The Act of Parliament was passed on 22 July 1861, with the line being opened between Dunkeld and Pitlochry on 1 June 1863, between Forres and Aviemore on 3 August 1863 and the final section to Aviemore and Pitlochry on 9 September 1863. The opening offered a great saving of time and money in travelling to and from the north of Scotland, with journey times from Inverness to Perth in 6 hours, Edinburgh or Glasgow in 8½ hours, and London in 18 hours without a change of carriage.