Walking Scotland's Lost Railways

Walking Scotland’s Lost Railways by Robin Howie and John McGregor is a richly illustrated walking guide and Scottish railway history book exploring the country’s abandoned, dismantled, and repurposed railway lines. Combining transport heritage, industrial archaeology and outdoor walking routes it reveals how former railways that once connected towns, villages and remote landscapes now offer some of the most fascinating heritage walks in Scotland.

Across hundreds of miles of 'dismantled railways' the book guides readers along preserved trackbeds, converted cycleways, and overgrown yet walkable routes. Many routes still feature striking railway archaeology, including bridges, tunnels, cuttings, embankments and disused stations that continue to shape Scotland’s landscapes.

Walking Scotland’s Lost Railways also brings Scotland’s industrial past vividly to life. It traces the evolution of the railway age - from early wagonways and steam locomotion - to fierce Victorian railway competition and the dramatic impact of the Beeching cuts of the 1960s.

The book also reflects on Scotland’s modern railway revival, including reopened stations and major projects such as the Borders Railway between Edinburgh and Tweedbank, highlighting renewed interest in sustainable transport and regional connectivity.

Perfect for railway enthusiasts, walkers, cyclists, and readers interested in Scottish history, industrial heritage and countryside exploration, this guide offers inspiring walking routes across Scotland’s lost railways. Ideal for an afternoon stroll, a day walk, or a weekend adventure.