Keith and Dufftown Railway
Heritage railway in Moray running vintage trains on an 11-mile line between Dufftown and Keith through whisky country.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The line between Keith and Dufftown opened in 1862, promoted by the Keith and Dufftown Railway Company, and later became part of the Great North of Scotland Railway and, from 1923, the London and North Eastern Railway. Regular passenger trains stopped in May 1968 and freight ended in the early 1980s, although the track stayed in place and occasional excursions used it until 1991.
In 1993 the Keith and Dufftown Railway Association was formed to bring the line back to life as a heritage railway. Since 2001 it has run passenger trains over the full length of the route, which climbs through pine forest to a summit of about 180 metres, passes Loch Park and follows the River Isla before descending to Keith.
The railway is run by volunteers and has its headquarters at Dufftown station, where visitors will find a booking office, the Sidings Cafe and a small museum room. Dufftown calls itself the malt whisky capital of the world, and the railway runs several whisky-themed event weekends as well as seasonal specials such as Santa trains.
Highlights
- Scenic 11-mile heritage line between Dufftown and Keith Town
- Whisky-themed event weekends including the Dram Tram
- Sidings Cafe and museum room at Dufftown station
- Seasonal specials such as ghost trains and Santa trains
- Founded
- 1993
- Operated by
- Keith and Dufftown Railway Association
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £8 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £7Concessions (standard class, single journey) |
| Children & teens | £4free up to age 4 · Children under 16; under 5s travel free. |
| Seniors | –Covered by the concession fare. |
| Groups (10+ people) | –Group discounts are available for 10 or more adults booked in advance, on normal scheduled services only. |
| Families | £18Standard class, single journey. |
| First class single, adult | £10 |
| First class single, child | £6 |
| First class adult with cream tea (1:30pm and 3:30pm trains) | £23Cream teas must be ordered at least 48 hours in advance. |
| Rover ticket (all day, standard class) | £20Only available from the booking office. |
| Part journey to Drummuir or Towiemore, adult | £5 |
| Members single fare | £2.50 |
Fares are for single journeys and online tickets are sold as singles, so a return needs a separate booking. Cycles and dogs travel free. Heritage Railway Association Privilege cards give a discount on normal scheduled services. Special trains are priced as returns and scheduled-service discounts do not apply to them.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Keith Town and Dufftown stations and the Sidings Cafe are wheelchair friendly, with a ramp or level access from the car park. Wheelchair access on the scheduled train is not guaranteed, so visitors should phone on the morning of their visit. A ramp leads from the platform to the guard's compartment. Accessible toilets are on the upper floor at Keith Town and reached from the platform at Dufftown.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 4 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | £18 · Standard class, single journey. |
- Family tours & workshops
Children travel at reduced fares and there are family tickets. Seasonal events include Santa trains and an Easter Bunny weekend.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Keith Town station (bus 10 on the A96)
Keith station on the ScotRail Aberdeen to Inverness line is a 20-30 minute walk from Keith Town station. Bus 10 (Aberdeen to Inverness) stops on the A96 about five minutes from Keith Town station. Bus 36 or 136 from Elgin stops by Dufftown station (roughly hourly on Fridays and Saturdays only).
By car
Parking available
Dufftown station is about a mile north of the town centre on the A941 to Elgin. Both Dufftown and Keith Town have a car park. Keith Town station is on the A96; satnav coordinates 57.543661, -2.955668.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
The Sidings Cafe on the platform at Dufftown serves hot snacks, hot drinks and home bakes. There is a shop at Keith Town station.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
Trains can be chartered and the railway offers train hire and group bookings.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Duty guards on the train can answer questions. There is a driver experience and a schools page on the website. |
