Notes:  Inverness and the north of Scotland was reached first by way of Aberdeen, and then subsequently by a slightly more direct route by way of Forres. The line north to Wick and Thurso was built only with the personal support of the Dukes of Sutherland and Caithness behind it, and in common with many rural lines, was partly built to alleviate social deprivation in the area, rather than just on the expectation of profit. The Oban line was originally connected to the Stirling line via Callander, the line from Glasgow to Mallaig via Fort William crossing it at Tyndrum. This latter line, along with the Aviemore cutoff to Inverness, brought major railway building in Scotland to a close.