Can I get round all of Scotland's 7 cities IN A DAY with ScotRail, picking up a souvenir in each?!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 เม.ย. 2022
- I've created The ScotRail Challenge - are you up for giving it a go as well?
To complete the challenge you must:
* Visit every city in Scotland (in any order)
* Leave the train in each city and buy a souvenir
* Use ScotRail services only
* Complete the challenge start to finish on the same day
What could possibly go wrong? :) Join me on the inaugural attempt!
I gave this one a go on Tuesday 19th April 2022. My ticket details are shown below:
Dundee to Edinburgh 06:02/07:36 £9.30
Edinburgh to Glasgow 08:15/09:07 £16.10
Glasgow to Stirling 09:41/10:13 £9.10
Stirling to Perth 11:11/11:41 £9.10
Perth to Inverness 13:14/15:22 £13.10
Inverness to Aberdeen 17:14/19:38 £9.80
Aberdeen to Dundee 20:49/21:56 £9.80
TOTAL TICKET PRICE £76.30
Music courtesy of epidemicsound.com
'Maps' by August Wilhelmsson
Map courtesy of Network Rail
Hi, I’m Steve. I am a travel reviewer and post my trip reports here on TH-cam. I pay for my own travel and produce my own videos. If you have any questions about my journeys or travel advice in general, please drop me a comment - I do read every single one. I’d also love to hear any recommendations you may have for future content, or why not challenge me to try something a little out of the ordinary! If you are looking to collaborate on any type of project, I’d love to hear from you - email me your ideas and hopefully we can work together in the future.
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#Scotrail #ScotrailChallenge #RailChallenge
Whaaaaat!? Her Majesty has just made my video look very out-of-date after little over a month! Welcome to the club Dunfermline, looks like I have some planning to do…
could be worse, could have to include Elgin as well!
@Boston Railfan wouldn't,t mind that
YOU ARE CRAZY
Are there any direct train services between Dundee and Dunfermline?
@@jvgreendarmok probably have to go to Inverkiething and change..
Hi Steve, I was the conductor on your Stirling to Perth train who was worried you were trying to get off at Bridge of Allan! Great to have you on board and showcasing the railway. All the best. :)
Haha no way man!!! Great to see you, although me jumping off a moving train at Bridge of Allan would have made for a much more entertaining video :) See you soon on a ScotRail train, be sure to say hi!
Don't know how you do it Steve but you always come up with fabulous ideas and content. Another terrific fun filled scenic and informative video as always. For your final Dundee destination when you headed into Tesco I thought you were going to pick up a Dundee cake but I was wrong 🤣 marmalade was just as good 👍. Well done for completing the challenge 🙌
Steve always professionally presented i absolutely love them …but naebodys perfect …things go wrong …the over efficient security guard That step thats been there for years but you trip over it …That slippy bit of mud waiting for you …that missed plane ..go on steve you no you want to lol 😂😂😂
We used the trains extensively on our 2 trips. The trains and staff have always been wonderful! People don't realize how good the Scotrail system is.
I want Steve to be a passenger on one of my trains! (Aberdeen based conductor). Boo you Shaun, boo you! 😂😉
Loved every minute, a great combination of beautiful Scottish countryside, sunny weather and trains. Steve you must be due an award for services to Scottish tourism!
Cheers Stephen! I wish :)
I'm watching from Moraira in Spain. These videos are superb mate. Scotland is beautiful.....a feast for the eyes. The tourist board should adopt you as their flag waver. 😎🍻
I have a confession to make. Amongst loving your videos and missing Scotland like crazy, I also tune in to listen to the music you choose. Absolutly beautiful music to acompany the videos.
Same, Steve has great taste in music and a huge talent for matching it to his beautiful filming ❤
Absolutely agree!
Thanks so much!!! I struggle a bit with music, it's the bit that takes longest to get right to be honest, so super-appreciated :)
@@steve-marsh
That was BRILLIANT! My dad was from Prestwick. I love journeying with you around Scotland.
May I ask what music you used for this video? It was beautiful, mesmerizing and perfect for the challenge.
Many thanks and happy travels! HI to Alecia (sp?) 👋🏻👋🏻
@SteveMarsh, I agree, the music really fitted the video nicely. Made me want to hope on a train straight away and come back to the highlands for a visit. I know the music is from EpidemicSound but can you tell me what it was called please?
Hey Steve! I imagine Geoff Marshall is going to be someone that will take up your challenge! 😆
Oh I'd love to think he's watched this!!!!
So very well done Steve, that was just awesome,loved it,
And the Dundee marmalade at the end, what can you say 💯👍🏴
Cheers Douglas! I couldn't believe it when I saw that jar of marmalade at the end, I was sure I'd failed at the very last moment!
How the Scottish Highlands looks so stunning 😮
My wife and I took the train up from Manchester to Edinburgh - our first trip to Scotland (from the States). Coming out of Waverly is magical from that first experience. Edinburgh is still my favorite city - great video - thanks. Touring the City Chambers is Glasgow is a must do for first time travelers - a masterpiece of a building.
So glad to hear it! Yeah, as a local, we sometimes forget how stunning that first sight of Edinburgh is stepping out of Waverley. And you are spot on as well with the City Chambers in Glasgow :)
As someone who aims to travel to every city in the UK, this is exactly my kind of challenge; props to you for actually doing it!
I am very slowly visiting every UK city, a few each year and visiting an attraction each time. It is a fabulous little hobby.
The Stirling, Perth, Inverness and Aberdeen stations bring back memories of my visit as an 18 year old in 2000. The scenery between Stirling and Inverness is not something I will ever forget. I spent 5 months in Scotland. Inverness, Aberfoyle, Aviemore and Aberdeen. The only memory of Queen St is a run from the taxi ranks to the platform to catch the train to Inverness.
Back in ~1986/7, there was a special Rail Day with a rover ticket for £5 go anywhere. It was green topped.
We started at Dundee station and did the loop to Perth, up to Inverness, a stop off in Nairn, then on to Aberdeen and back to Dundee late at night. It was great, busy and exhausting. Well Done ScotRail. Not sure they repeated the experience as they were overwhelmed by demand :) great way to see Scotland.
I’m proud to call Scotland home and thanks Steve for showing it in such a loving way. Your other video inspired me to take the train to Mallaig when spring comes 😊
Putting your faith in ScotRail...... brave man 😱😱
That's what I thought - was expecting some 'replacement buses' at some point :D
This was such a brilliant idea for a video. I really enjoyed the beautiful shots and music. Isn't Scotland beautiful? Great video!
Well done on completion of your challenge Steve 👏 👍
I come back to this classic every now and then! Great work, Steve.
Despite 4 visits to Scotland, which include a few rail stations showcased in this video, you have again helped me find more places to go explore in your lovely country. Thanks again for taking us along!
it isn't a country
@@Cal_lum look it up. It IS a country that is part of the UK.
Lovely video Steve, with Scotland looking stunning as always. Did you know the class 66 locomotive that was pulling the Caledonian sleeper at Inverness Is a significant one?. It was the last one to be built for uk & European markets. It was named by GBRF as Evening Star and it has been liveried in lined passenger express brunswick green, in commemoration of the last steam locomotive of the same name to have been built by Swindon Works for British Railways in 1960.
Thanks so much for this info Colin! So glad I caught it in the video now :)
@@steve-marsh also how in the background when you were in inverness you see that red double decker bus with cream stripes, thats a freshly repainted special livery to show 70 years of buses in the highlands
For that jar of Dundee Marmalade you've earned a new sub! At the risk of annoying every Scot reading this- that moment was personal. My ancestors were the Keilors, who "invented" marmalade there in Dundee! FWIW, I f***king HATE marmalade lololol
Hi Steve. I'm a bit late to the party on this one!! This video really resonates with me. Scotrail did a 'go anywhere' day ticket, so did most of these routes in a day as a teenager. Great challenge and STUNNING scenery from the trains. But for me, on this particular video, the music choice is spot on!! Loved it. Congrats.
We have a trip to Scotland coming up soon and I'm so glad you posted this so I could see a bit what it's like to travel around by train. I've never done it before
So glad it's a wee bit helpful Sara! Have a wonderful time when you come to Scotland :)
You absolutely caught the perfect day for the trip, Mate. The landscapes looked stunning in that light! 🤗
Cheers pal, aye, I got really lucky with everything on this day!
Great achievement Steve, can’t believe you got the marmalade in the end. Neither can I believe your comments on Inverness. It is a wonderful city!
Dundee to Edinburgh: Class 158
Edinburgh to Glasgow: Class 385
Glasgow to Stirling: Class 43 Inter7city
Stirling to Perth: Class 170
Perth to Inverness: Class 43 inter7city
Inverness to Aberdeen: Class 43 inter7city
Aberdeen to Dundee; Class 43 inter7city
Hi Steve, how you come up with your videos, travel and ideas are beyond me. How fantastic as per usual, great content, information and photography. No point in saying keep up the good work as it's a given. Thank you as always.
Ah cheers Brian! I'd actually thought it wouldn't be possible without some REALLY tight connections, but turned out it went FAR too smoothly :D
My favorite train route in the UK has to be from Perth up to Inverness because of the amazing scenery you get out of the windows.
Try Birmingham New St to Wolverhampton. The variety of Scrap Metal dealers is impressive
So loved your video !! We are from the US and love your rail system and we used it through all through the UK . Thank you .
Glad you enjoyed it! :)
Good luck on your 7 city's Steve
We always get a wee bit excited when we see you have posted another video! 'Oh look, Steve had done another one!' The things you do for us - train travel for hours and lack of sleep - you are dedicated! Thanks Steve.
Thanks so much! I'd better get thinking of the next trips and challenges now :)
Thanks Steve, I would never have thought of this trip and all on a nationalized Scot Rail, Brilliant. I'm off to Glasgow next month to visit the galleries and search out Billy's three murals, I was going to drive, but seeing your video I'm going by train. ATB Big Dave Scotland
Oh Dave you're giving me ideas!
I honestly clicked on this for the trains but honestly.... I learnt quite a bit in this video that I didn't even knew. epic video.
That was an adventure, trains are great but there is always that uncertainty with trains, you never know. Its a relaxing way to travel if you aren't clock watching!!!!
Isn't it funny how sitting the whole day leaves you cream cracked.
I'll have to do that one day, let the country pass you by🚂
You're so right Michael, no way did I see this one going so smoothly!
Wowzer, that journey from Perth to Inverness was breathtaking! So glad you made it round. Looking forward to this half price sale that's supposed to be coming up on ScotRail to take advantage of some of those views.
Aye, read about that one on the very morning of this trip - I'll be looking for some deals too :)
I really thought that the iconic HST train units from the 70th were completely out of service. And here I watch your wonderful video and you are travelling in them a few times now.
You are a braver man than me. I would never even leave the station when I have a connection, unless I had hours.
It is so cool!!! If Dumfries becomes a city in this year, I think this challenge will be pretty difficult to finish.
Haha bring it on :D
Well if you could start and finish at different places you could go Dumfries-Glasgow-Edinburgh-Stirling-Perth-Dundee-Aberdeen-Inverness. That might be possible.
This was a video TaylorMade for me! I love riding trains, not that I've been able to do it a lot. I've gotten on our public transport and just gone to the end of the line and come back to where I am just to have been on a railroad. do I don't consider those proper railroads. thank you once again for all the work that you do and sleep that you give up to do these wonderful videos for us. Say hi to Alicja for me. Be well, stay safe, love from Texas.
All the best from us both Kate! I'm with you 100% - it doesn't even matter the destination when you are on the railroad! :)
Scottish souvenir? Deep fried Mars bar and a kick in the Cairngorms.
Thank you for your beautiful journey around the city's of Scotland
What a brilliant challenge Steve, and we'll done upon its' completion. Next is all of England's cities in 48hr. FYI, there's only 51! 🤣
Haha challenge accepted! :D
For an added complication at least two of the cities (Ripon and Wells) don’t have railway stations.
@@jennyhouse6748 Westminster & City of London I doubt have them too
You have a beautiful country to explore and well done on the challenge, it made great viewing.
Thanks so much! That was a longgggg day :D
Love inverness fantastic place best city in Scotland in my eyes :)
What a beautiful flying trip around Scotland. Really shows it off. And the music is perfect.
Cheers Andrew!
Those clouds against that blue sky were so gorgeous! I loved the idea of this challenge! There’s something about exciting about doing things this way, because you can see so much. And oh, the architecture in these cities!
Aye Stephanie, I get too excited about challenges like this! :D and what a day I got for out eh?!
Looked stunning from Perth to Inverness. I was never in Perth, passed it by going to Loch Ness Highland Lodges in the camper.
Aye, best stretch by far - stunning scenery, and being able to sit back and enjoy it, normally focussed on the road!
I'm looking forward to the up-to-date challenge!!
I nearly didn't watch this one & I absolutely loved it! You are such a fun presenter Steve please don't stop doing these. That music again, I love it, what is it?
Loved the video Steve, especially the Perth to Inverness bit. When we hopefully visit Scotland next year we'll need 3 months to see all the places thanks to you! :) Was watching a Netflix film the other day supposedly set in the Highlands but actually shot north of Dumfries and was thinking maybe you need to shine some light on Southern Scotland (or is there nothing there to write home about?) All the best
Cheers Brian! Aye, long overdue a video in that part of the world, high on the list!
Lovely shots of the moon setting and the sun rising that morning. I always love the day before the full moon! Great video, as ever!
Cheers Lori! Aye, that sunrise was incredible!
@5:01 .. yes ! Edinburgh rock is lovely, far far better than the normal rock.
Great video and enjoyable to watch.
My wife and i visited Edinbugh earlier this year for the first time in 20+ years, then had a trip to Glasgow .. Both mini breaks were fantastic. Going again to Edinburgh in January and Glasgow in June 2024. Hotels already booked and trains for EDB too, so something to look forward to. York + Leeds trip in March, so we'll need to start packihng soon.
Regards from Whitley Bay
Can't beat the older HST trains! Remember them on my local London to Bristol railway with GWR back on the day!
A great idea, brilliantly executed. You have rekindled my interest in Stirling, since the bits Ive seen (briefly), were not great. Well done super video.
Aye, you sure won't get a great impression in the shopping streets, but lots to see a bit further out
Are you sure that Dundee marmalade counts, Steve? I buy it all the time in my local Sainsburys. 😂 I have loved every minute of this video - thank you!
Haha trust me, a kebab would have counted at that time Sue :)
You could just go to the local shop and get a till receipt that will have sterling or Aberdeen written on it
I remember as a kid, standing on that bridge just under Edinburgh castle rock and waiting for the steam trains to come under the bridge and getting covered in steam!!
It was all beautiful however Perth to Inverness was stunning 🤗
Well done Steve. A tough one, especially the last few hours where sleep was beckoning.
Some gorgeous scenery moving past the windows and really superb weather for the whole day.
(next video - Steve sleeps for forty eight hours?)
Cheers Rob, aye it was a long day (especially with the hour each way to get to Dundee before and after!) Haha no way, I was up at 8am editing the beast :)
Great idea for a challenge, Steve! I would have needed quite a few *coffees* to get me through that! (Also nice to see all those refurbished HSTs)!
Oh Roger I challenge you to do it (7 cities, 7 coffees) :D
Two things learned from this video, as an American who hopes to visit Scotland.
1) The train looks quite convenient. I'm considering not renting a car. That would ease a huge concern, as I wasn't looking forward to driving on the left side!
2) The countryside is forested. I pictured all of Scotland looking like Skye, with rocky short grass highlands, barren of any trees.
We have a few trees but nowhere near enough. But it does make for a stunning landscape as well, a bit different to anywhere else. The roads can be really difficult, and often left/right doesn't even matter as they are so narrow you just go right down the middle :D
I loved the look of Newport on Tay and Pitlochry.
That was absolutely brilliant, Steve, love visiting all the Scottsh cities (and a good few towns) but to do in a day was brilliant. And with those mince, bean and tatties pies - can it really get any better? I've got to do this, this summer. Now I just have to talk my wife into joining me...
Haha yeah, Alicja wasn't too keen on doing me on this one :)
Hi Steve, my wife & i really enjoy watching your travels & challenges around Scotland & your easy to watch style with just the right amount of info thrown in. We havn't done much touring around Scotland yet but will definitely be using your videos as inspiration for places to visit when we finally get the time. Keep up the great content both of you. ( will be saving this one to watch later when there's nothing on telly)
Thanks so much to you both for tuning in :) Really appreciate your kind words!
Great job lots of childhood memories the souvenirs were great
The Perth coffee mug would become my favorite mug. I am surprised at how empty the trains are in Scotland. I believe in leaving the driving to someone else. Longest trip I made was driving my car from California to Florida. My sister, my furbaby , a small U-haul trailer and we left California.
Great Video, Steve! As always. But sorry to burst your bubble re on time trains in Germany. Not experiencing delays on any kind of rail journey feels like winning the lottery these days (Trivia: did you know that a train that is 5mins late still counts as being on time with Deutsche Bahn? 😉)
Oh who would have believed it! :)
Steve Marsh All the Scottish stations- Geoff Marsh “All the stations” 9/10 loved it - I’m planning on Fife to Kyle of Lochalsh for the scenery soon,
Hey me too! See you onboard!
Wow what a beautiful journey I liked the lilting tunes too
What a cracking day, Steve. Probably not up for the rush myself, but I'lldefinitely do it in slower time. :)
Hi Steve, would you ever do a trip to strathconnon it’s west of Inverness. I used to holiday there all the time with my parents its a beautiful place. There both gone now but would love to see the place again. I live in Australia and really miss Scotland. Love your videos keep it up.
I'm writing this down and will be sure to visit with the camera next time I'm in the area, thank you!
Another great challenge completed Steve. Just out of curiosity, how much time do you spend on trains from leaving Dundee and getting back off there? I always look forward to your content 👍
@@marengtech313 he asked about ON BOARD the train, not all the time was spent on the train.
Well Steve, as usual that was wonderful. Thank you so much. Look forward to your next trip. 😎☕️🇨🇦
hahaha i watched this and as a dundonian i was thinking "here on eart hare you gonna get something dundee at 10pm???? this is impossible!" racking my brain of all the shops i thought you could get something ..... then i saw the marmalade and i laughed so hard xD
Fantastic job! i think i need to go explore for myself now, this has wetted my appetite for adventure!
Do an Ayrshire station tour showing one that’s been in chaos for 5 years while authorities dither and another that half burned down 🤣 Actually just getting a ticket in time to get on a train feels like a challenge
And a building that is tragically falling to bits and is covered in plastic.
@@DavidPeacock1972 Even the plastic is now falling to bits
Alas, we cannot be there to do such a wonderful challenge, but we enjoyed this so much! There's nothing like a great train ride and we miss them tremendously so when we saw this video pop up we were so excited. It just reminded us of how much we miss Scotland. (It took great patience to wait for Brent to finish work so we could watch it together.😉) I will have to live vicariously through your videos Steve until we get there next spring. Can't believe the beautiful weather you managed to arrange from the Scotland weather gods. And you tire yourself out just for us viewers, but I know you thoroughly enjoy what you do. We are so very grateful that you chose to take up the camera and give everyone a closer look at such stunning places and in doing so I believe you have discovered so much more about your own country too. Love You Tube, it can be such an educational tool. Well, I guess I'll have to soldier through now until the next fun adventure. Thanks again for taking the time for what you do! 😀
Absolutely Fantastic Steve, I must confess my favorite leg was Perth to Inverness... Magnificent scenery..
Thanks so much
Thank you for showing this video. This gives us something to do for a day in Scotland 2023
Well done Steve, some wonderful scenery
A truly excellent video Steve and and a brilliant choice of music to accompany the journey !
fair play yet again fella and a great idea for content, I use Scotrail most weeks and what I will say is the staff are a real credit to the company.
You really landed the weather eh, great stuff and massive Thanks again.
Cheers
Totally agree mate! They were awesome :)
Wow thanks for posting ! We are hoping to see Scotland next year. Your videos are great. Greeting from Vancouver Canada 🇨🇦
Should try the train from Inverness to Kyle of lochalsh. Amazing scenery!
We also have a carbuncle in Northern Ireland. Lisburn Station is one of the prettiest stations in the country and it's been saddled with a modern footbridge that they didn't even try to make fit in.
I've just got back home from Scotland. And I can honestly say I had some if the best views ever from trains . I can't wait to go back. This little documentary was really excellent Steve you did a great job .keep it going and enjoy .
Great vid Steve. Love the haunting music. Thanks for the trip.
Another lovely video and so nice to see other places in Scotland I haven't been to yet, only getting to this video now on a lazy day
I hope she made you a nice cuppa when you got back ! Great report !!!
Thanks again Steve for a lovely journey, good to show this video to someone travelling t Scotland. I now live near Stirling and it is nice share your video with friends south of the border❤
Hey thanks so much Pauline! This was such. fun day oot!
The best thing to do in Perth if you have a spare hour is to walk across the railway bridge (on the Perth to Dundee line) and visit the island in the middle with a pebble beach, it's great on a sunny day and has great views of the River Tay, it was about 10 mins walk from where you got your pies.
That was brilliant! I'm glad I've just discovered your channel!
Great video and challenge. So well presented, great footage and love the calming music.
Enjoyable viewing. Thankful your Scottish accent is understandable. Lots of blue skies eh!. (Australia)
Very enjoyable video!! Loved it!!! ❤
Great video as always Steve, thanks for sharing it with us!
Cheers Pete! :)
Another excellent upload!!! Really enjoyable as always, thank you.
Thanks so much! I wasn't sure this one was possible so was amazed it went so smoothly :)
Brilliant as always Steve. Loving seeing the sights of Scotland, its amazing
Really enjoyed this video, it’s inspired me to give this a go!
Yes I'd be knackered after the first couple of stations if I got up a 3:30. Very nice though. I was inwardly cheering when you went through Pitlochry as that was the first place I stayed in Scotland in 1988. Been there a few times since. So beautiful Tayside is.
Steve, yet another great vid, with some great views of the Scottish landscape, especially the skyscape. Shows that Scotland is really beautiful!!!
That was awesome Steve... Enjoyed it !!! :):):)
That was a fun challenge, Steve. Thanks for posting a great video, as usual.