6: Get the Trainspotting vibe with this walk from Corrour to Rannoch
Stunning train journey from Rannoch Station to Corrour (12 minutes) - famous for the scene in Trainspotting.
Surprisingly there are two amazing cafes at each train station. We have been to both and can report them to be fantastic! No need to pack a large picnic.
18km walk from Corrour back to Rannoch Station along the Road to the Isles.
Walk begins with a shallow ascent, but largely downhill after 6km (224m total ascent)
We’ve done this walk with the youngest child being 7. It’s as a long day for them, but it’s manageable.
Getting to the Start
Rannoch Station is one of the most remote railway stations in the British Isles located approx 18miles from the village of Kinloch Rannoch. There’s a good car park in the train station and you can park there all day. The postcode is PH17 2QA.
If you’re driving there in the morning, you’re going to want to leave early. Ideally catching the train from Rannoch to Corrour at 11am. This means leaving Edinburgh at 7:30-8am….
Another alternative is to travel there by train the day before and stay in the area. There are a couple of highly rated camping pods / cabins at Rannoch Station. Best way to find these is to type "Rannoch Station" into an AirBnb search.
Highlights
Catch the train to Corrour (the most remote in the UK), which featured in the famous trainspotting scene and don't miss out on the Corrour cafe. We had coffees and toasties there. Some friends have told us that the venison stew at Corrour cafe is the best meal they’ve ever had in their lives! Big portions and lovely home-cooked food.
Take a small detour at Loch Ossian to explore the Youth Hostel there. Super cute and can sleep 36 people!
The route follows the Road to the Isles, the shallow ascent at the start becomes mostly downhill after 6km.
Walk Description
Park the car in the Rannoch Station free car park. There are food public toilets there and a lovely tearoom for a coffee and cake. Jump on the train to Corrour. There is only one train each morning - so check train times in advance and make sure you don’t miss it! The train takes 12 minutes and you pay your ticket on the train, with the conductor.
Upon arriving at Corrour train station, it’s worth taking the obligatory Trainspotting photo and visiting the cafe in the station house.
There are no official roads surrounding Corrour station. Follow the track for Corrour Youth Hostel and Rannoch.
Follow the road until you see the Corrour Youth Hostel on your left, beside Loch Ossian. At this stage, look for signs for “Rannoch Road”. This is the Road to the Isles and your route back to the car.
Follow the road for 15km! The start of the walk is a slight ascent; however, after 6km, the road levels out and it’s downhill all the way back.
The walk feels like a long way and you’ll want to allow around 5-6 hours of walking, resting, snacking time. In return, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking Highland views, a feeling of true remoteness and one of the best MAX adventures of your life!
TOP TIPS
Keep your eye on your weather app to choose the best day possible for this. This is a longish day out and worth avoiding the rain for. Remember that horseflies (or clogs) are most active in the summer months from June to September and will be particularly unpleasant in sunny weather, with no wind. If you find yourself walking on a day like this… take insect repellent!
Dipping your feet in Loch Rannoch on the drive home feels fantastic!
POSSIBLE SHORTENING OF ROUTE…
The second time we did this walk, we dropped the family off at Rannoch Station and drove the car back to the intersection between the Road to the Isles and the B846. We then ran the one mile back to the station before catching the train.
This may sound extreme, but it made a big difference to the younger kids at the end of the walk not to finish that final mile on the main road.
If you have a fit person willing to do this, might be worth it!
