Mallaig
7 days from
/person
Enquire

The West Highland line

Choose your dates

05 Jan 2025 - 11 Jan 2025

Departing from

London

Travellers & rooms

2 Adults

158 kg CO2

What's included:
  • Transport
  • Accommodation
  • Journey guide with tickets
  • Seat reservations where required or recommended
  • WhatsApp support and disruption replanning

Journey at a glance

Trip overview
  • London

  • Sleeper with cabin

    1 night

  • Glasgow

    2 nights

  • Mallaig

    Stop

  • Fort William

    2 nights

  • Sleeper with cabin

    1 night

  • London


Full itinerary

Journey
TRAIN
1 night
9hrs 52mins
Standard class

LondonGlasgow

A late evening departure from Euston station in London, then an overnight run in the comfort of your private cabin to reach Glasgow for breakfast.
Stay
2 nights
Glasgow

Glasgow

Scotland's largest city, Glasgow has become a thriving cultural hub, known for its live music, comedy and innovative culinary scene as much as for its industrial heritage and important place in Scottish history. As the birthplace of Charles Rennie Mackintosh it's a magnet for architecture and design enthusiasts, but even beyond his creative constructions, the city's buildings are eye-catching. 

Where you could stay2 nights

Malmaison Glasgow

Luxury rooms with comfortable interiors provide the perfect base from which to discover the city. The vaulted basement restaurant and stylish bar are a great place to relax after a day's exploring.

Find out more

Change your room

Recommendations

  • Enjoy the oasis of calm and quiet at Pollok Country Park. With immaculate manicured gardens, wide fields, a peaceful river and even Highland cows and Clydesdale horses, it's the perfect place to enjoy the countryside - you'd never guess the city centre was just 15 minutes away.

  • Visit Glasgow's Botanic Gardens, which since 1841 have flourished with exotic flora and fauna. The domed and teak glasshouses (open in the afternoons only) are impressive works of architecture filled with botanical history and tropical plants.
  • Make the short bus ride to the Burrell Collection and uncover the art collection of Sir William Burrell and Constance, Lady Burrell, surrounded by the beautiful Pollok Country Park.
Journey
TRAIN
08:21 - 13:38
5hrs 21mins
Standard class

GlasgowMallaig

Join the West Highland Line west from Glasgow to the fishing village of Mallaig, travelling past Loch Lomond through the Trossachs National Park. You'll trace the rails through the land of lochs as far as Crianlarich, then continue along the northern branch into the wilds of Rannoch Moor. Here, the line floats over peat bog-land surrounded by mountains on all sides. You'll carry on, over the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct and to the coast.
Stop
Mallaig

Mallaig

A charming fishing port at the end of the 'road to the Isles', Mallaig is the main ferry hub for access to the Small Isles and Outer Hebrides. It's a lively little town overlooking the Sound of Sleat, with independent shops, lovely walks and is a short hop from some spectacular beaches.

Recommendations

  • Make the journey across Loch Nevis to The Old Forge, one of Scotland's few community-owned pubs. The former smiddy's forge is only reachable by an 18-mile hike over munros or a 7-mile boat trip, but you'll be rewarded with an exceptional welcome and fantastic local ales.

  • Find out more about the history and culture of the area at Mallaig Heritage Centre. Having experienced the scenic train journey here, it's especially interesting to learn more about how the Fort William–Mallaig railway line came into being.

  • Do a circular walk around Mallaig that offers great views over the harbour and across Loch Nevis to Knoydart.

Journey
TRAIN
16:05 - 17:28
1hrs 22mins
Standard class

MallaigFort William

Take the ScotRail train inland to Fort William, tracing the rails of the iconic West Highland Line.
Stay
2 nights
Fort William

Fort William

Known as the outdoor capital of Scotland, Fort William sits on the shores of Loch Linnhe and is surrounded by spectacular Highlands scenery. It's a fun, lively town, and with easy access to Ben Nevis and other Munros (Scottish mountains), it makes a great base for hiking or climbing.

Where you could stay2 nights

Glenlochy Nevis Bridge Apartments

Situated within private grounds on the banks of the River Nevis, the Glenlochy Nevis Bridge Apartments are a 10-minute walk from the centre of Fort Williams and offer fully-equipped, self-catering apartments. 

Find out more

Change your room

Recommendations

  • Discover the history of the region at the West Highlands Museum. The collection contains artefacts relating to such luminaries as Bonnie Prince Charlie, and plenty of information about the Jacobite cause and campaign.

  • Check out Fort William's dedicated vegan café The Wildcat for lunch or visit one of the other great restaurants serving vegan food. To make a day of it, hike Ben Nevis and then enjoy one of the plant-based options from Glen Nevis at the base of the mountain.

  • Take a brisk dip in a loch, the sea or a secluded fairy pool and emerge refreshed. Have a wee dram in the evening to warm you up.
Journey
TRAIN
19:50 - 08:00
1 night
11hrs 59mins
Standard class

Fort WilliamLondon

The journey starts with an evening crossing of Rannoch Moor. If it’s still light, enjoy a feast of fine scenery then snooze your way south in a comfortable private sleeping cabin to reach London in time for breakfast.

Before you book

Please make sure that you're happy with your trip before booking, as fees apply to changes made after booking. Check our FAQs for more information. To make changes to this trip before you book, please email hello@byway.travel