Skip to main content
Byway logo - Homepage
Fort William
5 days from
/person
Enquire

The West Highland Line

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

Journey at a glance

Trip overview

  • London

  • Glasgow

    2 nights

  • Mallaig

    Stop

  • Fort William

    2 nights

  • London

Full itinerary

Journey
09:30 - 14:02
4hrs 40mins
Standard class

LondonGlasgow

Head to London Euston to board a direct train to Glasgow.
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. 

citizenM Hotel Glasgow

Where you could stay2 nights

citizenM Hotel Glasgow

Modern stay located 450 yards from Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall. Stylish rooms, cocktail bar, a designer lobby and a 24-hour canteen. Glasgow Central Rail Station and the Buchanan Galleries shopping centre are less than a 10-minute walk away.

Find out more

Recommendations

  • Enjoy Glasgow's many vegan cafés and restaurants, which serve everything from raw cakes to handmade tofu and even fine-dining options. You'll have plenty of options if you'd like to enjoy some live music or arts with your vegan food, too, in one of the UK's most vegan-friendly cities.

  • 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.

  • 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.

Journey
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 take 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

  • 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.

  • 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.

Journey
16:05 - 17:30
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.

The Garrison

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

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.

  • 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.

Journey
11:40 - 15:34
3hrs 49mins
Standard class

Fort WilliamGlasgow

Experience one of the most scenic rail routes in the world, crossing Rannoch Moor and skirting the shores of Loch Lomond to reach Glasgow.
Journey
16:40 - 21:19
4hrs 40mins
Standard class
Photo by Su--May/CC BY 2.0/Flickr

GlasgowLondon

Take in rolling countryside views as you make your way south to London. The most beautiful part of the journey can be seen as you pass between the Yorkshire dales and Lake District national parks.

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

Trustpilot