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Mallaig
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The Highlands & Hogwarts route via sleeper train

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138 kg CO2
What's included:
  • Transport
  • Accommodation
  • Journey guide with tickets
  • WhatsApp support
  • Disruption replanning

Journey at a glance

Trip overview

  • London

  • Sleeper with cabin

    1 night

  • Fort William

    1 night

  • Mallaig

    Stop

  • Inverness

    1 night

  • Sleeper with cabin

    1 night

  • London

Full itinerary

Journey
1 night
12hrs 42mins
Standard class

LondonFort William

Slip into your private sleeper cabin and enjoy an overnight journey from London to Fort William. The last two hours offer a feast of fine scenery as the train crosses Rannoch Moor, then drops down into Glen Spean to reach Fort William.
Stay
1 night
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.

The Garrison

Where you could stay1 night

The Garrison

Byway favourite
The trendy hotel and former police station has colourful rooms and beautiful loch views; you could even spend the night in an old cell (let us know if you'd like to!).

Find out more

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.

  • Lochaber Geopark boasts some amazing geology, with the UK’s highest mountains, deepest lochs and most stunning natural scenery.

Journey
1hrs 22mins
Standard class

Fort WilliamMallaig

Travel along the spectacular route that takes you over the 21-arched Glenfinnan viaduct to Mallaig - the iconic journey to Hogwarts from the Harry Potter films. You can travel on the Jacobite Steam Train (aka the Hogwarts Express) if available.
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

  • 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.

  • 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.

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

Journey
1hrs 22mins
Standard class

MallaigFort William

Take the ScotRail train inland to Fort William, tracing the rails of the iconic West Highland Line.
Journey
2hrs 5mins
Standard class

Fort WilliamInverness

A fabulous bus journey running the length of Scotlandโ€™s Great Glen, paralleling Loch Ness for a good part of the way. Look out for Urquhart Castle, the perfect spot to break your journey and catch the spirit of these Highland landscapes.
Stay
1 night
Inverness

Inverness

Inverness enjoys a fine setting by the River Ness, with Loch Ness and its alleged monster well away to the southwest. The graceful city is home to fine restaurants and museums and in 2019 it topped a list of the most cultured cities in the UK.

Kingsmills

Where you could stay1 night

Kingsmills

This refined hotel is set in a mansion dating from 1786 within 4 acres of grounds, a ten minute walk from the centre of Inverness. Rooms are modern and comfortable, there’s a leisure club with indoor pool, hot tub, fitness room,  sauna, steam room and a spa, as well as a restaurant overlooking the gardens and whisky bar.

Find out more

Recommendations

  • The Highlands are home to some of the UK’s darkest skies. Head out on a stargazing tour with astronomer Stephen Mackintosh and you’ll spot constellations, planets and maybe even the Milky Way. Stephen provides binoculars as well as his 200mm telescope, and he will guide you through some of the history and dynamics behind many of the objects visible.

  • Enjoy haggis-loaded fries, jackfruit stovies or pizza at one of Inverness' many vegan-friendly hotspots. You can even find some locally made, artisan vegan cheese.

  • Head out on a cruise of Loch Ness (the UK's largest lake by volume) and take in the beauty of Urquhart Castle and tranquillity of the water.

Journey
1 night
12hrs 30mins
Standard class

InvernessLondon

In the evening, board the Caledonian Sleeper at Inverness station. Find your private cabin for the night and settle in for the journey as you speed down towards London while you sleep.

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

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