Train travel and tourism: West Highland Line

Tourism is a big industry in Scotland. Visitors from other parts of the UK, Europe and the rest of the world come on holiday here. And when you live here already, it can be lots of fun travelling and exploring places you have never visited!

In this article you can learn about:

• travelling in Scotland by train and bicycle
• the tourism and food industries in the West Highlands
• how travel and tourism support each other

This article is suitable for learning about People, Place and Environment topics in primary school.

Join Isla and Connor as they go on an adventure on the West Highland Line. They learn about train travel and the tourism and food industries in the West Highlands.

Train travel is an essential part of the transport infrastructure in Scotland.

The train network supports the road network, connects to cycle paths and ferry ports, and provides onward travel for tourists arriving at our airports.

It allows people to commute to work or school in the larger towns and cities from suburbs and smaller settlements where they live. It is also a more sustainable way of transporting freight, or goods, longer distances. It is estimated that one freight train can carry the load of 76 lorries, while emitting only a quarter of the carbon.

Here are some examples of facilities on the railway to encourage more passengers:

Advantages

• Travelling longer distances by train, especially electric train, can be much more environmentally friendly than travelling by car or plane. This is because planes and petrol or diesel cars release more carbon emissions. Planes are faster at covering long journeys, but burn more fuel. Cars produce the most emissions of any transport because there are so many of them and they are used so often.
• People can choose to work or relax on the train, rather than concentrating on driving over the same distance.
• For cyclists, you can take your bike on the train, and cycle to your final destination (just like Isla and Connor!) or use bike racks to store them securely at a station.

Disadvantages

• Trains follow a strict timetable which might not always be convenient.
• A lot of places in Scotland are not directly accessible by train. This can mean you need another form of transport to take you to and from your nearest station.
• It can be costly to travel by train. There are usually ways to find cheaper tickets, but this can involve travelling at 'off-peak' times only, which might not suit.

The Highlands and Islands of Scotland are a popular tourist destination. People come here from all over the world to enjoy the natural beauty and hospitality of the region. Lots of tourists means there can be more businesses catering for visitors, such as hotels, restaurants and shops, as well as tourist attractions and activities to encourage them to spend more time there. All of these can bring money and jobs to the area.

Oban is known as the 'Gateway to the Isles' because of its ferry links to the Inner Hebrides including Mull, Rum and Iona, and the Western Isles. It is also known for its delicious seafood.

Oban has been a popular tourist destination since the 1820s. The opening of the Crinan Canal in 1801 and the Caledonian Canal in 1822 created new transport links to the towns of Glasgow, Fort William and Inverness. The canals allows transport of passengers as well as goods. The opening of the railway in 1880 meant that many more people could travel to Oban quickly and easily.

There are many reasons why tourists enjoy visiting a particular town or area. Let's look at some examples of why Oban remains a popular place to visit.

The West Highland Line is often listed as one of the most scenic train journeys in the world. It allows visitors travelling by train to explore towns such as Oban, Fort William and Mallaig, as well as Rannoch Moor, Loch Long and Loch Lomond. These are popular places to visit for cyclists, walkers and people who enjoy watersports.

The part of the journey from Fort William to Mallaig can also be taken on a steam train. This journey is a rare opportunity for visitors to travel by steam train, as most steam trains are no longer in use. The train passes over the Glenfinnan Viaduct, where you can get a great view of Loch Shiel. The viaduct was made famous in the Harry Potter film series, as the Hogwarts Express would travel on it on its journey from London Kings' Cross to Hogwarts every year!

freight - goods transported in bulk, often over long distances, by trains, trucks, boats and planes.

carbon emissions - the release of carbon in to the earth’s atmosphere which contributes to climate change.

infrastructure - the structures and services needed to provide basic services, such as transport, electricity or water.

commute - travelling between home and a place of work.

viaduct - a type of bridge that uses arches, piers or columns to support an elevated railway or road over low lying ground.

Design a train carriage

Design and draw a train carriage suitable for all kinds of people who might travel on the train - families, workers, visitors. Think about:

• how accessible the train is
• what facilities might make people more likely to use the train

but also…

• what would make a train journey really special?

Use your imagination! Who knows, you might just invent a train of the future!