellin]

Cheers for that. I am a big Steve Marsh ( & Alicija ) fan. That is what inspired me. I had a bucket list, that I thought would never, ever be fulfilled, due to a disastrous Summer last year. I may be able to accomplish some of it now, thanks to a pacemaker & a small inheritance. I want to see the Scottish Honours, take a trip on the Waverley line, go on the longest train ( Can now afford to do it 1st Class ), have a day trip to Lerwick. I have just had a long weekend at Bath, as a try-out of UK rail network. Flying I reckon, is a no no. Abroad definitely out of the question.

Just do it

[Friend or faux]

Return ferry crossing to Lerwick, booked for beginning of July.

[Real Al]

If you're a fan of Steve Marsh, you've probably come across this guy, but just in case...



I find these videos endlessly fascinating while having absolutely no desire to subject myself to all day bus or train journeys

[LPE]

I did Perth to Adelaide (38 hours) in 2002 and also Brisbane to Cairns (14 hours) later that year.

I love train travel and find it very relaxing. It’s a highlight of away matches. But nothing would ever persuade me to spend that long on a rattler ever again. Purgatory.

[Celtient]

Return ferry crossing to Lerwick, booked for beginning of July.

I hope you have booked an interpreter as well

[Friend or faux]

Celtient ;- I hope you have booked an interpreter as well


I used to work for BT International ( where there were designated foreign language speakers ). You often heard the request: " French speaker " . One day, someone was dealing with a problem up North and we heard the cry " Scots speaker". I am patient.

[Real Al]

I hope you manage to tick this one off soon, because the last leg from Plymouth to Penzance will be scrapped next month

[Friend or faux]

I have had to abandon the final leg from Aberdeen to Penzance. The train service will cease in a couple of weeks and I am booked to leave Aberdeen on 3rd of July. I investigated a detour to Giants Causeway ( another item on my bucket list ). But there is no simple rail connection to Belfast Ferry since it's been moved from Stranraer. So I have booked 1st Class straight from Aberdeen to London. In Edinburgh I want to see : The Honours of Scotland at the Castle, Britannia, a trip on the Borders Line. Anybody got any suggestions of must things to see in Edinburgh? ( unfortunately I can't drink alcohol, as I am on so many pills, I get chronic indigestion and other stomach problems, so it's a real no, no ). I reckon it will be warm enough to sit through a Wembley Play-Off Final. A success there, would be more than a bucket wish fulfilled. Don't even dream about it!!!!

[Max B Gold]

I have had to abandon the final leg from Aberdeen to Penzance. The train service will cease in a couple of weeks and I am booked to leave Aberdeen on 3rd of July. I investigated a detour to Giants Causeway ( another item on my bucket list ). But there is no simple rail connection to Belfast Ferry since it's been moved from Stranraer. So I have booked 1st Class straight from Aberdeen to London. In Edinburgh I want to see : The Honours of Scotland at the Castle, Britannia, a trip on the Borders Line. Anybody got any suggestions of must things to see in Edinburgh? ( unfortunately I can't drink alcohol, as I am on so many pills, I get chronic indigestion and other stomach problems, so it's a real no, no ). I reckon it will be warm enough to sit through a Wembley Play-Off Final. A success there, would be more than a bucket wish fulfilled. Don't even dream about it!!!!

Train from Central to Ayr and bus link from their to Cairnryan solves the ferry issue.

Or Central to Ayr. Train to Stranraer, taxi to Ferry at Cairnryan. Stop off at Girvan and enjoy a Lemonade at the Queens Arms where former Motherwell legend Peter McCloy served behind the bar in the 70's.