Around the world, train journeys are experiencing a great revival, with travelers realizing they’re a scenic, eco-friendly, and affordable mode of transportation. In Scotland, riders can also snag a discounted rail pass from ScotRail, which can save a third off the price of an already inexpensive journey.

And if you would rather have your train tour planned for you, there are a growing number of companies that will book and curate a rail-based adventure in Scotland for you or a group, like Vacations by Rail.

The most difficult part of your Scottish train travels will be selecting which of these spectacular lines you want to take. Here are five of the best train rides in Scotland—plus, where to stay and what to do along the way.

The decision comes as Lufthansa benefits from unexpectedly high demand on long-haul routes and amid delayed deliveries of Boeing 787s and a yet-unclear 777-9 timeline.

“We have too few large widebodies in the fleet,” Lufthansa Airlines CEO Jens Richter said Feb. 28 on the sidelines of a company event in Berlin. The A350-1000 would help in that regard, though Ritter did not confirm an order was coming given that management still needs board approval. He also did not specify how large the order would be, but Lufthansa typically does not go for subfleets of less than 10 aircraft.

Lufthansa Group CEO Carsten Spohr has made clear in the past that one of his aims is to simplify the fleet structure, but the addition of the A350-1000 at Lufthansa Airlines is making the effort even more difficult. Depending on future demand levels and aircraft delivery streams, the -1000 could accelerate the transition to a more modern fleet and the retirement of four-engined aircraft. But for at least the next several years more complexity is added.

The airline is in the middle of returning up to eight of its A380s to revenue service, a step it had categorically ruled out until recently. Four of the aircraft are to be used in the upcoming summer. They will be based in Munich and initially fly to East Coast destinations, with Boston as the first airport to be served. Washington-Dulles will also become an A380 destination. Boston is currently served with A380s, Washington is a 747-8 route. Whether all eight are returning is still not decided, but likely, given how strongly long-haul demand has returned. Before the pandemic, Lufthansa’s A380 fleet consisted of 14 aircraft, six of which have been sold back to Airbus as part of an earlier deal for more A350-900s.

According to Aviation Week Network’s Fleet Discovery database, Lufthansa also still has a combination of 24 747-400s and -8s in service; three additional aircraft are parked. The airline also has 21 A350-900s, three of which are parked; and 26 A340s, nine of which are parked. Other group airlines have 767s (Austrian), A340s and A330s (Edelweiss), A330s, A340s and 777-300ERs (Swiss) and A330s (Brussels Airlines, Eurowings Discover). ITA Airways, which is in the process of being bought by the group, has A350s and A330neos on order. The airline operates A350s and A330-200s.

Lufthansa Airlines’ order book includes 20 777-9s and 32 787-9s, the first three of which have been delivered. The carrier has also committed to 28 more A350-900s.

According to company sources, Lufthansa had first been considering the A350-1000 as a back-up solution in case the 777-9 would be delayed further beyond 2025. But more recently and given how strong demand is, the thinking has shifted, with management concluding that the airline can operate both types. The 777-9 has about 50 more seats than the A350-1000.

At Lufthansa, the 777-9 has been planned to replace the 747-400. It will ultimately be the airline’s largest aircraft when the 747-8s are phased out, though Lufthansa plans to operate these well into the 2030s.

Photo source: lufthansa

Refurbished and enlarged 

While in Poland, an additional accommodation block has been added in the area previously occupied by STENA NORDICA’s helideck.  We have learned that this will house a new Stena Plus lounge, two cinemas, and a Hygge reclining seat lounge.

STENA NORDICA’s existing public areas have been ripped out and replaced, and the layout adjusted.  NIFS understands that the restaurant footprint has been enlarged and now also occupies the area which previously housed the Met Bar.  A new bar area has been fitted in the space previously occupied by reclining seats behind guest services.  STENA NORDICA‘s new living room lounge is housed in the space previously used by Stena Plus on the starboard side of the ship, and the shop opposite has been enlarged into the space previously occupied by the children’s play area. As with STENA EUROPE, a range of different passenger cabins will be available to book on STENA NORDICA.

This refit work will bring STENA NORDICA’s passenger facilities up to the high standards on the rest of the Irish Sea fleet, while also providing the Fishguard route with more modern tonnage. The transfer of STENA NORDICA to Rosslare this summer will coincide with the introduction of the cruiseferry STENA VISION as a second ship on the Rosslare – Cherbourg route ahead of the summer peak in June.

photo source: stenaline.pl

P&O PIONEER is designed to accommodate 1,500 passengers and has over 10,000 square metres of passenger space.  One of the standout features is the large glass areas either side of the ship. These span two full decks, flooding the passenger spaces with natural light.  The new ferry is expected to enter service on the Calais service ahead of the summer season.

At present, P&O PIONEER is the world’s largest double-ended ferry, and carries one of the largest battery installations ever fitted to a ship.  In a first for cross-channel service, the vessel has been designed without the need to turn around in port, saving time and fuel.

40% Less Fuel

P&O Ferries intends that P&O PIONEER will operate entirely on battery power when manoeuvring in port.  The batteries, which have a capacity of up to 8.8 megawatt hours, will be recharged by the ferry’s four Wärtsilä diesel engines during passage.  P&O Ferries estimates that in service P&O PIONEER will use 40% less fuel than its existing cross channel ferries.

However, P&O PIONEER has been designed to be converted to plug-in all battery operation once charging facilities become available in Dover and Calais.  This would eliminate the need for the four main engines, which would be replaced with more battery packs, and make the vessel zero-emission.

In another first for an English channel ferry, propulsion will be provided by four ABB-supplied electrically powered azipods.   These should give the vessel unrivalled manoeuvrability and remove the need for bow or stern thrusters and rudders as each pod can be independently rotated 360 degrees.  P&O PIONEER will also be the first Dover – Calais ferry to be fitted with two pairs of stabiliser fins, with a different pair being deployed depending on the direction of travel.

Later this year, P&O Ferries is expected to take delivery of P&O PIONEER’s sister-ship, P&O LIBERTE.  The pair represent an investment of €260m by the Dubai-owned but Dover-based company and will replace PRIDE OF CANTERBURY and PRIDE OF KENT in service.

P&O Ferries is expected to dispose of the PRIDE OF CANTERBURY, PRIDE OF KENT and already idle PRIDE OF BURGUNDY.

P&O Pioneer At A Glance