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Mallaig
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Your journey to the Highlands & Islands

Choose your dates

10 Sep 2023 - 23 Sep 2023

Departing from

Travellers & rooms

undefined Adult

222 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

  • Glasgow

  • Oban

    2 nights

  • Fort William

    3 nights

  • Mallaig

    2 nights

  • Portree, Isle of Skye

    3 nights

  • Inverness

    3 nights

  • Glasgow

Full itinerary

Journey
TRAIN
3hrs 1mins
Standard class

GlasgowOban

Join the West Highland Line heading west from Glasgow and alight at Arrochar and Tarbet to stop at Loch Lomond in the Trossachs National Park. Enjoy a wander, cycle or kayak around the Loch Lomond (we can tell you where to leave your bag), then rejoin the train and settle back to soak up incredible views along the West Highland Line onwards to the port of Oban - one of the most scenic rail routes in the world.
Stay
2 nights
Oban
Photo by Timo Newton-Syms/CC BY-SA 2.0/Flickr

Oban

Often called the 'gateway to the Isles', Oban is a pretty west coast port town with excellent rail and ferry connections. The picturesque bay is lined with waterfront cafés and restaurants, overlooked by the circular McCaig's tower. 

Where you could stay2 nights

The Scot

A family-owned hotel, one minute from the seafront, with cosy rooms, a contemporary bar and plenty of local character.

Find out more

Change your room

Recommendations

  • Walk up to McCaig's Tower, built in 1897 to provide work for local stonemasons and as a monument to the McCaig family. Enjoy the views out to sea and visit the lovely gardens within.
  • Take a tour of Oban's whisky distillery for an insight into the wonders of traditional whisky production.
Journey
BUS
1hrs 32mins
Standard class

ObanFort William

Enjoy spectacular views on this beautiful coach ride from Oban to Fort William, taking in a dozen different sea lochs along the way.
Stay
3 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. With easy access to Ben Nevis and other munros (Scottish mountains), Fort William is a haven for walkers and climbers.

Where you could stay3 nights

The Garrison

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

Change your room

Recommendations

  • 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.

  • Catch the latest blockbuster or Scottish indie film at the family-run Highland Cinema, housed in a beautiful traditional building.

  • Within easy reach of Fort William, Ben Nevis is the UK's highest peak. Take a full day to climb to the top of the mountain or walk half an hour up the hill to the Ben Nevis Visitor Centre for one of their shorter and more sedate suggested walks. You can also explore the area by mountain bike on a selection of dedicated trails.

Journey
1hrs 22mins
Standard class

Fort WilliamMallaig

Travel via Scot Rail along the spectacular route that takes you over the 21 arched Glenfinnan viaduct to Mallaig – the iconic route to Hogwarts from the Harry Potter films.
Stay
2 nights
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.

Where you could stay2 nights

West Highland Hotel

Rooms here have incredible views across the Sound of Sleat to Skye. The chef serves up delicious food, including fresh, local seafood (and fabulous vegetarian/vegan alternatives) which can be enjoyed in the restaurant overlooking the sea - the dinnertime sunsets are particularly beautiful.

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Change your room

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
TRAIN
1hrs 22mins
Standard class

MallaigFort William

Take the ScotRail train inland to Fort William, tracing the rails of the iconic West Highland Line.
Journey
BUS
2hrs 58mins
Standard class

Fort WilliamPortree

Take the bus north, passing spectacular mountains and lakes, to the wild Isle of Skye.
Stay
3 nights
Portree, Isle of Skye
Photo by Katre, Byway traveller

Portree, Isle of Skye

A pretty town on the central east coast of Skye, with some of Scotland's best restaurants and cosiest pubs. It's a good base for the island, with the dramatic landscapes of the Cuillin Range to the west and the Trotternish Peninsula to the north.

Where you could stay3 nights

Coolin View Guest House

Cosy rooms in a striking historic building nestled above Portree Harbour. Enjoy dramatic views, colourful waterfront facades and fishing boats bobbing in the bay. Breakfast isn't offered, so we'll let you know our favourite breakfast spots nearby.

Find out more

Change your room

Recommendations

  • Rent a bike or e-bike to explore Skye on two wheels. Real Scottish Journeys can deliver your e-bike to you if you're staying in Portree, or arrange a suitable rendezvous.

  • Head north of Portree to Lealt Falls, one of the islan'ds lesser-visited spots, to see water cascading down a verdant gorge on the Trotternish Peninsula. A walk around the falls and up to the viewing platform offers spectacular views of the waterfall, cliffs and sea beyond.

  • Stroll Skye's diverse beaches, watching out for eagles overhead, and bundling up for nighttime stargazing under these rare skies free of light pollution.
Journey
4hrs 25mins
Standard class

PortreeInverness

Take the bus from Portree to Kyle of Lochalsh. Then make your way to the station to board the Kyle Line, one of Scotland’s most beautiful rail routes. Admire lush landscapes in the west and desolate hill country around Achnasheen before dropping gently down to the east coast.
Stay
3 nights
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.

Where you could stay3 nights

The Gatehouse

Byway favourite
The Gatehouse is a comfortable and well-established guest house, a 15-minute walk from Inverness's centre. Enjoy your hearty Scottish breakfast in the large family dining room.

Find out more

Change your room

Recommendations

  • The Moray Firth is home to the world’s northernmost pod of bottlenose dolphins. Climb aboard a low-impact boat with Dolphin Spirit and see these beautiful creatures up close.

  • 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.

  • From Inverness, head out on foot to the ancient fort of Craig Phadrig for beautiful views of the Beauly Firth.

Journey
3hrs 54mins
Standard class
InvernessGlasgow

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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