Although there are many scenic train lines in the UK, there seems to be some consensus that only two are truly world class – the West Highland Line and the Kyle Line. I have been on both in the last fortnight and struggle to decide which is the best.

I mentioned last week my trip from Rannoch to Mallaig on the West Highland Line. Most travel websites seem to claim this line as the best. It is certainly dramatic as it travels across bleak moors, clings to edges of steep gorges, and across dramatic viaducts. I particularly enjoyed the emptiness of some of the countryside, and the waterfalls. On the negative side, hundreds of fellow tourists boarded the train at Fort William, presumably to see the Harry Potter locations.

The Kyle line runs coast to coast across the highlands from Inverness to the Kyle of Lochalsh. Although it also has some dramatic cuttings and bridges I would say it is more gentle than the West Highland Line. However it has the most stunning views across lochs on both sides of the train, and the 40 minute run down Loch Carron from Attadale to the Kyle has to be one of the most beautiful journeys I have ever made. It was also wonderful when we got there to look out across the sea to the hills of Skye.

I am probably biased by the fantastic weather on this second trip but if I have to choose I will call the Kyle Line as the best by a whisker.

Of course in order to get to Inverness I did have to take the Highland Mainline through the Cairngorms which is also famous. As a train geek I am so very lucky to be staying in this part of Scotland.