ScotRail has announced its Christmas and New Year timetable which includes the last Christmas Eve and Hogmanay trains departing earlier than usual.
On Boxing Day, new services will run between Aberdeen and Edinburgh Waverley, as well as between Arbroath and Edinburgh Waverley.
Extra services and more seats will be added across the country in the run-up to Christmas, with additional late-night weekend services on key routes, alongside longer trains.
Essential work will be carried out on lines over the festive period so ScotRail is asking customers to plan ahead.
On Christmas Eve services will run as normal until about 19:00 when services will begin to wind down.
As in previous years, no trains will run on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
On Boxing Day there will be a revised timetable which will operate the traditional service in the Strathclyde area, but also on routes to and from Perth, Alloa, Dunblane, Dundee, Leven, and between Glasgow and Edinburgh.
The new Boxing Day trains will be:
- 09:51 Arbroath to Edinburgh Waverley
- 11:35 Edinburgh Waverley to Arbroath
- 09:54 Aberdeen to Edinburgh Waverley
- 10:35 Edinburgh Waverley to Aberdeen
A normal service – with the exception of routes undergoing engineering works – will operate between Saturday, 27 December, and Tuesday, 30 December.
A revised timetable will then operate on Friday, 2 January 2026.
No trains will run between Dalmuir and Balloch/Helensburgh Central or between Glasgow Queen Street and Crianlarich between 24 December and 2 January.
This is because a new railway bridge is being installed at Bowling, West Dunbartonshire.
On those same dates, no trains will run between Motherwell and Cumbernauld via Whifflet, Bellshill and Motherwell, or between Kirkwood and Whifflet because of track upgrades in Motherwell.
Glasgow to London Euston services will be affected from 31 December until 15 January as a bridge replacement on the M6 means no trains will run between Preston and Carlisle.
West coast trains will also be affected between Christmas Day and 5 January, when there are no trains between Milton Keynes and Rugby while a worn-out junction is replaced.
Full details of all Christmas and New Year service changes, including the Boxing Day timetable, can be found on the ScotRail website and app.
Mark Ilderton, ScotRail’s service delivery director, said: “The introduction of Boxing Day services to and from Aberdeen for the first time is a real boost for customers, and we’re pleased to be offering more options for travel during one of the busiest times of the year
“Across Scotland’s railway, we’re adding extra services and more seats in the lead up to Christmas and New Year to help customers make the most of the festive season, whether they’re heading to the sales, visiting family, or enjoying a night out.
“With the removal of peak fares, travelling by train offers even better value for money over the holidays, and we’re encouraging everyone to check their journey on the ScotRail app or website before they set off.”
Customers needing assistance can speak to a member of staff at a station, use a Help Point, or get in touch via social media.