At 03:09, you can see the shortest street in the world.
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
I had to google this and god I so wish I’d have known that before! Nice one mainline 👏👏 appreciate the factoid PINNED!! 🫶
@jameswyse82506 ай бұрын
Yes I remember that, there's a hotel on the corner..
@shanewaterman41253 ай бұрын
Thanks for that! You've just given me a question for a quiz night I'm putting together 👍
@steve-marsh Жыл бұрын
A great video, but I'm with you - train every time!
@SoldierCivilWarYT Жыл бұрын
First to like :)
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
Cheers Steve, yep the train was such a memorable journey. I cannot wait to do it again - winter I reckon and onwards to Stromness and beyond!!
@WVislandia Жыл бұрын
I did this trip years ago - took the train up and went to Orkney for the folk festival there, but took the bus back to Inverness. I think when you have good weather like I did for the bus journey, the scenery is so memorable that you can't fault it. I remember skies so clear that you could oil platforms out in the North Sea, but sadly you didn't get such clear weather for your journey, not your fault. And we all know that the weather is the weather, so we have no real control over it. I loved 'being on the bus with you' as it did remind me of some of the places it passes through. Thanks for sharing this. You did such an informative chat about the bus seat and surrounds.
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
Thanks very much. You’re right about the weather. The day before I’d travelled up on the train and had beautiful weather and it definitely has a bearing on the travel experience. I still prefer the train but it was nice to see some of the places it doesn’t reach. 😊👍
@davedodi5376 Жыл бұрын
My dad lived in wick for 20 years (moved up from London when he retired) I used to go up for Christmas on overnight coach from London Victoria to Inverness 12 hours 😱horrific. Then a 3 and half hour coach to wick which I always enjoyed. I’ve done that train trip a few times as well. Great videos you put out and this bought back some great memories. Thanks👍
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
Hi Dave, many thanks for the kind words and I’m glad it brought back some good memories for you 😊👍
@CherylSteele-rt8dj Жыл бұрын
I agree!
@CornishGardenTeam5 ай бұрын
Train every time on this route, ditto Fort William to Glasgow, the only exception perhaps in mid-winter darkness, maybe.
@CherylSteele-rt8dj Жыл бұрын
A beautiful trip, thank you. When people pushed in front of my late husband, he used to jump backwards, bow and say "No - after YOU Sir/Madam, I'm so sorry I was in your way!" The embarrassment was wonderful to watch! Great film. 😊
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
lol, thanks Cheryl, I must try that next time 😊
@adamdennison8621 Жыл бұрын
Great ride up in a very special place in Scotland. Travelled there many times as played golf at Royal Dornoch on numerous occasions. Beautiful and picturesque and people are normally very kind and welcoming. Thank you for the video Sir!
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
Cheers Adam. I really liked it. I could spend ages up there really, inland and coast, just so much to see. 😊👍
@Traveller69 Жыл бұрын
Interesting opinion on a trip I take regularly. A few things to clarify which you raised. Yes, the Bridge Street stop in Wick is badly situated to the point of being ridiculous. The justification was 2 years ago that the new buses assigned to the route were too big for the actual bus station in Wick! They couldnt access the corners into and out of it (even though it is just a bus shelter, it is at least out of the wind that howls across that bridge in winter). Many locals choose to get on the bus a few hundred yards further south along the same road, where there are two further stops within the town boundary that are more sheltered generally speaking and both also have actual shelters. As you found out with your 2013 bus, the much vaunted new X99 buses supposedly with WI-FI didnt last long but these ones remain an upgrade on the previous double decker coach style units that plied this route beforehand. The service is an X , but only after Dornoch is when it doesn't stop at all. Other local services to and from Inverness offer options then. So it is as you noted, a full request service north of Dornoch. Whilst it is run on Stagecoach livery, last year, Scottish Citylink released an App called myCitylink for advance purchases. The X99 route is also included on this. An advance single is £21.60 but you can get an advance return often available even the day before for £28.10 which is only 10p more than the trains advance fares. You can also change days of travel, save frequent journeys and obtain partial refunds if your plans change. So it is very handy. As a local to the Highlands who travels to and from Wick and no doubt like Wick residents too, the Georgemas Junction issue and cutting inland at Golspie means that yes, whilst the train certainly is a lovely run, it is often 4hrs and 25 minutes as against 2hrs and 50 mins for the X99. The Scotrail service is also notoriously unreliable, be it mechanically or staff shortages which mean you end up on a replacement bus service anyway. This happened to me 3 trips on the bounce in 2021 and I said 'never again'. The flipside is that there are also a lot of accidents on the A9 and one prang can add hours to a journey with little or no alternative routes. The joys of rural living everywhere I suppose but the X99 remains a no brainer for locals just wanting to get from A to B. Oh and on a lighter note to end, Madge also married Film Director Guy Ritchie in Dornoch. Skibo Castle is a ultra high end hotel nearby and many an A lister is to be spotted in Dornoch to this day. Keep em peeled folks and keep up the good work yourself. 👍🏼🏴
@janemoney5144 Жыл бұрын
Also, for oldies like me, it's free.
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
Hi and many thanks for this interesting comment - a great read and valuable insight into what it’s like living up there and using public transport. I’ve seen a few similar comments about the train and yes, from the perspective of a tourist (which obviously I am) it’s great but practically speaking, better fares (if you know what you’re doing), frequency and reliability on the bus. I will do the train again, maybe in winter and probably connect through to Stromness on the ferry and beyond. Maybe get off somewhere like Forsinard too and have a look around. Thanks again for the reply - much appreciated 😊👍
@AngusMacKinnon-xm5ko Жыл бұрын
Hello LMT. Nice to see you up in my part of the country. As soon as you got close to Inverness, I saw the rain, and it reminded me that NOTHING has changed LOLOL!!! WE used to say that if and whenever we felt a bit of heat and saw something YELLOW in the sky; we referred to it as that sometime visible UFO that the Sassunach's refer to as the Sun. The question we ask is: "WHAT IS THE SUN". Can you live on it? Frankly, I prefer the train. I used to get the Train (The Highland Chieftain) from Kings Cross to Inverness, leaving KC at around 1200 hours and arriving at Inverness at around 2020 hours. The Inverness rain soaked right through my leather hat and DRI AZA BONE overcoat that is supposed to be waterproof. Waterproof in all countries throughout the world except INVERNESS 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
Hi Angus, I’ve had plenty of rain in Inverness in the past so maybe I was due a bit of good fortune going up on the train. Yes it was a bit different coming back but all-in-all, can’t complain 😊👍
@TravelSignal Жыл бұрын
Agree that I'd prefer the train, but still some beautiful coastal views. Great video as usual!
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
Cheers mate, the train was so memorable- it is hard to beat tbh!
@chrisbutton48611 ай бұрын
I done This route from thurso to Inverness for Edinburgh coaches on Sunday 2016,I fur the train with it nice scenery
@LetsMakeaTrip9 ай бұрын
Yes I agree Chris, the train has much better scenery.
@michaelformaini7053 Жыл бұрын
Watched this one to check out the coastal bit south to Helmsdale. Brrr! What a weather contrast to your train trip to Thurso. A typical Scottish summer's day some would say. Yes, I recognised where you were on Bridge Street waiting for the coach. I had a late lunch snack at the fish'n'chips shop just down the road on my long day return rail trip back in Sept.2018. I caught the early morning train from Inverness to Dunrobin Castle, then a lunch time train from there to Thurso and Wick, had my stroll down to the fish'n'chippery, then caught the afternoon train back to Inverness (bouncing in and out of Thurso again). No on board trolley that day! Now I must check out your coverage of the Leeds to Whitby coachliner as I did this trip from York on my day out to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (returned to York from Pickering on the coachliner). Glad I stumbled upon your channel today.🙂🙂🙂
@davidoliver1169 Жыл бұрын
Hi Mark. Another great cheery video from you. Yes like you, although I drive, I equally take public buses on a regular basis and am always somewhat irritated by people who think its OK to push in, in front of people who may have been standing patiently for ages waiting but hey-ho that's life. Anyway, I wish you a nice week ahead and some sunshine I hope. Cheers
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
Cheers David, yep have a good week yourself sir (I’ve got 3 flights, 4 buses, 6 trains and a ferry this week!). The queue thing we’ll, yeh, it’s not going to ruin my life 😂 people are people aren’t they 👍
@douglasburton1472 Жыл бұрын
Stagecoach WiFi has been off since start of pandemic. 🎸🥃🤘
@cryzcryz2345 Жыл бұрын
Thank you for this video!
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
You are so welcome!
@paul85439 Жыл бұрын
Recently did John O Groats to Lands End with my son via public transport.Nice to see Wick again, heritage museum there is great.
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
Awesome Paul! 👍
@mikecaird5554 Жыл бұрын
As part of a coach holiday to Inverness a few years ago, we caught the train back from Wick to Golspie. I’ll take everyone’s word about the scenery. We could hardly see it as the windows were filthy.
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
Dirty windows on the train are a thing unfortunately. I take matters into my own hands these days and clean the bit I’m sitting at! Incidentally, the station house at Golspie is currently up for sale.
@tonybennett9964 Жыл бұрын
That's Wickers for you "that's their bus "so they can push in
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
Haha, I wouldn’t like to say!
@iankemp1131 Жыл бұрын
Very interesting to see this. I travelled the Far North line many times, particularly when I worked at Dounreay in summer 1981, and cycled the coast between Helmsdale and Wick, Berriedale (1 in 6) being a shock going down as well as up! Have never seen Dornoch though. Nice to see these shots. Makes me think I would like to do the round trip, by train one way and bus the other, to see the different views. The time difference is presumably much greater for Wick-Inverness than for Thurso-Inverness as the train is slower (4 hr 12 to 4 hr 32 min) and the bus quicker (looks like less than 3 hours). A few years ago I did the fascinating trips from Inverness to Durness (daily, takes all day!) and Durness to Thurso (minibus, once every 2 weeks on Saturdays only!)
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
Fantastic Ian, you’ve given me a couple of ideas there. The Durness one, another KZbinr Tim’s Travels did this recently and it looked pretty good. Certainly quite remote and I’ve actually been to Durness before (Smoo Cave) and drove across the top to John O’Groats. A long time ago but some great memories 😊👍
@iankemp1131 Жыл бұрын
@@LetsMakeaTrip Yes, it's an absolutely fascinating area. I stayed in the Youth Hostel at Durness which is close to Smoo Cave. The bus services to Durness seem to have changed in recent years but are still going with some different routes. Another intriguing place is Cape Wrath which is at the end of an isolated road that can only be reached by ferry! But there is a minibus on the other side.
@Zuuu40 Жыл бұрын
Another awesome video I thought it would be a actual bus but it was a coach
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
Cheers mate, appreciate the support as always 😊👍
@Zuuu40 Жыл бұрын
@@LetsMakeaTrip no worries
@kevinellis8869 Жыл бұрын
Another good trip, the room in the Travelodge looked familiar (from our stay last year to do the Strathspey Railway) :)
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
Cheers Kevin, yep a very handy, central place to stay in Inverness (I may do a review of it one day 😉).
@mikepaolo3169 Жыл бұрын
As previously mentioned on one of your vids, I would get free travel as I work for Stagecoach & I could actually travel from my house in Stretford Manchester to Thurso using my pass for free..sadly I've not done it yet. Did do Glasgow to Stretford using my pass in 2019....was a long trip but FREE🤣🤣
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
Mike, you need a KZbin channel (if you don’t already have one). You could make some great ‘bus challenge’ videos with that free pass. I’d watch them! 😊👍
@SteveSmith-67 Жыл бұрын
The thing with your comparison between the bus and the train is the timings, the train and the bus only run a few times a day so if you need to be in Inverness or anywhere else en route by a given time there may only be one choice. I have travelled in this area by both bus and train a fair bit in both directions and both the bus and train are a lifeline and also compliment each other as you say the bus literally does stop anywhere. The Wi-Fi issue I think is down to stagecoach and citylink both being part of the same group or were at some time.
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
Cheers Steve, yep good point there about the timings. It’s nice to be able to travel on both as a tourist but if you need to get to work by a certain time. Mind you, I can think of worse commutes 😂Thanks for the comment 😊👍
@iainjones5002 Жыл бұрын
Mark, yet another informative trip. though the last time I was on it, was as a lad, with my parents as we drove up from Edinburgh to Thurso on holiday; then the A9 didn't have the benefit of the bridges you mentioned and overall, it took for ever (or so it seemed!), but it is a superbly picturesque route. The vehicle you were in was a COACH, not a BUS; there is a difference. Buses generally convey passengers on short routes radiating from and around towns, whilst Coaches usually work longer distance services between towns and cities, often with larger volumes of passengers. Your comment about the lack of WIFI on board was probably down to lack of signal availability. I used to work in the Highlands 7 years ago, where even achieving WiFi signals on my phone was adequate at best at certain times of the day or night, so getting the same service on a moving vehicle as it passes in and out of ranges of technical infrastructure can make reception on devices patchy, if at all. As for your comment about how quickly the coach departed after you disembarked at Farraline Bus Station in Inverness was probably down to a few factors. One, the available space in the Bus Station is limited because with quite a few services running both out of town into regional towns, plus longer Express routes to other towns and cities across Scotland, layover space isn't available. Secondly, no doubt, the driver was making his way to Stagecoach's Depot less than a mile away. The coach could have been operated from their Thurso Depot that day, thus the driver would have to take his legal break and maybe have the coach refueled, or if from the Inverness Depot, it would possibly be garaged there until required for its next duty. Sorry to criticise, but as a Scot myself, the descriptions of parts of the route such as Dornoch or anything ending with ..och, aren't pronounced as ...ock. But we'll forgive you this once, but please don't do it again, or we won't let you back across the Border ever again!! 😂
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
Cheers Iain, many thanks for the info. I do struggle with these long distance bus/coach definitions and this service seemed to stop everywhere as opposed to your typical Nat Ex, Flix etc that have fixed stops. And of course I paid on the bus (sorry coach)! But I defer to people like yourself who know much more than me. I do try with the pronouncing of stuff but yep, I admit I get it wrong sometimes. I’ll live with that but thanks for the tips - will take it on board otherwise, like you say, I’ll risk being chased out of the country next time I’m up there! Cheers mate 👍😊
@John-ex4gj Жыл бұрын
Great report as usual stayed in that travelodge a couple of times good Wetherspoons nearby also! Take care
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
Cheers John and thanks very much for the comment 😊👍
@margaretpickbourn2647 Жыл бұрын
People are rude. I got so fed up of people pushing in, I now say excuse me the end of the queue is that way, I was here first 🙄
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
I know Margaret. Just a thing isn’t it, not the end of the world or anything but I don’t think people have any concept of the people around them anymore. Bubble mentality.
@SoldierCivilWarYT Жыл бұрын
True I swear when I'm at school in the line people just push infront of me and are like "THANK YOU" like bro shut up lol I didn't let you infront of me like I get it but tbh I'm used to it now and just don't really care anymore
@neilcoram3495 Жыл бұрын
Interesting video but to be honest i think i would take the train. I wasn't expecting the coach trip to be 23 quid.😮
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
Yes it did eat into my profit margin a bit!!
@enricomonti156 Жыл бұрын
Its an extremely scenic service. Indeed it is true how appalling people can sometimes behave. Lately I had a Flixbus trip and a couple of long distance train services passing through lakes and to be fair, even refreshments can be great, as to my knowledge, the X99 is somewhar a long distance route
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
Yep, I just think all-in-all, it’s got to be the train for me (especially with the trolley service if it’s available). Cheers mate 😊
@JackSullivan101 Жыл бұрын
Hi I think you should try the 700 bus route from Portsmouth to Brighton. The route is done in 3 journeys meaning you would have to change twice at Chichester and Littlehampton. I think you’d like it.
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
Hi Jack, I’ll add this to my list mate. It’s probably going to be next year now by the time I get round to it but thanks for the info and the comment. Cheers 😊👍
@keithwatkins7908 Жыл бұрын
I would prefer to catch the train, but both journeys had wonderful scenery. Maybe the queue jumpers did not know what was the back of the queue ....lol. I live in the Philippines, it's generally a free for all catching public transport, whoever moves the quickest! Thanks for another excellent video showing us a beautiful Scotland.
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
Cheers Keith, yeh it’s not going to ruin my life the queue thing 😂 I had a great time overall on this trip and pleased to be sharing it with others on here. Thanks mate 😊👍
@rakem64 Жыл бұрын
ohhhh no, the train is just so boring from wick to inverness, so long aswell, theres really nothing to see, where as on the bus theres more hills and alot more to see
@HTAaB202410 ай бұрын
Amazing 😄
@LetsMakeaTrip10 ай бұрын
Thank you! Cheers!
@alanshelly7068 Жыл бұрын
A very good Tuesday evening Mark from Alan in Lowestoft and a awesome video buddy
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
Good evening Alan 😊👍
@paulhellander2791 Жыл бұрын
Always prefer the train. Really good to see how the bus does it though.
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
Cheers Paul and thanks, as ever, for the support 😊👍
@mikedown1250 Жыл бұрын
awesome...it's been a while. looking forward to this.
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
Cheers Mike. Quite a few bus/coach videos coming up mate. Hope you enjoyed it 😊👍
@garyanderson9644 Жыл бұрын
Another great video mark, yeah I think it's nice to to go a different way, as you say, you see something different by bus , Dispite rude people occasionally, you feel like tripping them up 😂 Once again many thanks 👍👍👍.
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
Cheers Gary, yep the bus has it’s advantages and getting to some of those lovely villages between Helmsdale and Wick - you need the bus don’t you 👍
@Timstravels01 Жыл бұрын
Delighted to watch your X99 review. It’s undoubtedly the more direct route to and from Caithness but it’s the train for me. Dornoch is a very pleasant place, well worth another look if you get the chance.
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
Cheers mate. Yep, those bridges do help these days. I’ll try and get back to Dornoch and make sure I pronounce it properly (I’ve already been told off a couple of times for getting the ending wrong 🙄).
@Timstravels01 Жыл бұрын
@@LetsMakeaTrip 😂 Scottish place name pronunciations are a minefield.
@jameswyse82506 ай бұрын
I thought we British were good at queuing but always somebody spoils it. I did this journey from Thurso last August.
@LetsMakeaTrip6 ай бұрын
Yes there’s always someone. It is a lovely journey though I hope you thought the same 😊👍
@montystelevision3238 Жыл бұрын
I’d deffo need a loo on a long bus trip like that.
@aodhantravels123 Жыл бұрын
Great trip report and a journey on my long bucket list to do. Unfortunately with people queue jumping lines it also happens in England where people just randomly turn up out of nowhere and jump the queue for certain seats on a bus
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
Cheers mate, yep think it’s getting worse that bubble mentality but there you go. Maybe I’m just a miserable old bugger 😂
@pontecarlo4354 Жыл бұрын
Fantastic views of the North Sea thank you.
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
Cheers, yep definitely recommend sitting on the ‘coastal side’ whichever direction you’re travelling. Some lovely views 😊👍
@leeallen1407 Жыл бұрын
As a driver if i see someone do that and jump the queue i remind them the other people were here first , join the back of the line there are plenty of seats , happens a lot on National express , not so much on Megabus i have noticed
@philbailey4605 Жыл бұрын
This coach was new to Stagecoach Glasgow for the Citylink 900 service. Thats possibly why the wifi is showing as Citylink.
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
Hi Phil, cheers for the explanation. Much appreciated 😊👍
@johnridpeath1728 Жыл бұрын
Great vid m8
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
Cheers John
@janemoney5144 Жыл бұрын
The buses around here have a fairly flexible idea of where they are going to stop in relation to any bus stop, so it can be quite difficult to determine which part of the queue you should stand in. (There is a stop in central Thurso where the timetable directs you to one spot, the bus stop is at another, and the bus actually stops at a third). Fortunately, the buses aren't crowded, and the natives are also flexible.
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
Yep, I think you need to be flexible in these kind of rural areas. It’s the same in some parts of Shropshire too 👍
@martinholland3938 Жыл бұрын
Great video surprised at the cost though are not all busses £2 now
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
Cheers Martin. The £2 is just for England unfortunately.
@kevanhubbard9673 Жыл бұрын
It's a very scenic route and when I did it circa about 1995 it was run by Scottish Citylink.I took the train up and got the bus back.Rapsons were another big company around northern Scotland and the Orkneys but someone took them over.I'd guess under the state owned Scottish Bus Company it either came under the Northern or Highland subsidiaries but I'm not up on my pre deregulation Scottish buses to know which!
@iainjones5002 Жыл бұрын
Rapsons were eventually taken over by Stagecoach Group in the early 2000's after being in different ownership within other bus groups.
@kerrys5540 Жыл бұрын
I think its nice to do both ..train one way and bus. On the bus you see more life ..little villages and towns. Regarding the comments on place names.. blimey.. I would say Doornock in the first instance. You cant look up every place name for correct pronunciation. Anyway its all to do with local dialect. Im sure if a Scottish person visited Shropshire there would be variances. Its like Shrews ..bury and Shrows..bury😅😅😅😅. Keep doing what you do..i enjoy travelling with you 😘
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
Thanks Kerry. I will always get a few comments about pronunciation which is fine and it all helps with the engagement factor! I do take it on board and try my best but I have to fit this in in my spare time, it’s not my job and I have other stuff going on in my life. It’s a lot of work producing these videos and I don’t have a team of people researching and editing. It’s just me and Wikipedia etc 😂 You’re right, I could get really pedantic about my local area but you know, I make allowances as I understand not everyone’s lived in Shropshire for 40 years. It’s just not that big a deal really (for me anyway) and if it’s too much for some well, there’s always the unsub button. I’ll live with the consequences 😂 Cheers mate, appreciate the support 🫶
@progster999 Жыл бұрын
This one is on my to-do list. Probably as a part of Glasgow to Orkneys by bus.
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
That would be an epic trip. I wish you all the best and please let me know how you get on. Would make a great video mate. 👍
@robertlockwood3540 Жыл бұрын
Dornoch is home to Scotland's best Haggis.
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
Next time I’m there Robert……
@sheilam4525 Жыл бұрын
Nice journey, Mark. Wick looks like a lovely wee place! 😊
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
Hi Sheila, yes Wick did look nice. Not sure which I prefer thinking back, Wick or Thurso. Both have their positives/negatives I guess.
@Aidankiwi Жыл бұрын
@@LetsMakeaTrip I used to work beside a guy from Thurso... big rivalry between the two towns. He used to refer to folks from Wick as 'Dirty Weekers'. He eventually told me that 'Weekers' referred to residents of Thurso as 'Tea-in -a-pots' as apparently they are too poor or thrifty to buy teacups and drink their tea straight out of the pot.according
@janettesinclair6279 Жыл бұрын
@@LetsMakeaTrip At the bus stop on Bridge Street you were standing just about 20 yards from the famous "Shortest Street in the World" (Guinness Book of World Records).
@willfal6527 Жыл бұрын
Dirty Wickers but pronounced as you've type'd it, and Tea-na-bowla or Tea-na-bowlie for thurso. There is no rivalry anymore@@Aidankiwi
@simonwhitlock9189 Жыл бұрын
Nice trip with pleasant scenery but for me it would be the train every time, have to agree with you re the people queue jumping which is made worse for anyone trying to get off and get past these rude folk, good manners cost nothing. Hope all is good with you and look forward to seeing your next video, stay safe and cheers.
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
Cheers Simon, yep they’re in their own little world I think some of these people. Totally oblivious I suspect 😂
@jackmaher9296 Жыл бұрын
Great video as always . People who jump queues really p me off
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
Cheers Jack. Yep, totally oblivious I think some people 👍
@PaulGodfrey Жыл бұрын
Might try the bus after the video. Have bashed the train before and its excellent. Not keen on bus stops that only locals and Google know about though
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
There’s a couple of places I’d like to get to - Dunbeath & Berriedale easy by bus. I should’ve looked into whether you can get a day ranger ticket tbh, that may have been an option?
@dazzlingdaz187 Жыл бұрын
Great video, Mark. Surprised this service is operating, given that its clear that the train is a better option, not just on price and scenery but also the trolley service. Still, its better than Berry's Coaches😂
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
It is better than Berry’s yes! It’s a public service isn’t it I guess but not many people did the whole journey. Maybe the local buses only are the answer to that.
@dlou88 Жыл бұрын
@@LetsMakeaTrip I'm from Caithness and yes you are correct. Although people do use the bus for the full journey to Inverness, especially the over 60s because of the free bus pass, a lot of people use it for more local journeys, particularly to/from places that don't have easy access to the railway.
@iankemp1131 Жыл бұрын
The time difference must have an effect though. Not so big from Thurso, but can be an hour and a half shorter on the bus from Wick. Each way. The first bus in the morning leaves Wick 40 minutes after the train but reaches Inverness 45 minutes before it. Also, looks like a single bus ticket is £21 but a return is £24, which is cheaper than two advance singles on the train (£28).
@janemoney5144 Жыл бұрын
No, not necessarily a trolley service and, frankly, if you are tired and want to get home, 3 hours on a coach is more appealing than almost 4.5 hours on a train. Plus, a lot of people who use the bus are seniors with a Scottish bus pass so it is free.
@calebmumby5803 Жыл бұрын
Fantastic route pity was bit more expensive than the train but I've enjoyed it take buddy
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
Cheers Caleb, thanks for the comment 😊👍
@drsteele Жыл бұрын
Did this once back in 2011 and we broke down and ended up in a bus depot somewhere in Tain!
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
That sounds like fun!
@ashleyrobinson4217 Жыл бұрын
I wouldn't have thought that stagecoach service would have had WiFi being only a local operator. My guess is it was an ex CityLink coach that had been cascaded to stagecoach when Citylink got their latest vehicles. Let's not forget tho, what you rode on WAS a coach and NOT a bus. Many of the far north routes cover long distances and as a result coaches are used over buses for comfort. The special orange livery denotes stagecoach 'long distance' services 👍
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
Yes I think it was ex Citylink Ashley looking at other people’s comments. Definition of a coach Vs a bus is always a difficult one on these long distance routes. I asked Citylink once about the Glasgow - Uig route and they said that was a coach but others still argued it was a bus! Personally I don’t mind either way, I’m certainly not an expert but either way, I still enjoyed the trip 😊👍
@oakleycundall Жыл бұрын
Yup there is no intent for there to be WiFi on board none of their busses have it configured as many said its a bi product of the use of busses that have been in service further south
@msm0199 Жыл бұрын
Great video as always Mark - I love seeing reviews of places up here from a non local's perspective (I live about 15mins from Inverness). Have done both journeys - the train was nearly 30 years ago mind you and the bus a good 15+ but made the mistake of sitting right at the back of the bus, not recommended! Think if I was going for a "day trip" I'd probably take the train, especially if I had my wee one but if I was just going from A-B I'd probably bus it, purely due to the time it saves.
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
Hi, thanks so much! I hope I’ve been pronouncing stuff right (well 7/10 maybe). My first time up there although I did drive a Fiat UNO all the way up to Durness once and then across to John O’Groats. Heady days those, drinking half bottles of Blue Nun in a restaurant in Gairloch 😂 I would love to do the train again in the winter with more snow on the ground. That would be awesome and maybe keep going to Scrabster, Stromness, Shetland and back down with Northlink to Aberdeen. Could be a plan that 🤔
@rumwilliam2767 Жыл бұрын
Great content buddy ❤
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
Cheers mate 😊👍
@foreignofficeclub5815 Жыл бұрын
I have family in Lybster. The harbour is lovely, the reat of the village is a bit grey
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
Thanks for the comment. I’ll try and get back one day and visit a few of the villages along the coast. 😊👍
@al6773 Жыл бұрын
Great video as always - thank you 👍
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
Thanks mate, appreciate the comment 😊👍
@NintendoFanboy21 Жыл бұрын
Good video 👍 Can you please review the coastliner 700 down south? Its spilt up in 3 sections! From Portsmouth to Brighton. But the scenery is amazing 🤩
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
I’ve heard about his one - I’ll add it to my list 👍
@NintendoFanboy21 Жыл бұрын
@@LetsMakeaTrip Wooo!! 🎉
@derisleybrittain Жыл бұрын
Excellent ❤❤🥇🥇🥇🚌🚌🚌🚌🚌🚌🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
Thanks Derisley as always 🫶🫶🫶🚌🚌🚌🚌🚌🚌🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴🍻🍻
@malthusXIII-fo3ep Жыл бұрын
Was there a train journey to Wick I missed?
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
There was (I just didn’t video that bit) 😊
@british.bus.spotter Жыл бұрын
You need to do the X46 or X47 from Hull To York
@melvynbuckton6881 Жыл бұрын
With no rail alternative as beeching closed it. It was profitable but you could go via Doncaster much longer. Hull trains started because lner neglected London route.
@british.bus.spotter Жыл бұрын
@@melvynbuckton6881what. The x46 bus route from hull to york. No Doncaster stuff
@leeallen1407 Жыл бұрын
Have you done the Traws cambria
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
I’m possibly doing the T3 Wrexham to Barmouth this week.
@leeallen1407 Жыл бұрын
It is a coach not a bus....It would be heading back to the Stagecoach garage at Inverness , it used to belong to Rapsons until Stagecoach bought them out
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
Cheers Lee. Yep, I keep getting confused with the bus/coach thing and it stops everywhere and you pay the driver so it sounds like a bus but it feels like a coach! Oh well, maybe I’ll get it right eventually 😊👍
@SoldierCivilWarYT Жыл бұрын
@lets make a trip! yeah maybe and speaking about stagecoach there are like a billion of stagecoach buses in the UK the lucky Americans don't need to see them everyday
@oakleycundall Жыл бұрын
Sometimes the route terminates at raigmore hospital rather than the bus terminal so the bus maybe traveling onward to the hospital
@jameswyse82506 ай бұрын
I didn't pay anything as used my Scottish bus pass!!
@LetsMakeaTrip6 ай бұрын
I’ll be doing that in England before long James! 😊
@jameswyse82506 ай бұрын
@LetsMakeaTrip Yes I am allowed to use it to Berwick and Carlisle but I don't think I'll be doing the Carlisle to Edinburgh trip!! Berwick not too bad..2.5hrs..
@peternolan4854 Жыл бұрын
Is there a wheel chair space
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
Hi Peter, I didn’t see one on this particular vehicle. I might be wrong so maybe worth asking Stagecoach directly. Cheers,
@stuartmilerosborne Жыл бұрын
It would be interesting to see if the senior bus pass (65+) is valid - I have been told that with the exception of London it applies countrywide. Also is the two pound flat fare scheme that Stagecoach are participating in - does that apply - any thoughts ....
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
The £2 single fare is just for England. Not sure about the bus pass but I know you can’t use an English bus pass in Wales so I reckon the same would apply.
@shaunflanagan8735 Жыл бұрын
This service actually starts and terminates at Scrabster which is just outside of Thurso. KZbinr Planes,Trains, Everything also rode that bus to Scrabster in one of his past videos.
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
Hi Shaun, I’m aware that some do start from Scrabster, so I had to check the Stagecoach timetable to make sure I got this right. The 09:04 starts from Scrabster (presumably to meet the ferry from Stromness). This one (the 11:50) actually starts from Thurso.
@shaunflanagan8735 Жыл бұрын
@@LetsMakeaTrip that is one trip I'd like to do sometime
@oakleycundall Жыл бұрын
It does not always terminate at Scrabster
@shaunflanagan8735 Жыл бұрын
@@oakleycundall so it alternates then? okay lol
@oakleycundall Жыл бұрын
@@shaunflanagan8735 must be dependant on if there is a linking ferry or not
@RussWWFC Жыл бұрын
This bus not on the £2 capped fare, no?
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
It’s not Russ. Only applies to England unfortunately
@user-tr9kh9pe7w Жыл бұрын
does that not qualify for the 2 pounds fare ?stagecoach service
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
The £2 thing is England only unfortunately.
@dazzlingdaz187 Жыл бұрын
PS How did you find the hotels in Inverness? When i went there the prices were outrageous and they got booked up well in advance
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
Yes I try and book Inverness hotels as soon as I can because of this (Edinburgh too tbh). Best I found was Travelodge right in the city centre. A quick review on its way.
@johnmehaffey9953 Жыл бұрын
A bit irritating is a bit of an understatement its extremely rude and as I’m not the type of person who stands for rudeness I would not let them board the bus in front of all the other passengers, tell the driver that they are pushing in front of everyone and he should tell them to wait their turn
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
I know! If I was local maybe but, as a tourist, I just minded my own business tbh 😂 I didn’t know them but they’re probably well-known in the town, I dunno. But yep, quite irritating.
@thebigquestionpodcast4958 Жыл бұрын
Do you not may by cash
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
Nope, hardly ever carry/use cash in the UK these days.
@melvynbuckton6881 Жыл бұрын
Doesn't wiki or such give pronunciation?
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
It does for most things yes but if someone’s going to pull me up for pronouncing one or two remote Scottish villages wrong well, I’ll live with that. No one’s perfect 😂
@janemoney5144 Жыл бұрын
Lybster ....the y is pronounced like the y in python or psychic.
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
Thanks Jane, apologies for the pronunciation 😊
@Aidankiwi Жыл бұрын
Hi Mark, I generally enjoy your videos - hence my subscription. But oh dear you do need to work a lot to improve your place name pronunciation. There are no such places as "Doorknock" or "Libster", at least not that I'm aware of having despite having lived the first 40 years of my life in Scotland. Lybster in Caithness is pronounced Lie-bster (as in lying or tying) Dornoch is pronounced exactly as it is spelt, Dor-noch using the short 'o' in both syllables and the ch at the the end using the same gutteral sound from the back of the the throat as when (correctly) pronouncing the word 'Loch'. Now I know a lot of folks from down south just cannot grasp or master that last one - if that's the case then maybe you you should stick to text captions rather that butchering place names. Sorry if this comes across as a bit harsh, but bo try and improve on this Mark as it does take the gloss off what are otherwise very good uploads. 100% with you on the rudeness of people queue-jumping. As you recently featured the Far North line (one of the most underrated rail journeys in Britain) I thought i would share with you that until WW2 Lybster had a passenger rail service served by a branch line from Wick.
@LetsMakeaTrip Жыл бұрын
Hi Aidan, many thanks for the sub. I can tell you now, there’s absolutely no way I’ll be reverting to text captions only - I cannot think of anything more boring. You’d be amazed how time-consuming putting these videos together is, on top of trying to hold down a full time job. I do try and research the correct way of pronouncing place names but you know, sometimes I get it wrong, that’s just how things are I guess and if I lose the occasional sub here and there because of it, well, I’ll live with that tbh. Can I also say I’m not from ‘down south’. That implies I live near London or on the south coast (for example) when I’m actually in the Midlands. South of the border would have been a more accurate way of putting it. Cheers for the feedback mate. I’ll take it on board but don’t expect miracles! I do my best in the time I have to do it in. 😊👍
@Aidankiwi Жыл бұрын
@LetsMakeaTrip To a Scotsman...down South refers to anywhere south of Gretna...it's all relative.