The reports claim times between north and south could be cut

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) transport body Hitrans and the Highland Rail Partnership believe the trip could take two hours 45 minutes.

The organisations are behind two reports suggesting improvements to the Highland main line.

The studies were handed to the Scottish Executive on Tuesday.

According to the reports, an hourly service could run on the line in a time of two hours 45 minutes - nearly an hour faster than the present direct service.

Less congestion

Rolling stock would need to be upgraded and �55m ploughed into other improvements.

A more frequent and quicker service would compete better against road travel, resulting in less congestion and CO2 emissions, the reports said.

Key improvements recommended include re-doubling the four mile length between Culloden and Daviot and building a passing loop at Ballinluig.

The reports claimed that significant work to the line in Fife could further also reduce journey times to Edinburgh to two hours 30 minutes.

These improvements would also benefit services to Perth, Dundee, Aberdeen and the north east.

Rail is already an important driver in the economy, supporting over 1,500 full-time jobs Charlie King Hitrans chairman

One report looked at the capacity of the current rail infrastructure in the Highlands, assessing how much future growth it could cope with.

It also provided cost estimates for specific, identified projects.

The other investigated the likely future demand for rail services and analysed the economic benefits of some of the key service enhancements.

Charlie King, chairman of Hitrans and Highland Rail Network, said: "Rail is already an important driver in the economy, supporting over 1,500 full-time jobs.

"These reports help underline the further potential that an enhanced rail network can give to the Highlands."