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Mallaig
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Your journey to the Highlands & Islands

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01 Dec 2023 - 06 Dec 2023

Departing from

Travellers & rooms

undefined Adult

161 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

  • Edinburgh

    1 night

  • Glasgow

    1 night

  • Mallaig

    Stop

  • Fort William

    2 nights

  • Sleeper with cabin

    1 night

  • London

Full itinerary

Journey
TRAIN
10:00 - 14:22
4hrs 30mins
Standard class
Photo by LNER

LondonEdinburgh

Take the scenic train ride from London to Edinburgh. You'll pass particularly fine landscapes for the last few hours of the journey, as beautiful countryside gives way to glimpses of Scotland's ruined castles and rugged coastlines.
Stay
1 night
Edinburgh

Edinburgh

Cobbled Medieval Old Town streets, commanding Neoclassical New Town buildings, and an impressive castle standing guard above it all... When it comes to drama, Edinburgh has no equal. Even outside of the famous Fringe Festival, the Scottish capital has a cultured and creative atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy live music, comedy and theatre, shopping at independent boutiques, and dining at some of the country's best restaurants. Climb Arthur's Seat for a breath of fresh air and a sweeping view of the city, or head out to the Forth of Firth for a bracing sea breeze.

Where you could stay1 night

Le Monde Hotel

Boutique hotel with rooms themed around world cities. Ideally located close to the train station and to Edinburgh's old town.

Find out more

Change your room

Recommendations

  • Linking the castle with Holyrood, the Royal Mile is Edinburgh's most famous street. On top of its long history and intriguingly diverse architecture, it's worth visiting because so many of the city's top attractions are clustered in the narrow lanes and closes which branch off it. The High Kirk of St Giles, Scottish Poetry Library and subterranean tours of Mary King's Close are some of the most interesting.

  • Fancy something different? Join one of Bobcat Alpacas’ tours at their farm, and after learning how to handle an alpaca, you’ll take a walk with them in the foothills of the Pentlands.

  • Visit Edinburgh Castle and enjoy the 360-degree views across the city and its surrounding countryside. Don't miss seeing the eleventh-century St Margaret's Chapel, the oldest building in the complex, or the comprehensive National War Museum.

Journey
TRAIN
11:15 - 12:06
1hrs 10mins
Standard class
EdinburghGlasgow
Stay
1 night
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 stay1 night

Maldron Hotel Glasgow City

Byway favourite
Conveniently located in the centre of Glasgow, Maldron Hotel Glasgow City offers light, modern rooms, as well as a fitness centre, a restaurant and a bar.

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 - 13:35
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.

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

  • 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.

Journey
TRAIN
16:04 - 17:27
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

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

Change your room

Recommendations

  • 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.

  • 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
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

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