Early morning train service from Inverness to Edinburgh and Glasgow introduced

INVERNESS’S links with the central belt are set to be improved with the introduction of new early morning rail links.

From December 12 a new Monday-Saturday connection will leave the Highland capital at 5.36am calling at Carrbridge, Aviemore, Kingussie, Dalwhinnie and Blair Atholl where it will then "become" the existing 7.12am service from that station.

It will reach Edinburgh at around 9.25am and provide a connection to Glasgow at Perth, finally arriving at 9.15am.

Rail commuters will also be able to get into Inverness even earlier than before thanks to a new connection leaving Perth at 5.08am on weekdays and Saturdays, calling at all stations and arriving at its destination just after 8am.

News of the new service has been welcomed by politicians and business groups.

Fergus Ewing, cabinet secretary for rural economy and connectivity, said: "These new services are good news, offering more frequent and timely services that will benefit rail passengers and businesses in Inverness and the surrounding area.

"Good public transport links such as rail are proven to be key drivers of local economies, helping to connect communities and businesses, and opening up areas for trade and investment."

Inverness Chamber of Commerce chief executive Stewart Nicol said: "These are

extremely welcome additions to the rail services serving the Inverness and Highland business community.

"Businesses across the Highlands now have a daily rail service which gets them into the centre of both Glasgow and Edinburgh before 9.30am."

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