# Scottish Highlands without a car: is the train and bus system reliable?

**URL:** <https://community.tourradar.com/t/scottish-highlands-without-a-car-is-the-train-and-bus-system-reliable/46154>\
**Category:** Scotland\
**Created:** [May 23, 2026, 3:54pm UTC](https://community.tourradar.com/t/scottish-highlands-without-a-car-is-the-train-and-bus-system-reliable/46154 "2026-05-23T15:54:43Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![ken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/cc9497/32.png) [@ken](https://community.tourradar.com/u/ken)\
**Post date:** [May 23, 2026, 3:54pm UTC](https://community.tourradar.com/t/scottish-highlands-without-a-car-is-the-train-and-bus-system-reliable/46154/1 "2026-05-23T15:54:43Z")

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I don’t drive (never learned, long story) and I really want to see the Scottish Highlands this September. Specifically Glencoe, Fort William, and maybe up to Inverness.

Is the public transport actually reliable enough to get around, or am I going to be stranded at a bus stop in the rain waiting for a bus that shows up once a day? I’ve looked at the ScotRail routes and they seem decent for the main towns, but getting to trailheads or more remote spots seems tricky.

Anyone done the Highlands without a car? Was it frustrating or totally fine? I saw some small group tours on TourRadar that handle the transport which might be easier but I like having flexibility.

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**Author:** ![WhisperingPines](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/community.tourradar.com/whisperingpines/32/9663_2.png) [@WhisperingPines](https://community.tourradar.com/u/WhisperingPines)\
**Post date:** [June 12, 2026, 7:01pm UTC](https://community.tourradar.com/t/scottish-highlands-without-a-car-is-the-train-and-bus-system-reliable/46154/2 "2026-06-12T19:01:00Z")

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I would consider using a group tour, since it saves you the hassle of trying to plan the entire thing yourself. When I was in Scotland I could get around major areas, but sometimes you would get a train station and it was really far to make it anywhere from there.

Group tour would save you stress and get you where you need to go!

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**Author:** ![TravelNotes](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/community.tourradar.com/travelnotes/32/4492_2.png) [@TravelNotes](https://community.tourradar.com/u/TravelNotes)\
**Post date:** [June 13, 2026, 4:41am UTC](https://community.tourradar.com/t/scottish-highlands-without-a-car-is-the-train-and-bus-system-reliable/46154/3 "2026-06-13T04:41:08Z")

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Indeed.

Doing the Highlands by public transport is a challenge, so a **[Tour of the Scottish Highlands](https://tnot.es/Scots)** organised by someone else makes a lot of sense.

The only problem now, is choosing which one.

🌍 [Michel](https://tnot.es/Visit).