March 2024 by Laurena Kelly
You need to do this!! We went on the Steam Train today and absolutely loved every minute! It was like going back in time. The carriages were so well preserved and we took a walk up to the first class carriages and got to have a look at them (we were standard class). Worth every penny at less than £20pp. The views are lovely on the way up and there were 2 decent 10 min stops on the way up and down at a station where you could get out and see the train in its glory. It was really cool seeing the front detach and join the back on the return journey. You can also get some great views of the train from the big windows at the end of the carriage. Highly recommend to do this!
January 2024 by Mairi Macintyre
Perfect, the train is fabulous, the staff are superb, the pace, so comfortable. A moment of loveliness
November 2023 by MikeExpressTrain Condon
This is a truly great station that has retained the heritage of a long-lost era of rail modernisation.Strathsprey probably saved the entire complex.Strathsprey do their best to present authentic heritage.
October 2023 by Shannen Macdonald
We went here for a 20th anniversary surprise party for the lunch train journey. It was absolutely amazing! The staff were great and so accommodating. The food was simple but wholesome and well done and I was so surprised at the alcohol options (plenty). Overall it was a wonderful experience and I think beyond fairly priced. Highly recommended!
October 2023 by Douglas Young
Platform 3 gives you access to the beautiful Strathspey steam railway, departing from Aviemore.You're given time to get off at the other stations which are well-worth pictures as the loco takes on water - we're back in the 1950's now.Staff are in full uniform and really make you feel welcome; for a few more pounds grab an armchair in the observation car and be served tea/coffee and some delicious cakes.Young children seem to adore anything connected to stream railways so if you're anywhere near Aviemore or the Cairngorms, book a trip. (You'll be best to book in advance!)
September 2023 by Jason Stacey
Great train journey about 1.5 hours. Avimore to boat of Garten. Cafe if your quick enough . Steam train was nice. 2 quick stops then back, cheap for 2 adults 1 child £30
September 2023 by Nicola McDade
Steam train experience: My husband and I booked the first class high-tea option so we got our own cabin. Was great! never done this kind of thing before and was on both our bucket lists.To upgrade to the first-class cabin wasn't that much more either so we thought, why not!?! We got a little bottle of Prosecco each as well as a massive pot of tea, choice of sandwich for our high-tea set, and the various cakes and sweets that came with it.The journey on the steam train was 45min out and 45min back with short stops on the 2 stations along the way. Staff were always helpful and kind, letting you know what was happening all the time.The return saw the steam engine switching ends of the train which was great to watch.Got to see some amazing Scottish countryside and relax for an hour an a half whilst eating snacks and drinking tea [took the prosecco home].
September 2023 by Rob Barron
You dont need to be a train enthusiast to enjoy this lovely journey from Aviemore to Boat of Garten. It?s an absolute delight as well as being nostalgic and scenic. I?ve added some photos to give you a taste of the trip but really you need to experience it to really get the most from it. Even Aviemore station is a lovely old station.There is good parking for people doing the train journey, right alongside the back of the station. This also means you don?t need to go over the foot bridge to get to the platform you need for the steam train, very useful if like me you are mobility impaired. You can pay for a meal or refreshments but personally we just wanted to enjoy the ride and the view ?
August 2023 by Jodi Hutton
My teenager has been a long time lover of all things trains. We came from the states and this was a bucket list item! This was incredible! We did the afternoon tea.Yea was great, sandwiches, cakes and desserts were all absolutely lovely! We loved this experience so very much! Even as adults!Not just for kids.I had marked that I have an egg allergy (I have a sensitivity but mostly to quiche and scrambled egg) and they took it so seriously and I was very appreciative!
August 2023 by Arthur Barfield
Absolutely banging place. The people were great and the light lunch we booked was both delicious and succulent. With an awesome view all hauled by a wonderful Stanier black five steam locomotive. Easy to park but took some working out as the google maps pin is on the wrong side of the line. Would definitely do again.
August 2023 by M (Honest reviewer)
Super nice experience for afternoon tea. Good value for money. The ride is about 1.40h long. This feels just perfect, not too short but not too long if you have little children.We bought the tickets on the day at the train station. All the stuff was super nice.
August 2023 by Tammy Gray
Had a lovely relaxing day with our son and friends. We paid for seats only and just took some snacks with us. Beautiful scenery and a couple of stops at some lovely old stations, including a miniature railway set-up at Boat of Garten. Staff clearly love what they do and the driver gave us a wee toot when we left the platform as they went past!
July 2023 by Belinda Craig
A ride on a steam train. Not done that since childhood. Great nostalgia trip.We took the return train from the Boat of Garten to Aviemore.The train ride was super.Even the interior took me back to the 60's / 70's.We purchased tickets from a lovely lady in the station ticket office. She was exceedingly helpful and even came out onto the platform when the train arrived to make sure we boarded correctly.This was no mean feat. There were lots of French tourists on the platform, taking photos of the train & she made sure we could get through and onto the train. Thank you so much.Love it when you find genuinely helpful people who love their job and go the extra mile x
July 2023 by Tom Gayler
I am a lover of steam and heritage railways, where ever they may lay in Britain. To find one near Inverness, during a short break was great. I booked a trip out on the recently restored observation car, which I would recommend for unrivalled views of the area. What I did find to be lacking, was full guidance on their website. While other heritage railways provide a composite website, so a visitor to the line arrives informed of what to expect, the Strathspey Railway does not. While it shows a timetable, the timing of a return trip from Broom Hill is not clear, I was lead to believe I'd have an hour or so to await a return trip. There is no indication on the website or leaflet as to what time the booking office opens, as I found out upon arrival, it is 0945am. The lady working in the booking office during my visit, seemed very curt with her approach and tone, and was seeming to be very overwhelmed by having to oversee arrival of passengers, issuing tickets and serving in the gift shop. Generally though, my encounters with other staff, especially those working in the observation car, was fantastic. The Strathspey Railway, is one of those preserved railways, that if one does not live in the local area, requires a long journey north, I would recommend booking the observation car to make it a memorable trip out after a long journey to get there.
July 2023 by Vikki Helliwell
Great day out !!!My 4 year old loved it.Went in the school holidays. We had a cartridge to ourselves !!!Well worth the moneyStaff very friendly and helpful.
